Transcript File
Casus Belli 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1871 Alliance system Nationalism Arms Race Sarajevo “The lights are going out” 1871 • • • • The world was a much better place in 1871 Capitalism had created abundant affluence La belle époque (the golden age) International law ensured everyone had rights and they were respected by others • But there was a serious gap between reality and theory –the Great Powers dominated - Britain, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, France • They were spokesmen for the Concert of Europe • Peace and stability was based on the balance of power • An attack against one was an attack against all • Liberal ideals were being replaced by more conservative thoughts • Western Europe was considered solidified national units • The unification of Germany had involved 3 wars and humiliated France • France lost the Franco-Prussian war and also Alsace and Lorraine • Alsace had been part of the HRE but had been French for over 200 years • Lorraine was wholly French in population • The Germans hoped the French would accept the loss – wrong! • A modern Europe required a German state, but which lands would that involve? • Nowhere did political frontiers match lines of nationality • Gladstone supported every countries’ claim to independence • Yet eastern Europe was a quilt of countries wanting independence • Rumania had been created in 1871 and had been ruled by the Turks, Germans, and Austrians • Poland was a bigger issue because it lay in the borders of 3 other countries – Prussia, Austria, and Russia • Bismarck had supported Russia repression of the Poles in exchange for Russian neutrality in the Franco-Prussian War 1870 • There where 4 great empires in eastern Europe: Germany, Russia, Austria, Turkey (Ottoman) • There were also 4 independent countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Rumania, Greece • They all shared 2 traits: a) hatred of the Turks b) the ability to be friends with Great Powers Austria • Austria had an empire but it wasn’t a nation – it was entirely comprised of minorities • 1860 Austria was defeated by the French • 1866 Austria was defeated by the Germans • By 1867 Austria was neither a German nor Italian power but it had millions of both • In 1867 Austria-Hungary was created – 2 countries – 1 ruler, hence the Dual Monarchy • Hungary was ruled by the Magyars, very pro-German and anti-Slav and anti-Russian • Nobody could afford a war • There would be no winner • The growth of pacifism -war was a thing of the past - we were civilized. • Europe had seen almost 100 years of peace (1871 minor war) • It would be the localized Third Balkan War that would become World War I • • • • • Business prevented any island from being isolated Foreign investment was so large Better communication, cheap newspapers Better educated people Even victory would be expensive Ivan Bloch - The Future of War Norman Angell The Great Illusion (1910) won the Nobel Prize • The problem was that there was no means for negotiating peace European countries controlled the world Germany - won the Franco-Prussian war, gained Alsace and Lorraine, wanted to isolate France, economic stability, led by the Iron Chancellor Bismarck, little interest in colonialism, unified. France - lost Alsace and Lorraine, weak military, imperialistic in Asia and Africa. Great Britain - “splendid isolation”, colonial conflicts with France and Russia Austria - wanted to limit Slavic nationalism on southern border and hostile nationalism within the borders Russia - very imperialistic throughout the century – but overland: in the Balkans; disputes with Austria over Slavs; Ottomans; Japanese Italy - interest in North Africa led to disputes with France. The Balkans - a politically unstable region comprised of many ethnic groups. Mostly Christian. United States - not involved in global affairs The Age of Bismarck • The main cause was the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1) and the peace that followed a) marked the end of Napoleon III b) unification of Germany under Prussia • Treaty of Frankfurt: 1. France paid 5B francs 2. Gave up Alsace and Lorraine • Germany was unified and powerful – Bismarck’s goals • BUT Alsace didn’t want to be German • The balance of power had shifted – Russia and Britain were roughly the same France and Austria were weak Italy wanted to be a player after unification • Bismarck wanted to help: a) French expansion in N. Africa b) Try to make friends c) Hope France forgets Sedan d) Ignore colonialism (fear the French and Russians) e) Stop France finding allies The Three Emperors’ League • Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia • Governments would consult on matters of mutual interest – or – aid if any were attacked • Austria was able to make friends with her enemy of 1866 Russia desired a conservative Europe Germany wanted to avoid a war on two fronts Russo-Turkish War • “sick man of Europe” By 1870 the Ottoman Empire was in decline: poor leadership, racial tension, nationalism • Small Balkan countries wanted Independence Large European powers want land/ports • Austria and Russia wanted the Balkans Britain and France wanted the Near East • Turkey’s security was she had so many enemies who couldn’t agree • 1875 a revolt started in Bosnia and Hezegovenia • Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria joined in • 1877 Russia joined against Turkey Russia wanted the Dardanelles But also Pan-Slavism was a major factor • Turkey was eventually defeated and accepted Russian peace terms – Treaty of San Stefano • San Stefano – 1878 – a) autonomy for the Balkans b) Russia got Bessarabia and money • This alarmed the rest of Europe • Britain contemplated war with Russia • Austria worried about Russia being in the Balkans and also considered war • Bismarck called for the Congress of Berlin in 1878 • The Congress demolished the treaty (shock to the Russians) • Russia got much less of Turkey Serbia and Montenegro get Independence Britain gets Cyprus The French move from Algeria into Tunis Austria gets control of Bosnia and Herzegovina Italians get nothing • Bismarck is the ‘honest broker’ • Russia felt deserted by her ally Germany The Dual Alliance of 1879 • Bismarck seemed happy with the situation in Europe but was desperate to keep Russia and Austria at peace. BUT he couldn’t take sides • He replaced the Three Emperor’s League with the Dual Alliance [Germany and Austria] • A defensive alliance it was designed to last 5 years it did not expire until 1918 • Many thought it forced Russia toward France • Bismarck believed Russia could not look west Three Emperor’s League Renewed • 1881 Russia, Austria, and Germany resigned the Three Emperor’s League • If one country was at war with a fourth country the other two would remain neutral • Relieved Germany’s “two front” fear • Austria received the rights to administer BosniaHerzegovina Russia was assured the straits would remain closed to all other nations France was alone The Triple Alliance 1882 • • • • 1882, Italy asked to join the Dual Alliance Italy wanted an empire and had been looking at Tunis France moved faster and established a protectorate Germany and Austria signed a defensive agreement with Italy against France • Germany had terms with 4 of the 5 major powers, only Britain remained alone; France was isolated • In 1885 another Balkans crisis caused problems between Russia and Austria The Bulgarian Crisis 1885-7 • Bulgaria had lost the most at the Congress of Berlin • Bulgaria waged war against Serbia and quickly won, only Austria saved Serbia • Russia threatened to invade Bulgaria, and this caused Austria to worry • Britain and Austria forced a diplomatic agreement to stop a Russian dominated Balkans • Germany was forced to support Austria • The Three Emperors’ League came to an end • 1887 Russia would not resign the Emperors’ League, but they wanted a separate treaty with Germany • The Reinsurance Treaty was signed in 1887 If either country was at war the other would remain neutral • Germany was assured of not having a two-front war and Russian influence was recognized in the Balkans. And, Germany offered support over issues of the Straits. • Yet Russian gains were mostly paper gains • Mediterranean Agreement - Bismarck persuaded Britain, Austria, and Italy to respect the status quo in the Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa – thus countering the Russians • 1890 Bismarck had to step down as Chancellor – Dropping the Pilot” • Bismarck had been really successful: a) France was isolated b) Germany had more alliances than anyone c) England and Russia where on different sides Reemergence of France • Kaiser William II did not renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia • Germany tried to get Britain into the alliance system • 1890 Germany and Britain signed the AngloGerman Treaty – Britain refused to join the Triple Alliance • Russia felt threatened and started to look for new friends • France saw an opportunity and moved • Russia was against liberty, equality, and fraternity • France supported revolution • Germany believed they would find no common ground • But alliances are not friendships • The French made large loans to Russia and the French fleet visited Russia. The Russian navy visited France • A secret Military Convention was signed in 1894: If Germany attacked France – Russia would help If Germany attacked Russia – France would help Franco-Russian Alliance • France is no longer isolated • Continental armies were now fairly equal • France and Russia were linked in such a way that there could not be any more small conflicts • French relations with Britain were getting worse: conflict arose over China, North Africa, and especially Egypt Anglo-French Relations Fashoda Crisis • British and French armies met at Fashoda in Sudan • Sudan controlled the Nile – the Nile fed Egypt • The battle was delayed until London or Paris gave the order to fight • After six weeks of talks the French left • The French surrender was a national embarrassment – but France could not afford to hate Germany and Britain • France started to mend the bridges with Britain Anglo-German Relations • Britain did not want any kind of alliance – enjoyed ‘splendid isolation’ • But, the world seemed too big for Britain Russia wanted China France also involved in Asia and North Africa Turks were starting to cause problems • Perhaps Britain needed an ally – perhaps it could be their German cousins • Britain had long wanted the The Orange Free State and Transvaal in South Africa • Dr Leander Starr Jameson led a raid into the Transvaal to defeat the Boers and set off a revolt • The plan failed badly and Continental opinion supported Transvaal and President Kruger • 1896 the Kaiser sent a telegram to Kruger congratulating him • Britain saw two problems: a) embarrassment over the failure (even though the government disavowed any knowledge) b) the offer (discrete) of German help to Transvaal • Germany wanted to see how isolated Britain was • The British turned even more anti-German • 1898 Britain did propose a defensive alliance with Germany but Germany was very cool about it • Germany doubted the British and didn’t want to offend Russia • Following the raid the Boer War proved two things: a) the British were not all-powerful b) the intensity of anti-British feelings around the world • Chamberlain suggested an alliance between Britain, Germany, and the United States • Germany refused • Britain turned to Japan • 1902 Britain and Japan signed the AngloJapanese alliance – aimed at Russian expansion in Asia • 1898 Germany started building its huge navy. Germany must have an empire to show her greatness and a navy to protect it • This forced the British to increase their navy Entente Cordiale • Britain’s problems seemed to be colonial not continental – if her enemies united . . . • 1904 formal negotiation were completed with France – Entente Cordial – not an alliance a) settle all colonial disputes b) England got Egypt c) France got Morocco • Not directed towards Germany, but England was no longer isolated Russo-Japanese War • 1904 Japan went to war with Russia, and attacked the Russian fleet at port Arthur • Russia Baltic fleet attacked “Japanese” boats in the North Sea (British fishing vessels) • France kept Britain and Russia from war • The Russia fleet was eventually defeated by the Japanese at Tsushima • Treaty of Portsmouth (NH) ended the war and stopped Russian ambition in the East • - Russia also had the Revolution of 1905 Moroccan Crisis • 1905 Germany declared support for Moroccan independence and demanded an international conference on Morocco • Germany would demand an Open Door policy – France would object and be outvoted • The French suggested compromise but were rejected • The meeting was at Algeciras, Spain • The Germans appeared as bullies and lost every vote • Germany was isolated – Entente was strong Triple Entente • 1907 Russia and Britain signed another entente. Persia was divided between Russia and Britain with a neutral zone in the middle • 1907 France also joined the entente • France now had two of the four powers as her allies • Germany now faced the possibility of an enemy on two fronts Bosnia – Annexation Crisis • 1908 – Austria tried to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina – which they had the right to administer (Congress of Berlin) • Austria felt the need to show her strength • Aehrenthal (foreign minister) made a deal with Russia: Russia wouldn’t interfere Austria would allow Russian ships through the Straits • Austria claimed the countries – Russia couldn’t believe they had acted so fast • Serbia was the most angered and called for war • Britain and France supported their Russian ally • Russia could not afford a European war so they pacified the Serbians • War was averted Second Moroccan Crisis 1911 • 1911 a native uprising in Morocco caused more problems • The French intervened • Germany reminded everyone that Morocco was still independent • The German gunboat Panther appeared in Agadir harbor • The Germans offered to leave the French if the French gave Germany the French Congo • The Germans appeared political amateurs • Britain feared German naval build-up and so supported France • Germany got a worthless piece of Africa while France got the rights to Morocco Troubles with Turkey The Tripolitian War, 1911-12 • The Italians also wanted to copy the French • They planned to take Tripoli from the weak Turks – even though the area was worthless • They made sure all the European powers were in accord, but it did cause a potential problem with Triple Alliance and allying with France • Italy moved closer to France • 1912 the Turks gave Tripoli to Italy – renamed Libya The Balkan Wars, 1912-13 • Encouraged by Italy’s success, the Balkans wanted their independence for Turkey • Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece united supported by Russia • Militarily the four defeated Turkey, but diplomatically the did less well • They all shared Macedonia, but Austria prevented Serbia from getting Albania and the coast • By 1913 Turkey ceased being a European power • 1913 Bulgaria attacked Greece and Serbia • The Second Balkan War ended in a few months with Bulgaria losing • It would be from this insignificant war that the First World War would evolve