International rivalry
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Transcript International rivalry
The road to war
I The alliance system
II International rivalry
International rivalry
before 1914
The role of Germany
The arms race
Colonial rivalry
Crises in Morocco and the Balkans
The role of
Germany
Creates suspicion and tension –
especially after 1890
Role of Germany –
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Personal ambitions for a
strong Germany
Unpredictable and
interfering
Up sets Britain and others
Eg Kruger telegram 1896,
Daily Telegraph affair
1908, refuses to renew
Reinsurance treaty with
Russia
The role of
Germany
Militarism strong – Eg captain of
Kopenick!
The role of GermanyWELTPOLITIK
Weltpolitik – use it to get mass support for
the kaiser and the ruling elite
Seats won by the Social Democratic Party in
parliament
Year seats
1890 35
1912 110
Weltpolitik
Increase German prestige abroad – get
involved in international politics
« drang nach osten »
Berlin – Baghdad railway
« Place in the sun »
Naval arms race
Tirpitz and Navy laws, 1898, 1900
« risk theory »
Britain - the TWO POWER STANDARD
Naval Arms race starts
.
HMS Dreadnought 1906
Armour plating
Guns
speed;
The Naval arms race
intensifies
« we want 8 and we won’t wait »
Kiel canal - opened 1914
Navy league influential in Br and Ger
Created impression Br & Ger enemies
Colonial rivalry
Not much interest in colonies up to the
1870s
New Imperialism
Scramble for Africa 1870-1900
Struggle for China 1895 - 1905
Reasons for the « new
imperialism »
Economic motives
National security
Nationalism and national prestige
Social Darwinism « survival of the
fittest »
How serious were colonial
rivalries?
On occasions they damaged
relationships eg Fashoda crisis 1898,
Moroccan crises 1905, 1911
Overall the conflicts were a long way
from home – they did not cause the war
to start.
CRISES
- in Morocco
First Moroccan crisis
1905/06
Germany wanted to
test the strength of
the Entente Cordiale.
1905, Kaiser lands in
Tangiers &
demands » open
door » in Morocco
CRISES
- in Morocco
Conference held at Algeciras 1906
Germany defeated & Br and Fr closer together
Germany makes the Schlieffen plan, France –
plan 17
The Schlieffen plan
CRISES
- in Morocco
2nd Moroccan crisis 1911 – the Agadir crisis
French troops Vs rebels
German gunboat – the Panther sent to Agadir
Br and Fr hold firm
Lloyd George – Mansion House speech
Germany backs down BUT public opinion
furious with Britain
CRISES – in the Balkans
Bosnian crisis 1908
Austria annexes Bosnia
Germany supports Austria
Russia furious and humiliated – won’t let
that happen again!
Serbia angry – hostile to Austria
CRISES – in the Balkans
The First Balkans war 1912
Balkan league attacks Turkey
Would Russia or Austria get involved?
International peace settlement arranged
Serbia angry because Austria blockes
her access to the sea.
War Council meeting in Germany
CRISES – in the Balkans
The second Balkans war 1913
Bulgarians unhappy with the peace
settlement
Bulgaria attacks Serbia
Other Balkan countries help Serbia
Br and Ger stop Austria from helping
Bulgaria
CRISES – in the Balkans
Consequences of the second Balkan war
Serbia strengthened and ready to stir up
trouble for Austria
Austria determined to end Serbia’s
ambitions ( a preventative war )
Germany thought Britain would cooperate if there was another crisis
CRISES – in the Balkans
Sarajevo 28th June 1914
Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated
Austria sees a chance to finish Serbia
Gets « blank cheque » from Germany
Ultimatum to Serbia, then war declared
Russia mobilises
Germany launches Schlieffen plan
Britain declares war
The First world war
begins
July / August 1914