Kissinger Ch: 7 pt. 1

Essential Question: How did Wilhelm II’s foreign policy impact the other European Powers?

A Political Doomsday Machine: European Diplomacy Before the First World War

• After unification Germany had become the most powerful of the European Powers• Lack of National interests• Desire for alliances pushes the rest of Europe away• Fear results in foreign policy based on power.

• 1890 William II becomes Emperor• Bismarck is dismissed• Change if foreign policy (Weltpolitik)• Weltpolitik?

• Wanted Germany to be respected• Couldn’t manage all of Bismarck's alliances

Germany's Rise to Power

Aimed at making Germany’s presence abroad commensurate with her new industrial might. 

• Russia’s Foreign policy• Torn between two worlds

• Fears of Russian Power• Great Britain• Germany• Limitations to Russian foreign policy

Russia’s Threat to Peace

1. Chancery Department dealt with Europe2. Asiatic Department dealt with Far East, the

Ottomans and BalkansRussia would deal with issues unilaterally and by

force.

• Britain’s changing role at the end of the 19th Century

• Germany was stronger economically• France and Russia challenged Great

Britain abroad. • Salisbury’s foreign policy

Britain's Role

• Keyed the term “splendid isolation”• Maintain sea power• Only get involved in Europe to maintain

balance of power• Would not get entangled in alliances

• 1890 fails to renew the Reinsurance Treaty• Reasons for failure to renew• Implications • French and Russian relationship• 1891 French-Russo Entente Cordiale• Mutual diplomatic support• France would give diplomatic suport to

Russia in any colonial conflict with Great Britain

• 1894 French-Russo military alliance• Aimed against Germany

Germany’s New Foreign Policy

• German-British Alliance• Splendid Isolation• Britain would only enter into political entente or

limited military agreements.• Would not enter into general military alliance.• Krüger Telegram 1895• 1898 Naval Bill• Germany builds a stronger Navy• 1900 Germany refuses entente style treaty

insisting on military alliance.• 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance• Japan would help contain Russia

Germany’s New Foreign Policy

• 1904 Anglo-Franco Entente Cordiale• Colonial Agreement • Britain agreed to recognize France’s position in Morocco

in exchange France recognized Britain’s position in Egypt.

• Great Britain settle colonial issues with France 1904 (GB gained influence in Egypt and France gained influence in Morocco.

• Moroccan Crisis 1905

Britain moves toward France and Russia

CausesGermans felt encircled after the Entente Cordiale 1904 between

Britain and FranceGermany wanted to test the relationship between Britain and FranceKaiser sent a war ship to support Moroccan Independence and

demanded an conferenceAlgeciras conference 1906

Outcomes: Great Britain backs French claims in MoroccoBritain and France become closer 1907 Triple Entente

1907 Russia and Britain settle disputes in Persia and form Triple Entente with France Completion of German encirclement.

1.How did the transition from Realpolitik and Weltpoitik impact Germany?

2.Why did Great Britain decided to settle differences with France and form and Entente?

3.Using specific examples, what impact do you think Great Britain joining the Triple Entente had on European politics?