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Bismarck’s Foreign Policy: Key Points
Craig ‘Between 1879 and 1890 Bismarck created a system of foreign politics that gave
his country both security and dominant influence in European affairs, and he proved
capable of maintaining it in time of crisis, although not, to be sure, without employing
diplomatic means that were so complex as to invite the charge of duplicity’
Bismarck personally controlled foreign policy. However, he had to convince the Kaiser
of the validity of his actions.
Prior to 1871 Foreign policy characterised by conflict.
After 1871, characterised by peace: Germany was a ‘satiated nation’ – no interest in
further expansion. Instead, Bismarck saw need to focus on internal consolidation after
unification.
However,
Germany had unified through war with foreign powers.
Germany’s economic development was advanced.
Germany would inevitably be perceived as having the potential to dominate Europe
and, therefore, as a threat. Just because Germany didn’t want war with other nations,
didn’t mean other nations wouldn’t want war with Germany!
Specific threats to Germany:
French revanche (revenge)
Austrian revenge
Both for actions taken during process of unification
Greatest threat: alliance of these 2 powers, resulting in war on 2 fronts
Russian and Austria in competition over expansion/influence in the Balkans. Bismarck
feared that one of these might seek alliance with Germany, leading the other to ally
with France.
Bismarck’s key FP aims therefore:
to isolate France through maintenance of good relations with Austria and Russia.
Therefore:
1873 Dreikaiserbund (3 Emperors’ League).
Austria-Hungary, Russian and Germany.
Promise to consult partners before taking action which could lead to war.
Also promise to defend monarchies against republicanism and socialism.
Successful, but only as no real challenge to peace between the 3.
However
1875 ‘War in Sight’ crisis.
Miscalculation by Bismarck.
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Nervous that France had recovered rapidly from financial burden of 1871 treaty,
Bismarck allowed France to believe Germany was mobilising for war.
Purpose was to dissuade France from her rearmament programme.
Backfired.
Russia forced Bismarck to give an assurance that France would not be attacked.
Outcome: France antagonised and other European powers rallied to the French cause.
However, relations with France stabilised 1877-1884:
France focused on Empire building not European conflict.
Bismarck encouraged this, to distract France from Alsace-Lorraine and to encourage
France into conflict with Britain. E.G supported France in the dispute over Egypt with
Britain. In 1884, Bismarck began Empire building, which conflicted with French
interests.
Somewhat surprisingly, then, the real problem in the period 1877-1890 was managing
Eastern European neighbours.
European relations weakened by
1875-8 Eastern Crisis
There were revolts in the Balkans against Turkish rule.
Defeat of the Turks would lead to power vacuum in Balkans.
Bismarck feared growing conflict between Austria-Hungary and Russia would lead to
one power seeking an alliance with Germany, leading the other to ally with France.
Luckily,
1876 Russia and Austria-Hungary agreed to partition the Balkans between them.
They also both asked GB to pressure the Turks to introduce internal imperial reforms
which would minimise revolts by subject nations.
However,
This pressure to reform was resisted.
And, the pan-slavic league in Russia pressured the Tsar to intervene.
So,
1877-8 War against Turkey by Russia. Russia won.
March 1878 Treaty of San Stefano. Bulgaria became independent state, in effect, a
Russian satellite.
Austria angry. Britain also nervous about Russia’s increased strategic position.
So,
1878 Bismarck chaired Congress of Berlin to try and avoid conflict between A-H and
Russia over Bulgaria.
Outcome:
Reduced size of independent Bulgaria, Britain gained Cyprus, A-H gained Bosnia and
Herzegovinia.
Russia furious
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Plus,
Tariffs imposed on Russian imports of grain to Germany prompted Tsar to accuse
Bismarck of ‘anti-Russian’ policy.
So,
Alliance of Germany with A-H even more desirable to stabilise situation in Balkans and
prevent German isolation.
Bismarck had to threaten to resign to get Kaiser to agree.
1879 Dual Alliance
Defensive alliance, an agreement to protect one’s partner in event of attack by Russia.
This was a turning point in Bismarck’s FP. Sacrificed flexibility for a permanent
alliance.
As a result:
Russia was pressured into seeking revival of Dreikaiserbund, but on different terms.
1881 Dreikaiserbundnis (3 Emperors’ Alliance)
Russia accepted A-H control Bosnia/Herzegovinia.
A-H accepted eventual reunification of Bulgaria.
Agreement to maintain neutrality if partner at war with 4th power.
Alliance renewed 1884.
Outcome: short-term success. Avoided choice of allegiance and prevented alliance with
France.
Plus,
1882 Triple Alliance – when Italy joined Dual alliance.
1882 Serbia joined too
1885 so did Romania
Created defensive block against Russian expansion in Balkans.
But,
1885 revival of tension in Balkans. Bulgaria (supported by Russia) and Serbia (supported
by Austria) were at war. Grave danger of Germany being dragged in on behalf of
Austria, which would lead to alliance between Russia & France.
The fiercely anti-German General Boulanger was appointed French War Minister in
1866, which increased Bismarck’s nervousness. He lost his job in 1877 but French
relations didn’t recover.
Therefore,
1887 new Tsar (from 1881 – Alexander III) refused to renew Dreikaiserbundnis but did
offer to negotiate with Germany alone.
1887 Reinsurance Treaty
Germany promised – secretly – to support Russian claims to Bulgaria (breached alliance
with A-H).
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Bismarck hoped that this alliance with Russia would prevent Russia seeking alliance
with France.
However,
Bismarck blocked Russian loan from German banks
And
1887 facilitated Mediterranean Agreements (trade agreements to ensure continuance of
existing dominance of Mediterranean by GB, Italy, France)
Both were anti-Russian in nature – undermined Reinsurance Treaty and led Russia to
turn to France for financial assistance; the very cooperation Bismarck had sought to
prevent!
One other factor to Bismarck’s FP:
In 1884 Germany entered Empire race.
Colonies placed in hands of private traders but real cost to government dissuaded
Bismarck from pursuing further conquest.
Bismarck had made it clear in 1871 that was not interested in expansion, so why
Imperialism in 1884?
 Distraction from domestic problems? (Wehler’s ‘Social Imperialism’ thesis)
 Fear of being left out as powerful nations like GB/France secured their Empires
(so, to maintain prestige as major player on European stage)
 To satisfy increased nationalism of Reichstag after 1884 elections?
 To create new markets for German industrial production?
 To alienate GB (the most significant Imperial nation) and lead to greater accord
with France?
Was Bismarck’s brief foray into Empire building deliberate or reactionary?
Evaluation of Bismarck’s Foreign Policy:
Successful – when Bismarck left office Germany had enjoyed 19 years of peace.
Bismarck did succeed in preventing hostile coalition against Germany.
Also maintained a line of communication with A-H and Russia.
However, relied on experience of Bismarck to continually intervene in events.
Danger of unravelling in hands of less experienced statesman.
Desire to maintain relationship with both A-H and Russia, and keep France and Russia
apart was ultimately unsustainable. (can you explain why?)
Key Questions for Revision:
What were the key threats to Bismarck/Germany?
At what point in time did those threats manifest themselves?
How did Bismarck address these crises?
How successful was Bismarck’s action?
What have historians said about Bismarck’s Foreign Policy?
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Key Skills:

Explanation

Analysis

Linking

Prioritisation
Which skills are you (primarily) utilising in the answers to the following questions?
1. Was Bismarck’s foreign policy a failure?
2. Why did Bismarck wish to maintain an alliance with Austria and Russia?
3. How much of a threat to Germany’s security was the Eastern Crisis?
4. Which was the greatest threat to Russo-German harmony, the Congress of Berlin
or the Mediterranean Agreements?
5. How did the 1879 Dual Alliance seek to ensure harmony with Russia?
6. How significant was the 1879 Dual Alliance?
7. How did Bismarck’s foreign policy reflect domestic concerns?
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‘War in Sight’ crisis
Fear of French
revanchism
Undermined by
Bismarck’s antiRussian policies
Reinsurance Treaty
Desire to prevent
alliance between
France and A-H/Russia
Russian war against
Turkey and Treaty of
San Stefano
Eastern crisis
Dreikaiserbundnis
Dual alliance between
Germany & A-H
Succeeded in
alienating Russia
Congress of Berlin
tried to ease tension
between A-H and
Russia
Allegiance generated
between Russia and
France
Adding ideas together
[Describing]
And
In addition
Also
As well as
Sequencing
[Describing]
Firstly, secondly, thirdly
Next
Then
Afterwards
Later
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Fortuitously avoided
by unexpected
cooperation
between Russian
and A-H
Connectives
Cause and Effect
[Explaining]
So
Therefore
As a result
This led to
Because
Relations with France
stabilised 1877-1886
Dreikaiserbund
Comparison & Contrast
[Analysing]
However
But
On the other hand
Nevertheless