Unit #6, The Early 20th Century – THE WARSLesson #1 – THE ROAD TO WAR (CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I)

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I. Growing International Conflict

A. The New Germany

B. Bismarck fired

C. The Alliances

D. Conflicts prior to war

II. The Mood of 1914

A. Militarism

B. Mobilization

C. Brinksmanship

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III. The Outbreak of War

A. Archduke Frans Ferdinand

B. Serbian nationalism

C. The Balkan Wars of 1912 & 1913 (and the impact)

D. Reaction to the assassination of 1914

E. How a regional conflict came to include Russia and Germany

F. How a four-nation conflict became WWI (by use of the Schlieffen Plan)

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The changing role of GermanyNew German Empire proved itself to be powerful, but peaceful (1870-1890)Bismarck: the creator of Peace through conferences

1. Berlin Conference of 1878Goal: negotiate peace treaty after Russo-Turkish War, 1875-1876

Russia & Serbia attacked & defeated Ottomans in region, 1876Result: Treaty of San Stefano, 1878

Russia – took the DardanellesSerbia took Bosnia from Ottomans

Other European powers saw this as an upset to Bal. of PowerBismarck called for a conference –Berlin Conference of 1878

1. Britain got Cyprus2. France was encouraged to occupy Tunisia3. Austria-Hungary got to control Bosnia-Herzegovina

4. Russia lost control of Dardanelles 5. Serbia lost Bosnia to Austria Hungary

Russia resentful – expected support from GermanyHad saved Prussia from Napoleon in 1807

2. BERLIN CONFERENCE OF 1884 To prevent war over claiming land in AfricaBismarck was (again) leader in EuropeCreator of peace

In both cases, GERMANY GOT NOTHINGBut, Germany got to prove its clear leadership

Bismarck: the creator of peace through alliances

A. Three Emperor’s League, 1873-1878 Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia (three conservative nations)Keep France without alliesDissolved after Russo-Turkish War

B. Dual Alliance, 1879-1918 (was to last 5 years – renewed until 1918)Germany & Austria-HungaryBismarck was quite sure Russia would not seek alliance with Fr or Br

France – too revolutionaryBritain – too democratic

C. Three Emperor’s League renewal, 1881-1886 Russia feared being left alone – sought renewed relationshipAgreed to remain neutral if attacked by another nationAlso – Austria could freely annex Bosnia any time

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Lifted fears: Russia – Austria would not befriend BritainGermany – no Russian alliance with France

D. Triple Alliance, 1882-1914 Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (Italy joined Dual Alliance)Italy wanted more power to threaten France in Northern Africa

E. Reinsurance Treaty, 1887 Germany & RussiaThree Emperor’s League had collapsed

Bismarck wanted to avoid Russo-French allianceBoth nations would remain neutral if attacked

Bismarck’s alliances had created Balkan peace & German securityGermany was clearly powerful, but used power for peace

THE NEW GERMANY – UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP in 1890William II was different, with a different vision

29 year old ambitious and arrogant manself conscious of withered left armovercompensated with bombastic rhetoric & mil. Bearingfilled with sense of German destiny to lead Europedesired a navy and colonial empire as great as Britain’sBismarck saw no need to senselessly competeClash led to firing; Bismarck was architect of peace

General Leo von Caprivi – hired as new chancellor”What kind of jackass will dare to be Bismarck’s successor?”refused Russian request to renew Reinsurance Treatyfelt unable to hold alliance system togetherhoped to pull Britain into a new kind of alliance

II. Post-Bismarck AlliancesA. Triple Alliance, 1882-1914

Germany could NOT lose Austria – a loyal ally

B. Franco-Russian Alliance, 1892 (sometimes called “the Dual Alliance”)France & RussiaTwo isolated nations joined in an allianceFrance saw Russia as raw investment opportunityRussia needed an ally

British & German Rivalry began to formWilliam II’s Grandmother – Queen VictoriaWilliam II had strange admiration & jealousy of Britain

Compete in industryCompete in size of navyBuilt up colonial empireMany Germans saw Britain as barrier to German greatnessBritish saw French as “devil” before 1900; after, it was the GermansWould build military, creating fear in enemies

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Britain became increasingly antagonisticPulled Austria closer as antagonism grew

C. Entente Cordiale, 1904-end of war Britain & FranceNot a military treaty, but a series of agreementsAllowed France free reign in MoroccoFrance recognized English ownership of Egypt

D. Triple Entente, 1907-1917 Russia, Britain, & France (Russia joined Entente Cordiale)Russia humiliated by Russo-Japanese WarRussia appeared to be embracing democracyBritain wanted to avoid Russia drifting back to GermanyEventually, Britain & France shared naval responsibilities

Britain – pulled ships out of Mediterranean to Baltic regionFrench – pulled ships from North and loaded Mediterranean

DIFFERENCES:A. Alliances that had been arranged by Bismarck

Bismarck’s goal: keep Germany safe by using system of alliancesIsolate France – no friendsAvoid intimidating Britain – “sea rats”

Keep Austria close – dominate their politicsKeep Russia close – a weak allyKeep Britain happy – allow them their overseas empireKeep France friendless

Avoid European war

B. New vision for William IIWilliam II would not be schooled by an employeeWilliam had a different vision for Germany

i. Greatness through intimidationii. Unraveled Bismarck’s system of alliances

C. Alliances re-created after BismarckReflected a younger generation

Keep Austria close – support them to prop them up in conflictBring Italy into alliance system

Cut Russia loose – an enemy of AustriaGet Britain to respect Germany - to want them as an allyDon’t worry about France – they’ll fear German might

Britain – went from indifferent to enemyRussia – went from weak ally to strong partner with FranceFrance – went from lonely and alone to strong with friends

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Germany – went from dominating to creating fearAll nations will respond

Examples of the New German Attitude:

1. William’s “Risk Theory”Build German navy so large to inflict severe damage to British navy

Then, Britain could not defeat another powerIdea absurd – just led to militarization of navies

British response – maintain navy as large as next two combined1 million tons 2 millions tons

1906 – British dreadnought – new mighty iron steam battleship1908 – Germans launched its own dreadnought

2. Ground Troop armies swelled, 1907-1913As France build forces, Germany respondedRussia responded, causing Austria & Germany to build forcesCausing France to build more, causing…

Russia & France increased 600%Germany & Austria increased 800%

Standing armies and reserves grew from 3 million to 20 million

Germany depended on two things to avoid war1. French & Russian & British fear of German war machine2. A strong Austrian Empire that refused to show weakness

Goal - Avoid a two-front warSchlieffen Plan, 1905

All nations had issues they expected others to understand

Reality: no one cared about the problems of others…

Czar Nicholas looking for a war, and needed to show strength

Germany had to back Austria, its only trusted ally

Britain needed to maintain colonial superiority

Austrians needed to control ethnic minorities

Serbians wanted to unite all Serbians

Austria secretly wanted to go to war with Serbia to absorb them

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