Transcript Alliances and WWI

Alliances and the First World War:
Essential Background - Fact 1
World War I was all about the place of Germany in Europe
Alliances and the First World War:
Essential Background - Fact 2
France and Germany hated each other! When Germany became
united country in 1870-1, France went to war to try to stop it … but
got WHOPPED!
Alliances and the First World War:
Essential Background Fact 2 (cont.)
France also lost Alsace-Lorraine in 1870-1.
The French never forgave the Germans. They wanted REVENGE.
Alliances and the First World War:
Germany in the Middle
Germany’s BIG problem was that it was IN THE MIDDLE.
That made it VULNERABLE if it came to a war.
Alliances and the First World War:
Three Emperors’ League, 1881
In the 19th century, Germany’s brilliant Chancellor, Bismarck,
solved this problem by keeping friends with RUSSIA and
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (the Dreikaiserbund).
Alliances and the First World War:
Triple Alliance, 1882
Then Bismarck allied with Italy and Austria-Hungary (the TRIPLE
ALLIANCE, 1882).
Together with his friendship with Russia, this kept Germany safe.
Alliances and the First World War:
Germany encircled
But when Kaiser Wilhelm became Emperor, he dumped the Russian
alliance. He kept the Triple Alliance, but this did NOT solve the
problem of Germany’s encirclement.
Alliances and the First World War:
Franco-Russian Alliance, 1892
Instead, in 1892, Russia made an alliance with FRANCE.
Although it was only a DEFENSIVE alliance, it was Germany’s worst
nightmare!
Alliances and the First World War:
Webs of Alliances
There were many more alliances.
Alliances and the First World War:
Anglo-Japanese Naval Agreement, 1902
A very important one was the 1902 Anglo-Japanese naval
alliance, which freed up Great Britain from protecting its Empire in the
far east…
Alliances and the First World War:
Entente Cordiale, 1904
… which allowed Britain to make the Entente Cordiale (‘friendly
relationship’) with France in 1904.
Alliances and the First World War:
Triple Entente, 1907
In 1907 Russia joined Britain and France to make the Triple Entente.
So by 1914 Europe had divided into two massive superpower blocs.
People thought this BALANCE OF POWER would keep the peace.
Alliances and the First World War:
The Balkans
But Russia was also allied to Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.
When trouble erupted in the Balkans in 1914, the nations found their
alliances dragged them into war…
Alliances and the First World War:
How the Alliances caused war
… like mountain climbers tied to the same rope.
(i.e. it is arguable that THE SYSTEM OF ALLIANCES CAUSED
WORLD WAR ONE.)