war in sight Flashcards
war in sight, why was Bismark concerned by Frances power?
1875 France had recovered from defeat by Germany in 1871 and they had a more aggressive royalist government, they were catholic and Bismark concerned they might encourage Catholic opposition domestically
war in sight, what had the French done that showed there support for Catholic Germans?
not stopped French Catholic bishops attacking the Kulturkampf, so in 1874 Bismark said there would be a threat to peace if they sided with the pope against German domestic policy
what were German military concerned about with France?
French Army Organisational Law 1873 which increased the number of French infantry battalions from 3 to 4
what did the FAOL mean?
the French had 800,000 trained men ready to use in case of military conflict, which was an increase of 80,000
what had Moltke considered in response to FAOL?
a defensive war where Germnay were to attack France before the France had an opportunity to attack
what did Bismark do in response to the FAOL?
challenge France by building up pressure of its government to solve the situation
what did the newspaper, Kolnische Zeitung publish?
an article that published a fearful picture of a Catholic conspiracy which claimed the French and Austrians were uniting against the Germans
when was the publication of the article in Kolnische Zeitung?
5th April 1875
when was the Berlinger article published?
9th April 1875
what did the Berlinger publish?
an article asking was there ‘war in sight?’ this suggested the German government believed it was and this press campaign put pressure on the French
what caused considerable alarm in Germany and across Europe?
Berlinger post and Kolnische articles
what did the Germans do in response to the publication of the articles?
diplomatic action which made it clear they were considering a preventative war against France
who was Von Moltkes report sent to?
the British and a diplomat a German diplomat in Russia told the French ambassador in Berlin that many Reistchag politicians were seriously considering preventative war
what was the European feeling about war in sight?
French, British and Russians were alarmed at prospect of another European war
who visited Germany to talk to the Kaiser?
Tsar Alexander II and Queen Victoria