HIST2086 Bismarck: The Iron Chancellor Bismarck’s foreign and colonial policy, Lecture November 2010

3-Phases-Model Phase 1: Three Emperors’ League + war scare, Phase 2: Balkan Crisis + Congress of Berlin + Dual Alliance, Phase 3: Three-Emperors’ Alliance / Triple Alliance + Colonial policy + Bulgarian Crisis + Reinsurance Treaty,

Three Emperor’s Alliance, Jun 1881 Binding treaty of neutrality for 3 years ≠ former ‘consultative’ Three Emperors League (1873) Promised neutrality if R, G, A were in war with another power Balkans to be divided into ‘spheres of influence’: R = eastern B; A = western B) = Bismarck’s hope to have restored conservative alliance of R, G, A

Triple Alliance, 1882 Added Italy to Dual Alliance (1879) Promised assistance if A, G, I were attacked by 2 or more powers I’s promise of neutrality in case of war between A + R I’s promise of support in case of French attack on G A’ + G’s promise of support in case of French attack on I = Italy for Bismarck mainly another alliance partner against France

Colonial Policy (I) Society for German Colonisation (Gesellschaft für deutsche Kolonisation, 1884) as private initiative Acquisition of colonies by Germany: Togoland, the Cameroons, German East Africa, German South West Africa, New Guinea = Apr 1884 to May 1885 = Short imperialist phase

Colonial Policy (2): 5 Interpretations 1)Conversion to imperialism (external) 2)Enhancing Germany’s position in Europe (external) 3)Use for the 1884 election campaign (domestic) 4)Driving wedge between Crown Prince and England (domestic) 5)Expansionism as economic counter-measure against depression = ‘Social Imperialism’ (domestic) = Probably combination of interpretations 2-5

Colonial Policy (3) Bismarck’s lack of interest in colonies: Europe in foreground Private companies as unsuccessful colonizers: No government support German Colonial Association (Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft, ) as private initiative for mass propaganda

Bulgarian Crisis, Reasons for Bismarck’s fear of F-R alliance: Dispute of A + R over Balkans Nationalistic wave in F: War minister Boulanger Pro-French minister in R = Triple Alliance renewed (Feb 1887) = First Mediterranean Agreement of GB, A, I signed with Bismarck’s full backing: To maintain status quo in eastern Mediterranean vs. R’s expansionism

Bismarck’s strategy To isolate R internationally without exposing G as active player To focus international tensions at Europe’s periphery To stimulate differing powers’ interests by using reactive mechanics of temptation + checking = ‘Political bigamy’: Bismarck’s antagonistic alliance partners + membership of rivalling camps = Temporary ease of tensions in Central Europe

Effects on Russia Waning influence of pro-French party Strong interest of Tsar Alexander III to reach agreement with G Offer to G: Treaty to guarantee neutrality in all cases of war = Contrary to Dual Alliance + stimulus for war R vs. A = Reduced formula finally employed for Reinsurance Treaty …

Reinsurance Treaty, Jul 1887 Promise of benevolent neutrality if R or G were at war with third power →Except: Attack R-A or G-F ☺= No contravention to Dual Alliance ☺ = Masterpiece of Bismarck’ diplomacy ☻ = Weak effect on R-G economic relations ☻= No reduction of Balkan tensions ☻= Danger of French attack still existent

Bismarck’s alliance system Peace-oriented OR ready for preventive war? Flexible alliance system OR crisis management? Rrapprochement with France OR ‘inherited enemy’? Dual Alliance major achievement OR trap to be dragged into war in 1914?