Germany’s Foreign Policy

under Bismarck 1870-1890

What is foreign policy? Give some examples of foreign policy. Typically, what are countries trying to

achieve with their foreign policy?

Preset:

Contain German nationalism to the boundaries of Germany created in 1871

Stabilize Europe to allow Germany to grow economically – no wars of reprisal◦ Maintain status quo among the Great Powers◦ Keep France and AH from attacking Germany

Prevent Germany from becoming politically/geographically surrounded ◦ Isolate France politically – NO allies ◦ Keep Russia in the German sphere of influence

Protect Germany’s new position of political dominance on the continent

Goals of Bismarck for Germany

Treaty of Frankfurt (1871) Germany annexed Alsace and N. Lorraine

◦ Coal, iron ore, textiles France pay indemnity 5 billion gold francs

◦ German army of occupation until paid Intended to weaken France economically to

prevent military rebuilding

Franco-Prussian War (1870)

Germany, Austria, Russia Three countries agreed to work out political

differences peacefully◦ Not truly an alliance

Isolated France from Austria and Russia Protected Germany’s eastern border Kept Germany from having to choose sides

btwn Austria and Russia ◦ Balkans – area of competition btwn Austria and

Russia

Three Emperors League (1873)“Dreikaiserbund”

Began over rebellions in Balkan provinces ◦ Bosnia-Herzegovina (1875)◦ Serbia and Montenegro (1876)

Russia defeated Turkey◦ Russian intervention motivated by Pan-Slavism

Treaty of San Stefano Gave too much territory to Russia around Black

Sea and straits◦ Allowed for BIG Bulgaria under Russian influence◦ Opposed by Britain and AH

Bismarck called for Conference in Berlin to resolve issues

Russo-Turkish War (1877)

Treaty of San Stefano nullified Russia kept territory south of Caucasus Serbia, Romania, Montenegro independent Bulgaria – still part of Ottoman Empire with

greater autonomy - smaller AH – administer Bosnia-Herzegovina (still

part of OE) GB – island of Cyprus Fr – expand to Tunisia Russia – pulled out of Three Emperors League

Congress of Berlin (1878)

Germany and Austria-Hungary Both would go to war against Russia if one

was attacked by Russia If either partner attacked by different

nation, the other one would remain neutral Bismarck wanted to secure the southern

flank of Germany Wanted insurance against Russia since

Russia dropped out of the Dreikaiserbund Influenced hand in Balkan issues

Dual Alliance (1879)

Tariff against Russian grain imports ◦ Profits from corn exports provided basis for

Russian industrial expansion Further alienates Russia from Germany

Tariff Act of 1879

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia Russia feared diplomatic isolation War with fourth Great Power – powers would remain

neutral with each other Remain neutral if one of the contracting parties wars

with Turkey Recognize each others interests in the Balkans

◦ Agree to consult each other over issues related to the Balkans

Austria conceded to future unified Bulgaria for future annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina

Russia got the straits and Black Sea closed to warships

Three Emperors Alliance (1881)

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy ◦ Italy upset over French occupation of Tunisia

Germany and Austria-Hungary assist Italy if Italy attacked by France

Italy assist Germany and AH if Germany and AH attacked by two other Great Powers

Raised Italy’s status in sphere of European politics

Triple Alliance (1882)

Divided the region of the Congo between Belgium and France

Congo River – area of free trade Attempt to resolve European differences

created over colonization in Africa Established rules for creating new colonies

in Africa ◦ European powers must occupy territory in order to

claim territory Created the “Scramble for Africa”

Berlin Congress – Africa (1884)

Bismarck initially opposed colonial development – saw “Europe as his Africa”◦ Initially thought colonies waste of money,

resources, and created unnecessary political tension

Why begin to colonize?◦ Kolonialverein – national movement pushed for

colonization◦ Appease industrialists and free-traders –

expansion of foreign markets ◦ Protect foreign markets in Africa and Pacific where

German merchants already active

German Colonial Empire (1884-1885)

German colonies:◦ Togoland ◦ Cameroon◦ German East Africa ◦ German West Africa◦ New Guinea ◦ Pacific islands

Two agreements signed in 1887 Maintain the borders of the Ottoman Empire in the

Mediterranean and Balkans region◦ Great Britain, Italy, Austria-Hungary

GB – protection for Egypt AH and Italy – security for future interests in Balkans

◦ Brokered by Germany Act as a stop against Russian expansion against Ottoman

Empire, aggression against Bulgaria, influence in the Balkans region

Agreed to take military measures to enforce

Mediterranean Agreements (1887)

Germany and Russia Bismarck wanted to avoid Franco-Russia

alliance Germany recognized Russian influence in

Bulgaria ◦ Goes against AH interest in Balkan region

Each remained neutral in a war fought by the other against a third party

Reinsurance Treaty (1887)

EXCEPT: If Germany attacked France If Russia attacked Austria

The Reinsurance Treaty will NOT be renewed after Bismarck dismissed by Wilhelm II

Evaluate the effectiveness of Germany’s foreign policy under Bismarck.

Was he successful in achieving his goals?

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