Long Term Causes of WWI

Bismarck’s web of alliances  After 1870 – Kaiser Wilhelm and chancellor Bismarck didn’t pursue aggressive foreign policy.  Bismarck created a web of alliances to:  Protect Germany from attack and  Consolidate its position in Europe.

 The Dreikaiserbund – 3 Emperors’ Leage (1873)  Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary.  Vague terms but kept France isolated.  The Dual Alliance (1879)  Austria-Hungary and Russia were in conflict due to events in the Balkans.  The Dreikaiserbund collapsed.  Bismarck made treaty with the Austrians.  Treaty was primarily defensive to avoid clash between powers.  Germany and Austria-Hungary agreed to help each other if attacked by Russia or neutral if other European countries attacked either of them.

 The Triple Alliance (1882)  Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.  If any of them were attacked, the others would assist them.  The Reinsurance Treaty (1887)  The Emperors’ Alliance failed due to problems in the Balkans in  Germany and Russia allied to avoid any risk of war on two fronts.  Germany had to stay friendly with Russia.

New Couse and Weltpolitik  1888 – Wilhelm II came to throne in Germany.  Bismarck replaced by Leo von Caprivi as Chancellor.  The Reinsurance treaty was over and led to Franco-Russian Alliance in  France and Russia agreed on helping each other if attacked by Germany.  Also agreed on immediate mobilization if members of the Triple Alliance mobilized.  Mutual support in imperial disputes - Anti-British political clause.  France free of isolation and Germany could face war in two fronts.  Weltpolitik – world policy which aimed to build an overseas empire and a strong German navy.

Imperialism  1880 – 1905 – colonial rivalries among European countries created tension.  At first the motives were economical – cheap raw materials, new markets and low-cost labor forces.  Later due to Darwinian belief and nationalistic competition.  Germany desired their influence to be felt outside of Europe.

The emergence of the alliance system.  1897 – Secretary of State of the Navy, Admiral von Tirpitz.  Germany should mount a naval challenge to Britain.  Naval Law (1898) – provided the building of 17 ships over the next seven years.  Britain responded looking for alliances to avoid conflicts in the Far East.  Britain made alliance with Japan (1902) and came to an entente with France (1904).  Britain and Russia reached agreement over their relationship with Persia, Tibet and Afghanistan.  Triple Entente - Russia, France and Britain.  Europe divided in to alliance systems.

The naval race  Germany’s maritime challenge to Britain started a naval arms race.  1906 – Britain launched the HMS Dreadnought.  Its speed, range and firepower were far superior.  The Dreadnought made the rest of battleships obsolete.  Germany continued expanding its fleet.  Newspapers and poplar fiction portrayed Germany as new enemy against Britain.

Situation in the Balkans  Turkey  Didn’t rule over the Balkans any more.  Serbs, Greeks and Bulgars had revolted and set up their own nation.  Turkey struggled to hold on to its remaining Balkan territories.  Austria-Hungary  By 1900 they were losing their grip on their multi-ethnic empire.  The most forceful were the Slavs – Serbs, Croats and Slovenes who looked to Serbia for support.  Serbia was seen as a threat by Austria- Hungary.

 Russia  Russia was seen as the champion of the Slav people.  Keeping the strait of Constantinople open to Russian ships was strategically important.  Continued access to warm-water ports was vital for Russia.  Growing tension in the Balkans after 1900  June 1903 – pro-Austrian King Alexander of Serbia was murdered  Replaced by Russophile King Peter – determined to reduce Austro-Hungarian influence.  1905 – 1906 – Tariff war began and the Serbs turned to France for arms and finance.