Bismarck's Foreign Policy 1871-1890

Question 1

When was the German Empire proclaimed and where?

Answer 1

1871 Palace of Versailles

Question 2

What did Disraeli call the Franco-Prussian war?

Answer 2

the German revolution

Question 3

State of the other European nations in 1870s

Answer 3

France - recovering from defeat
Austria - recovering from defeat
Russia - as interested in Central Asia as in Europe
Britain - still in her isolationist interlude

Question 4

Carr quote about Bismarck’s change in tactics

Answer 4

The ‘nationalist’ poacher had to become an imperial gatekeeper preserving the status quo of 1871 if Germany was to survive.

Question 5

What/who was the chief danger to the order of things in 1871?

Answer 5

France. The annexation of Alsace-Lorraine intensified national resentment of Germany and in the early 1870s her rapid military reorganisation on German lines and the prompt repayment of the indemnity of 1873 surprised and alarmed many Germans.

Question 6

How did Bismarck contain the French and avoid a fresh conflagration?

Answer 6

By establishing an ‘entente à trios’, a three emperors league between Austria, Russia and Germany.

Question 7

Why was friendship with Russia essential?

Answer 7

To preserve the status quo in the east, where all three had Polish subjects to keep in order. For geographical reasons as well. Germany faced the real danger of war on two fronts if she was on bad terms with both simultaneously. As relations with France were bad, the line to St.Petersburg had to remain open.

Question 8

Why was friendship with Austria important?

Answer 8

Because it deprived France of a potential ally and because it gave Bismarck a welcome degree of independence in his dealings with Russia. Not completely dependent on Russia for protection or tied to closely to their foreign policy against Britain.

Question 9

Why was Austria anxious to build a friendship with Germany?

Answer 9

Because of the growing antagonism of Russia in the Balkans.

Question 10

Why was Russia anxious to build a friendship with Germany?

Answer 10

Because she did not want to face a hostile coalition of European powers if war broke out with Asia.

Question 11

Why were Austria and Russia in conflict/ why was their relationship tense?

Answer 11

Francis Joseph bluntly refused to sign the military convention agreed by William I and Tsar Alexander II.

Question 12

What were the terms of the Three Emperors’ League?

Answer 12

Three emperors could agree only to consult on matters of common interest or if a third power disturbed the peace of Europe.

Question 13

“War-in-sight crisis”

Answer 13

1875
Bismarck tried to scare France into abandoning her rearmament. The export of horses to France was forbidden - usually a prelude to mobilisation and an article in the Berliner Post was published entitled ‘Is war in sight?’. Moltke and Radowitz hinted that influential Germans favoured preventative war. This was relayed to Paris. French foreign minister Decazes immediately asked Brit and Russia for protection. In May the British and Russian ambassadors made their joint démarche in Berlin. The Tsar and his chancellor, Prince Gortschakov, paid a visit to Berlin to reinforce the warning. Bismarck soon convinced his visitors that the rumours of preventative war were false and they departed satisfied.

Question 14

What was the outcome of the ‘War-in-sight’ crisis?

Answer 14

Ended in defeat for Germany and diplomatic victory for France. Britain and Russia would not allow Germany to destroy France and become absolute master of Europe. Impressed in Bismarck the upmost need for caution in the future.

Question 15

What destroyed the Three Emperors’ League completely?

Answer 15

The Near Eastern Crisis of 1877-78. In November 1876 the Tsar was converted to Panslavism and decided to pursue a forward policy in defence of the Slav people regardless of Austrian wishes.

Question 16

Why didn’t Bismarck want to get involved?

Answer 16

He didn’t want to drive either Austria or Russia into the arms of France by not siding with them over an issue in the Balkans. ‘cauchemar des coalitions’. He refused to join an Austro-German alliance against Russia but equally evaded answering the Tsar’s question in December 1876 whether Germany would remain neutral in a war between Austria and Russia. A balance between the two, not the victory of either, was his objective.

Question 17

What was agreed between Russia and Austria if Russia attacked Turkey?

Answer 17

Jan 1877. Austria promised to remain neutral provided Russia promised that no large Slav state would be created in the Balkans.

Question 18

How long did the Russo-Turkish War last?

Answer 18

A year 1877-78.

Question 19

When was the San Stefano peace imposed on Turkey?

Answer 19

Spring 1878.

Question 20

What was the most important feature of the S.S. treaty?

Answer 20

Proposal to create a large Bulgaria with a foothold on the Aegean Sea.

Question 21

What was Britain’s reaction?

Answer 21

Disraeli sent the fleet to the Straits, and War seemed imminent. Fear that Bulgaria would be a Russian satellite.

Question 22

When did a congress of Powers meet and where?

Answer 22

June 1878 in Berlin.

Question 23

What was Bismarck’s role in the congress?

Answer 23

An ‘honest broker’ seeking no territorial gain for Germany but intent only on arranging a settlement which would leave the balance of power unaltered. At critical moments, especially over Bulgaria, his energetic intervention saved the day, and in general he established a new reputation for himself as a peace maker.

Question 24

Why did the Near Eastern crisis deal a ‘mortal blow’ to the Three Emperors’ League?

Answer 24

Russia left Berlin a dissatisfied power - had been cheated if her just reward - looked for a scapegoat in Germany - the Panslav press accused Bismarck of leading an anti-Russian conspiracy at the congress despite Bismarck’s protest.

Question 25

Why else did Russia start to resent Germany in 1879?

Answer 25

Bismarck had just passed protectionist tariffs against Russian wheat to conciliate Junkers at home. This deepened anti-German feeling in a country so dependent on exports for its modernisation.

Question 26

What policies did Bismarck pass in 1879 to persuade Russia that she could not do without Germany?

Answer 26

Bullying tactics. Banned the import of Russian cattle, in February he announced the cancellation of a plebiscite in North Schleswig.

Question 27

What was Russia’s reaction?

Answer 27

Tsar offended on account of marriage ties in the region. In retaliation the Russians strengthened their frontier garrisons and made soundings in Italy for an alliance. In August the tsar warned William I of the dangers of Bismarck’s spiteful foreign policy. Bismarck realised the situation was getting out of hand.

Question 28

When was the Dual Alliance signed?

Answer 28

October 1879.

Question 29

What were the clauses of the Dual Alliance? And what compromise did Bismarck have to make?

Answer 29

Mutual defence pact against Russia, and neutrality in case of war with other European powers. Germany was bound to aid Austria-Hungary in the event of a Russian attack but Austria-Hungary was not bound to support Germany against France.

Question 30

Was the alliance with Austria-Hungary part of Bismarck’s grand design?

Answer 30

No. The alliance was a temporary expedient to preserve the precarious balance of power in the Balkans by warning Russia off Austria. He never wavered in his belief that the the ‘entente a trois’ was Germany’s salvation. During the negotiations he suggested that Russia be brought in but the Austrians flatly rejected this idea.

Question 31

Was Bismarck successful in winning William I support for his foreign policy?

Answer 31

Yes, he forced the Emperor’s hand by threatening resignation. Wilhelm I did not want to sign the Dual alliance for fear it would offend Russia.

Question 32

What was the outcome of the alliance with Austria-Hungary?

Answer 32

It strengthened Austria against Russia and insured that she would not seek allies elsewhere. It also helped to reconcile Catholics to the Empire, and did something to bring the two German-speaking people together for the first time since 1866 by creating an identity and interest in the field of foreign policy. Most importantly Russia felt isolated and anxious for an understanding with Germany.

Question 33

When did Gortschakov, the Russian chancellor, retire?

Answer 33

1880. Replaced by conciliatory Giers.

Question 34

Who is the new foreign minister in Vienna and what did he want?

Answer 34

Haymerle, a bitter Russophobe, sought an alliance with Britain, the natural enemy of Russia. Luckily for Bismarck the anti-Russian and pro-Austrian Conservatives were defeated in 1880 and, Gladstone the great enemy of Austria, came to power.

Question 35

When was the three Emperors’ alliance signed?

Answer 35

June 1881

Question 36

What were the terms of the three Emperors’ alliance?

Answer 36

It lasted three years. It stated that if one of the three powers was at war with a fourth power the others would remain. neutral. They also pledged themselves to keep the Sraits closed to foreign warships and declared that they would permit no changes in the Balkans status quo except by mutual agreement. If one of them went to war with Turkey the other two promised to remain neutral on condition that prior agreement had been agreed about territorial changes after the war. The eastern half of the Balkans was to be a Russian sphere of influence the western half an Austrian sphere. Russia recognised the right of Austria Hungary to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina. In return Austria acknowledge Bulgaria was in the Russian state of influence and promised to raise no projection to the union of Eastern Roumelia and Bulgaria.

Question 37

Why did the three Emperors’ alliance please Russia?

Answer 37

Her partners had written off half the Balkans and promised not to side with Britain should she attack Russia. They were even committed to opposing Britain actively should she try to force the Sultan to open the Straits. These gains did something to reinsure Russia against the effects of the Austrian German alliance, although she continue to send the existence of an alignment directed against her.

Question 38

Why did the three emperors’ alliance please Bismarck?

Answer 38

The Russians had come back to the triple alliance. “I knew that the Russians would come to us once we had pinned the Austrians down.”

Question 39

Why did Italy seek an alliance with Austria in 1882?

Answer 39

In 1881 France and occupied Tunis and public opinion was outraged, forcing the government to seek allies. Bismarck saw that an alliance with Italy would deprive France of a potential ally and relieve Austria Hungary in the event of war in the Balkans. It would also bolster the crown in Italy and reduce the likelihood of radicals overthrowing the monarchy. The negotiations between Rome and Vienna were reactivated and led to the triple alliance of 1882.

Question 40

What were the terms of the triple alliance of 1882?

Answer 40

It lasted five years and committed the signatories to uphold the monarchical principle and existing social and political order. More specifically the three partners agreed to aid each other if one or more was attacked without provocation on their part by two or more powers. In an Austro-Russian war Italy would remain neutral, and in a Franco-German war Italy would aid Germany but Austria would stay neutral and if France attacked Italy both A and G would aid their ally.

Question 41

Why was Italy pleased with the triple alliance?

Answer 41

It gained them prestige and encouraged Italy to embark on colonial adventures in the Red Sea area.

Question 42

Why was Austria pleased with the triple alliance?

Answer 42

The assurance of Italian neutrality enabled her to switch four army corps from the southern frontier in an emergency. (The famous Quadrilateral)

Question 43

What did Germany gain from the triple alliance?

Answer 43

Very little. Promised to defend Italy against French aggression in return for an Italian promise to aid Germany against France but Italy only had a small army. Bismarck carefully restrained Italy in Africa, just as he restrained Austria in the Balkans. Its long term significance was to ally Germany with a restless and ambitious power whose basic hostility to Austria Hungary was masked only by her desire for an African empire. In a sense the intended outcome of this marks diplomacy was to ally Germany with two unstable powers, one of which ended up fighting Germany while the other plunged recklessly into a world war.

Question 44

What was the structure of the triple alliance supplemented with?

Answer 44

A secret agreement with Serbia in 1881 which turned the country into an Austrian satellite, also by an agreement with Romania in 1883 which provided for joint military action against Russian aggression.

Question 45

When was the triple alliance renewed?

Answer 45

In 1884 and Bismarck even managed to be on tolerably good terms with France.

Question 46

When was the high noon of the Bismarckian international system?

Answer 46

1884

Question 47

When was the Kolonialverein founded and what did it push for?

Answer 47

In 1882, and it agitated for colonies on economic grounds and as a sign of national greatness.

Question 48

What were the economic and political factors for Bismarck’s change to sudden embrace of colonial empire building?

Answer 48

The state was intervening more extensively in overseas trade as the unavoidable consequence of the transition from freetrade to protection. Colonialism was a convenient stick with which to beat radicals and socialists at the 1884 elections.

Question 49

What colonies did Germany acquire in Africa and when?

Answer 49

Germany acquired South-West Africa, Togoland, the Cameroons, German East Africa and some Pacific Islands between 1884 and 1885. They were intended only to encourage German traders and never became military bases during his lifetime. He also insisted that all administrative costs be borne by the chartered companies, not by the Reich.

Question 50

Bismarck quote about Africa.

Answer 50

My map of Africa lies in Europe. Here is Russia and here is France and we are in the middle; that is my map of Africa.

Question 51

What was Bismarck’s underlying motivation for acquisition of Germany’s new colonies?

Answer 51

Active cooperation with France in the colonial field might be the first step to pursuing lasting reconciliation with France. By picking quarrels with Britain over German colonial claims he aligned Germany on the side of France. Together they opposed British financial reform in Egypt and supported each others’ colonial claims. The Franco-German entente reached its high water mark at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 - called to regulate affairs of Central Africa.

Question 52

Proof of success of Franco-German entente?

Answer 52

In 1885 France joined with the Triple Alliance powers in warning the sultan of Turkey not to accede to the British request to send a force through the Straits to protect Afghanistan from Russia.

Question 53

AJP Taylor quote about Afghanistan crisis averted in 1885

Answer 53

The most effective display of continental solidarity between Napoleon’s continental system and the Russo-German pact of 1939.

Question 54

How long did the solidarity of the European Great Powers last?

Answer 54

It was short lived

Question 55

When did the Franco-German entente collapse?

Answer 55

When Jules Ferry, the French PM fell from power and a revanchist General Boulanger became minister of war in January 1886. In some ways the failure of Bismarck’s brief reconciliation was inevitable as France was willing to cooperate with Germany over colonies, but she avoided talk of a general entente and the prospect of regaining Alsace-Lorraine was always in the back of her mind.

Question 56

What else damaged the solidarity of the European Great Powers in 1885?

Answer 56

The Near Eastern question erupted once more.
September 1885 Prince Alexander of Bulgaria engineered the union of Eastern Roumelia with Bulgaria.
Russia deeply resented the unilateral action and demanded a return to the status quo.
In November Serbia attacked Bulgaria, fearing Alexander’s ambitions were growing.
Bulgarians defeated the Serbs at Slivnitza and prepared to invade Serbia.
Alexander only accepted an armistice when Austria-Hungary threatened to enter the war in Serbia’s defence.

Question 57

Outcome of the Bulgarian Crisis of 1885

Answer 57

Strained Austro-Russian relations to breaking point (Austria threatened to go to war with Bulgaria if she invaded Serbia)
Bismarck, anxious to remain friends with both powers, had to inform Austria bluntly that Germany would not fight Russia over this issue.
Austria and Russia finally agreed to the union of Eastern Roumelia and Bulgaria.

Question 58

When did the Bulgarian crisis reignite?

Answer 58

August 1886. Prince Alexander was kidnapped by pro-Russian officers and later ordered to abdicate by the tsar. Russia sent a general to take over as governor of Bulgaria. But Bulgarians resisted. In November the tsar broke off diplomatic relations and it seemed probable that Russia would invade. This would have led Austria to intervene hoping she could gain more territory. In the end Russia did not invade, but the situation remained tense for months.

Question 59

Why did Bismarck’s fears of France suddenly revive in 1886?

Answer 59

General Boulanger’s army reorganisation was well under way.
Nationalists in France now talked openly of a war of revenge in alliance with Russia.
In November 1886 the tsar remarked to the French ambassador that Russia and France must rely on each other in the troubled times that lay ahead.

Question 60

When was the renewal of the Triple Alliance?

Answer 60

February 1887

Question 61

What concessions did Bismarck have to make to Italy in this Triple Alliance?

Answer 61

Bismarck persuaded the reluctant Austrians to consult the Italians on all matters affecting the Balkans, the Adriatic and the Aegean, and to compensate her for alterations in the status quo there.
Germany promised military support for any retaliatory action taken by Italy in the event of French occupation in Tripoli or Morocco. If it came to war Germany agreed to support Italian demands for substantial territorial gains from France.

Question 62

Why weren’t these concessions/commitments as bad as they might seem?

Answer 62

Knowledge of the treaty would be enough to deter France from further expansion in North Africa.
In February 1887 Britain had effectively under-written these German commitments, as the foreign secretary wanted to end British isolation and stop French interference in Egypt.

Question 63

When was the First Mediterranean Agreement signed?

Answer 63

In March 1887, after Britain made an agreement with Italy committing both parties to the maintenance of the status quo in the Adriatic, Aegean and Mediterranean seas ‘autant que possible’. Britain asked Austria to join in, Bismarck encouraged this and in March the agreement was signed.

Question 64

Outcome of the First Mediterranean Agreement?

Answer 64

France was isolated.
Germany was less likely to be called upon to fulfil her obligations to Italy.
Italy had been kept away from France.
Britain had been associated, even if only indirectly, with the Triple Alliance Powers.

Question 65

When did the Triple Alliance expire and why?

Answer 65

Summer of 1887. Russia would not sign an agreement with Austria, only Germany.

Question 66

When was the Reinsurance Treaty signed?

Answer 66

June 1887.

Question 67

How significant was the Reinsurance treaty?

Answer 67

Bismarck called it the ‘corner-stone’ of his foreign policy.
This was a gross exaggeration. As his son Herbert remarked ‘the only value of it was that in an emergency it might keep the Russians off our necks for six or eight weeks longer than otherwise might have been the case’.

Question 68

In what ways was the Reinsurance treaty limited in its scope?

Answer 68

A Franco-Russian agreement to resist Austrian or German aggression was not excluded - this happened in the 1994 alliance.
If France attacked Germany, Russia promised neutrality. If Austria attacked Russia, Germany promised neutrality.
Russia had wanted a free hand against Austria in return for offering Germany a free hand against France, but Bismarck refused as it went against the terms of the 1879 treaty with Austria.

Question 69

Russo-German Relations after the Reinsurance treaty

Answer 69

Deteriorated.
Rapprochement between Russia and France. French PM greeted warmly on his tour of Russia in August 1887. In October Grand Duke Nicholas, toasting officers on board a French steamer, welcomed the prospect of war against Germany with France as an ally.
In March a ukase forbade foreigners from buying land in the western provinces, affecting many Germans in Russia and Poland. In retaliation the German press launched a campaign against Russian state loans. And in November Bismarck ordered the Reichsbank not to deal in Russian securities, to remove the possibility that the Russian would wage war ‘against us at our cost’. This only drove the Russians into the arms of the French, because French financiers were eager to accommodate them.