THE ARMED PEACE IN EUROPE
ARMED PEACE
in Europe
between 1870 and 1914
was called because...
tension between the European countries
was growing
manufacturing weapons
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE
The role of the German Empire
After the unification of Germany
it became the most important power in Europe
economic development
military development
The Bismarckian system (1871–1890)
Two phases
The Bismarckian system (1871–1890)
The expansionist foreign policy of Wilhelm II (1890–1914)
The Bismarckian system
the first phase
the German emperor Wilhelm I
Otto von Bismarck
objectives
diplomacy to maintain the balance of power
between European countries
established a system of alliances
with
Austro-Hungarian Empire
the Russian Empire
Italy
Bismarckian alliance system
The second system
The third system
The first system
maintain Germany hegemony in Europe
European countries would be to maintain friendly relations with Germany
prevent France from declaring war
to recover Alsace-Lorraine
lost during the unification of Germany
foreign policy
Bismarck managed to avoid conflict
European countries to build up their armies
strengthen the German army
arms race
The expansionist foreign policy of Wilhelm II (1890–1914)
Three Emperors' League
failed due to rivalry
signed by
Franz Joseph
Austria-Hungary
Wilhelm I of Germany
Tsar Alexander II of Russia
russia
balkans
1881
1882
1879
Triple Alliance between
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Germany
Alliance of the three emperors was re-signed
problems reappear
Austria
Russia
secret Double Alliance
Germany
Austria-Hungary
1887
Triple Alliance
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Germany
secret alliance with the Russian Empire
Reinsurance Treaty
In the second phase...
German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II
changed the system of alliances
expansionist policy
colonial empire
Germany's growing economic power
Bismarck
resigned from his position in 1890
disagreed with Wilhelm II on foreign policy
not renew the Reinsurance Treaty with the Russian Empire
France and Russia did become allies
political hegemony
concern in France and Great Britain
formed the Triple Entente (1907)
with Russia
try to stop Germany's expansion