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Period: to
Causes of WWI
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Treaty of London
Britain promises to defend Belgium's neutrality. -
Kaiser Wilhelm I is crowned king in the Palace of Versailles
Germany captured Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. Kaiser Wilhelm I was proclaimed "German Emperor" in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. -
Bismarck becomes Chancellor of the German Empire
His foreign policies (in a nutshell):
1-A pacifist in dealing with international relations because he didn't want war for Germany, in order for
2-Germany to consolidate its power -
End of Franco-Prussian War
*German victory. The Treaty of Frankfurt is signed. Terms include:
- Formation of the German Empire
- Formation of the French Third Republic
- Germany annexes Alsace-Lorraine -
Three Emperors' League
"Dreikaiserbund" Signed in Berlin.
Bismarck's first attempt to create an alliance between Austria-Hungary, Russia and Germany.
The aim was to keep France isolated, and to avoid having a war on two fronts.
*A secret treaty.
Collapsed due to the dispute over the Balkans area - Austria viewed the Balkan countries, Serbia in particular, as a threat to its empire, but Russia was siding with Serbia (same race).
Russia withdrew in 1878. -
Congress of Berlin
Hosted by Bismarck in Berlin, this congress was mainly a discussion between the superpowers over the fate of the Balkans area.
Bismarck was very keen on maintaining peace, and did not want to choose between Austria-Hungary or Russia because he didn't want the Three Emperor's League to break.
The final solution was to break the Balkans area into independent states (Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc), relinquishing the Ottoman Empire's control over them entirely.
The Treaty of Berlin was signed. -
Dual Alliance
A secret treaty between Germany and Austria-Hungary to provide aid to each other if Russia attacked either country. However, if any other country attacked Germany or Austria-Hungary, the other will remain neutral. -
Three Emperors' League renewed
Renamed as The Three Emperors' Alliance.
An attempt to keep Russia on Germany's side. -
Triple Alliance
Between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
Introducing Italy into the Dual Alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.
This was to protect the three countries from Russia and France in case either/both attacks any one of the three countries.
If one of Russia/France attacked, these three countries would provide aid to each other. If Russia and France attacked at the same time, the three countries would provide military assistance.
This still kept France isolated. -
Fashoda Incident (Berlin Conference)
French and British explorers collide in their quest to add the Congo River basin (and neighbouring areas) to their countries' sphere of influence. The French had claimed Congo a few months earlier, but the British went ahead to invade it.
The dispute was brought to attention in the Berlin Conference of the same year. France got control (though not fully) on Congo, and Britain on Egypt and the lower part of the Niger River. -
Reinsurance Treaty
Another attempt to build an exclusive alliance with Russia, since the last alliance didn't include Russia.
France still in isolation.
The two countries were to remain neutral if either of them attacks/are under the attack of a third country, unless said third country is France or Austria-Hungary.
Germany also agreed to
1) recognise Russia's sphere of influence in the eastern part of the Balkans (Eastern Rumelia and Bulgaria),
2) support Russia's control over the Black Sea. -
Wilhelm II becomes king
Very ambitious as shown in his politicies, but often did not follow through with the policies. He was temperamental and arrogant of his power. He also held a grudge against the British Empire as he was simultaneously jealous of their power and resentful that Germany isn't as strong in the navy. -
Bismarck resigns
Bismarck did not get along well with Kaiser Wilhelm II; he debated with him over a lot of the policies he laid. Eventually he was forced to resign.
He is succeeded by Leo von Caprivi, who was appointed by the Kaiser. (The cartoon: "Dropping the Pilot", published in March 1890, Punch magazine.) -
Franco-Russian Alliance
Since the Reinsurance Treaty has failed, Russia forms an alliance with France to protect themselves from the three countries of the Triple Alliance. "1. If France is attacked by Germany, or by Italy supported by Germany, Russia shall employ all her available forces to attack Germany.
If Russia is attacked by Germany, or by Austria supported by Germany, France shall employ all her available forces to attack Germany.2. In case the forces of the Triple Alliance, or of any one of the Powers" -
Austro-Russian Agreement
The two countries agreed to "maintain their status-quo" in the Balkans, as neither was able to intervene in the area.
Austria was dealing with domestic problems - the Magyar people (Hungarians), long repressed by a martial law, protested for their rights.
Russia was preoccupied with the Far East. -
First German Naval Law
Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted Germany to expand its navy to rival Britain's. This is what sparked the naval arms race between Germany and Britain that continued well into the 1910s. -
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
A treaty was signed between the two countries to protect themselves from Russia and France should these two countries attack them. They promised to provide each other military aid if this does happen. However, if they are under attack/attacks any other country, the other would remain neutral. -
The May Overthrow
A coup d'etat in Serbia had the Serbian king and queen assassinated, leaving the rival House of Karađorđević to rule. The original House of Obrenović was allies with Austria-Hungary, while the new House of Karađorđević is allies with France and Russia. -
Russo-Japanese War
Exposed Russia's weakness: its military.
Extra humiliating too that it lost to a small and developing country. -
Entente Cordiale
Alliance between Britain and France, formed to defend themselves from Germany.
Agreed to recognise each other's control over Egypt and Morocco. -
First Moroccan Crisis / Algeciras Conference
Following the Entente Cordiale, Germany defended Morocco's independence in the face of France, who was trying to colonise Morocco. Germany hoped to weaken the Entente with this act, expecting Britain to not help France, but the opposite happened.
A conference was held in Algeciras, Spain in 1906, but Germany found only one supporter among the European nations (Austria-Hungary). She signed a compromise at last to save face. -
First Naval Amendment
Third naval law in the series. This was the same year when dreadnoughts were invented. -
Anglo-Russian Entente
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Bosnian Crisis
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Second Moroccan Crisis
