Scramble for Africa Although Bismarck was primarily concerned with the unification and strengthening of Germany at home and stated that he had little interest in colonial expansion, he later consented to building up of foreign colonies in order to protect trade and raw materials. This colonisation created tensions between Germany and the established colonial powers of Britain and France Colonies were established in….. German South West Africa 1884 until Now Namibia Kamerun 1884 to Now Cameroon Togoland 1884 to Now Togolese Republic (Togo) German East Africa Now part of Tanzania

Bismarck’s Foreign Policy

Austria-Hungary Oct 1879 Russia (reinsurance treaty) 1887 Formal military alliance Defensive alliance committing Germany and A-H to resist Russian aggression Germany to aid A-H if Russia attacked, but A-H was not bound to support Germany against France. May , Triple Alliance with Italy and A-H Germany and Austria would aid Italy, and Italy would aid Germany, if any were attacked by France. In 1914 Italy did not go to war, as France was not the aggressor. Attempt by Bismarck to continue to rally with Russia after the League of the Three Emperors broke down. Not apply should Germany attack France or Russia attack Austria-Hungary. Observe neutrality should the other be involved in a war with a third country Germany declared herself neutral in the event of a Russian intervention in the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.

1873 – The Three Emperors League In October of 1873, Otto von Bismarck negotiated the “Three Emperors’ League” or “League of the Three Emperors'' between the monarchs of Austria-Hungary, Russia and Germany. The alliance was between Tsar Alexander II, Emperor Franz Joseph I and Kaiser Wilhelm I It sought to resurrect the Holy Alliance of 1815 and act as a bulwark against radical sentiments the conservative rulers found unsettling. Bismarck often led the League as it assessed challenges centering on maintaining the balance of power among the states involved and in Europe as a whole. Dedication to preserving the status quo and avoiding overt war where diplomacy would suffice to manage a conflict. It was ended by the Near Eastern crisis of , The Tsar wanted to protect Slav people despite Austrian wishes.

Wilhelm’s Foreign Policy More aggressive which began to concern other European powers Build up in arms (notably of battleships) – First naval bill passed – Supplementary naval act 1900 France and Russia allied in 1893 Alienated Britain as they saw the German fleet as a threat to the navy Bismarck was forced to step down as chancellor at the Kaiser's insistence in 1890 at the age of 75