The (twisting, turning, confusing) Path to World War I

Pre-war Europe

Bismarck the Genius and the Sick Man of Europe Bismarck’s goal was to avoid a two-front war for Germany. 3 Emperor’s League (GR, AUS, RUS) –Collapses b/c AUS and RUS begin to compete in the Balkans – part of the OE

3 Emperor’s League (GR, AUS, RUS) continued –Russia supports countries breaking from OE in order to gain more territory – they are successful with Treaty of San Stefano –Congress of Berlin (Bismarck as president) called to review Treaty of San Stefano. Many of the Russian victories are overturned

Dual Alliance (GR/AUS) Support for each other if attacked by Russia Support for each other if attacked by Russia At least neutrality of attacked by someone else At least neutrality of attacked by someone else Alliance scares Russia into seeking closer ties with Germany – 3 Emperor’s League renewed Alliance scares Russia into seeking closer ties with Germany – 3 Emperor’s League renewed

Triple Alliance Italy want to join Dual Alliance (GR/AUS) Italy want to join Dual Alliance (GR/AUS) Italy gets in, Germany now has isolated France and is allied with major powers in Europe…Britain is practicing “splendid neutrality” at this point Italy gets in, Germany now has isolated France and is allied with major powers in Europe…Britain is practicing “splendid neutrality” at this point Everything is going great for Germany thanks to Bismarck…who gets fired by Kaiser William II Everything is going great for Germany thanks to Bismarck…who gets fired by Kaiser William II

Franco-Russian Alliance Russia wanted French money for investment Russia wanted French money for investment France wants to get out of it’s isolation France wants to get out of it’s isolation

Entante Cordial (ENG/FR) Britain and France agree to get along – they settle colonial difference, but not much else Britain and France agree to get along – they settle colonial difference, but not much else

Now the teams are picked, let’s have a war

1 st Moroccan Crisis Germany presses for Moroccan independence from France Germany presses for Moroccan independence from France The world stands with Francs and Germany looks silly – mistake on their part The world stands with Francs and Germany looks silly – mistake on their part Pushes countries into Triple Entante- informal association of England, France, and Russia Pushes countries into Triple Entante- informal association of England, France, and Russia

Bosnian Crisis Young Turks take over Ottoman Empire and breathe new life into the empire Young Turks take over Ottoman Empire and breathe new life into the empire Austria and Russia act together to protect their interests Austria and Russia act together to protect their interests Events strain relations between countries of the Triple Entante Events strain relations between countries of the Triple Entante

2 nd Moroccan Crisis Germany opposes French attempt to put down rebellion – pushes England and Russia closer together Germany opposes French attempt to put down rebellion – pushes England and Russia closer together Leads to 1 st and 2 nd Balkan wars: basically some minor league countries (and Italy) fighting over parts of the Ottoman Empire and growing antagonism between Austria and Serbia Leads to 1 st and 2 nd Balkan wars: basically some minor league countries (and Italy) fighting over parts of the Ottoman Empire and growing antagonism between Austria and Serbia

Assassination and rapid responses Franz Ferdinand is assassinated with Serbia playing it’s part Franz Ferdinand is assassinated with Serbia playing it’s part World is outraged but Austria doesn’t cash in, instead they wait. World is outraged but Austria doesn’t cash in, instead they wait. Germany will support Austria Germany will support Austria Russia will support Serbia Russia will support Serbia Germany has one plan Schlieffen Plan – knock out the French quickly and focus on Russia. To get to France the Germans will go through Belgium Germany has one plan Schlieffen Plan – knock out the French quickly and focus on Russia. To get to France the Germans will go through Belgium

Wherefore art thou Bismarck? The Schlieffen plan fails, France holds. England joins to defend Belgium and France, Russia mobilizes. The Schlieffen plan fails, France holds. England joins to defend Belgium and France, Russia mobilizes. Germany, under Bismarck was perfectly aligned in In 1914 they were engaged in a two front war with all of the powers in Europe. Germany, under Bismarck was perfectly aligned in In 1914 they were engaged in a two front war with all of the powers in Europe.