GERMANY S NEW COURSE AND BRITAIN S DIPLOMATIC REVOLUTION

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1 GERMANY S NEW COURSE AND BRITAIN S DIPLOMATIC REVOLUTION GERMANY S NEW COURSE : IMPETUS: Kaiser Wilhelm II became Emperor in 1888, forced legendary Chancellor Bismarck to retire in Decided to change course with Germany s foreign policy. NEW STRATEGY: Instead of maintaining good relations with Russia (and distracting them through imperialism), add Britain to the Triple Alliance as part of an anti-russian coalition. OUTCOMES: Franco-Russian Alliance (1891, 1894) led to rival alliances in Europe; Britain never joined Triple Alliance, but went in other direction [see at right] after Germany launched its naval building program; encirclement ; growing need to prop up Austria-Hungary as their only firm ally (1914 s Blank Check???). BRITAIN S DIPLOMATIC REVOLUTION : IMPETUS: Britain s friendless splendid isolation didn t look so good when Boer War increased international dislike or hatred of Britain s government. NEW STRATEGY: Create mostly non-binding friendships with nations (Japan, 1902; France, 1904; Russia, 1907) that can help patrol the oceans on behalf of British interests and counter German influence. OUTCOMES: Britain went down a road that led to the First World War, even though it made no firm commitments. However, Britain did improve its reputation among nations greatly when compared to the unilateral period.

2 AGREEMENTS REACHED: Jan. 1902: Alliance between Britain & Japan CONTEXT: * : Russia & Japan were headed to war over Manchuria & Korea * 1901: Japan proposed an alliance w/ Britain (J would fight R expansion in China if B could keep France out of such a war) * 1902: J & R close to peaceful settlement (Korea to J; Manchuria to R); this alarmed Britain, so they made alliance w/ J (Jan. 30) June 1902: Italy renews Triple Alliance, then closes ultra-secret deal with France * Two days after renewing w/ G & A-H, Italy promised neutrality in any war into which France had been provoked (or attacked first); Italy stayed neutral in : Austria-Hungary & Russia work together to prevent Macedonia conflict (cooperation lasts until 1908 Bosnian Crisis, but builds upon relative cooperation since 1881)

3 AGREEMENTS REACHED: Feb. 1904: Russo-Japanese War begins (J invasion of Port Arthur) * 1904: France will not assist (R is OK w/ this; also OK w/ French-British entente below) * 1904: In midst of war, Germany proposes alliance to Russia (no deal) * August 1905: Amidst 1905 revolution, Russia signs peace treaty (J wins) April 1904: Entente Cordiale reached by Britain & France * 1903: Negotiations to settle colonial disputes in Africa begin * April 8, 1904: Deal reached - NOT an alliance at all; F accepted B s rule of Egypt; B supported F taking control in Morocco (+ other smaller issues settled) * Concerning to Germany (set up First Moroccan Crisis situation) Aug. 1907: Russia & Britain agree to Entente settlement * Also NOT an alliance (sometimes called Triple Entente ) - settled Afghanistan (Russia stays out) & Persia/Iran (R gets north; B south) * Oops - G strategy assumed B & R would stay enemies & seek out G for help

4 BACKGROUND TO MOROCCAN CRISIS Late 1800s: FRANCE & SPAIN each made claims to Morocco * Spain = Western Sahara & Spanish Morocco. The rest is French. There was still a MOROCCAN government that wanted to be independent, but faced revolts in * France not yet ruling it as colony in 1900, but wanted it * Britain agreed to this in Entente Cordiale (1904) Complicating factor: GERMANY had won certain economic and trade rights inside Morocco

5 THE MOROCCAN CRISES: STARRING GERMANY AND FRANCE THE 1ST MOROCCAN CRISIS THE 2ND MOROCCAN CRISIS (1911) Germany publicly objected to French interference in Morocco Conference at Algeciras Likely German strategy: To test (and splinter) British-French friendship Result: Overall diplomatic defeat for Germany (even Italy voted against their position) Result: Conditions were set on France s future behavior in Morocco (minor German victory), but possible alliance w/ Russia slipped away German gunboat parked itself off Moroccan coast; refused to move Gunboat (The Panther) at Agadir Show the French they cannot break Algeciras agreement w/o complications? Britain stepped in to help negotiate a deal between France & Germany Results: Germany gained some land in the Congo, plus gunboat diplomacy reputation; France colonized Morocco

6 BOSNIAN CRISIS (1908) & JULY CRISIS (1914): AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (THEREFORE GERMANY) VS. SERBIA (THEREFORE RUSSIA - DUE TO PAN-SLAVISM, NOT ANY ALLIANCE) BOSNIAN CRISIS JULY CRISIS Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia- Herzegovina (1908) Serbia objected strongly; appealed to Russia for support Russia backed Serbian claims Germany bluntly threatened Russia with war* if they didn t back off Russia, lacking French support**, backed down; war averted Black Hand assassinated Austria- Hungary s heir (Franz Ferdinand) Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia; Germany issued Blank Check * Austria-Hungary sent harsh ultimatum to Serbia Assuming Russia s support, Serbia rejected one item; A-H declared war Russia went to general mobilization; didn t respond to Germany s order to halt; WAR * Many historians consider this a violation of the defensive intent and terms of the Triple Alliance (an offensive move). ** By contrast, France stuck to strictly defensive terms in There was no French Blank Check to Russia in 1914, but the Russians were led to believe they would have support if they were attacked this time.

7 THE BALKAN WARS: THE GREAT POWERS FAIL TO PREVENT THE NEW BALKAN STATES FROM CARVING THEIR TURKEY THE FIRST BALKAN WAR ( ) THE SECOND BALKAN WAR (1913) Italy s attack upon Ottoman Libya (Tripolitania) in 1911 sparks creation of the Balkan League Great Powers attempt to prevent war (even A-H & Russia write a note together, calling for peace!) Too late; tiny Montenegro attacked the Turks Oct. 8, hours before note from Powers arrived The other three Balkan League nations (Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria) joined the war Oct. 18, ,000 Balkan League troops vs. 450,000 Ottoman troops By Dec. 1912, the Balkan League had won (and the Italians had defeated the Turks as well) May 1913: The Treaty of London (Serbia angry - did not get Albania; Bulgaria angry - wanted more Macedonia) Territorial disputes between both Greece and Bulgaria, and Serbia and Bulgaria led to 2nd war Serbia and Greece formed alliance against Bulgaria Tsar Nicholas II proposed that he arbitrate to settle all disputes (Serbia, Greece reluctantly agreed) Bulgaria attacked Serbian & Greek troops before arbitration could occur* Rumania (not part of original war), looking for gains, quickly joined against Bulgaria Even the Turks entered the war against Bulgaria; successfully regained a chunk of European land! Second Balkan War: 870,000 troops vs. 60,000 Bulgarian troops; can you guess who won?