1. The road to World War I
introduction

2. Two key topics to study The creation of an Alliance system
International rivalry

3. The Alliance system in 1914

4. Creating the system - Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck
Unifies Germany under Prussian leadership
The North German Confederation 1867

5. Franco – Prussian war 1870-71 France is defeated
Humiliated and punished by the treaty of Frankfurt
Wants “revanche!”

6. Bismarck tries to keep Germany safe
Keep France isolated
Build up alliances with other countries – especially Russia and Austria-Hungary

7. Russia Empire with ambitions in the Mediterranean.
Plans to expand into the Ottoman empire
Protector of the Slavs in the Balkans

8. Austria-Hungary Multi-national empire
Fears independent Slav states in the Balkans
Plans to be dominant in the Balkans area

9. The Balkans powder keg

10. Bismarck tries to keep Russia and Austria-Hungary as friends – but fails
Drei-Kaiser bund
Dual Alliance
Reinsurance treaty
Mediterranean agreements
Triple alliance