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The armed peace in Europe, image , image , image , image , image , …
The armed peace in Europe
Between 1870 and 1914, there was a period of what is known as the Armed Peace.
tension between the European countries was growing
The importance of the German empire
the role of the German Empire was important.
in 1871, it became the most important power in Europe because of its economic and military development.
There were two phases of German foreign policy during this period.
The Bismarckian system (1871-1890)
the German emperor Wilhelm I used diplomacy to maintain the balance of power between European countries.
The chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, established a system of alliances with
Austro-Hungarian Empire
the Russian Empire
Italy
The objectives were
to maintain Germany hegemony in Europe
to prevent France from declaring war on Germany
the main concern of other European countries would be to maintain friendly relations with Germany.
Bismarck managed to avoid conflict in Europe for twenty years.
to do this he had to strengthen the German army.
This forced the other countries to build up their armies because if they did not, their armies would be weaker than the German army if there was a war
This was known as the arms race.
The expansionist foreign policy of Wilhelm II (1890–1914)
the German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, who came to the throne in 1888
changed the system of alliances for an expansionist policy, focusing on obtaining a colonial empire that reflected Germany's growing economic power.
Bismarck disagreed with Wilhelm II on foreign policy issues and resigned from his position in 1890.
France and Russia did become allies because of France's economic investment in Russian industry.
They formed the Triple Entente (1907) with Russia in order to try to stop Germany's expansion.
Important about the Bismarckian system
The first system
in 1872 the Three Emperors' League was signed by
Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary
Tsar Alexander II of Russia
Wilhelm I of Germany
It failed due to rivalry between Austria-Hungary and Russia over control of the Balkans.
The second system
Between 1879 and 1882 various treaties were signed.
1881
the Alliance of the three emperors was re-signed
problems soon began to reappear between the Austrians and the Russians.
1882
the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
1879
the secret Double Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
The third system
in 1887, the Triple Alliance was renewed between
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Germany also signed a secret alliance with the Russian Empire, the Reinsurance Treaty
both countries promised to remain neutral if either went to war against another country.
