UNDERLYING CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I AND ITS OUTBREAK

Unit 8 Day 1

Bismarck’s Foreign Policy (1871-1890)

Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)

• After the Unification, Bismarck lifted Germany to be the leading nation in Europe while keeping peace among many rivals

•Following the Franco-Prussian War (1871), Bismarck works to build relationships with European

nations that will keep France isolated and weak

•Establishes Three Emperors League with Austria-Hungary and Russia (1881-1887)

• Alliance of Conservative monarchies

• Still maintains relations with France •Supports French imperial efforts in Africa

William II’s “New Course” (1890-1918)

1888 – William II accedes to the German throne Almost immediately begins quarrelling with Bismarck over foreign

policy 1890 - Bismarck dismissed as chancellor

William begins plotting an aggressive “new course” 1899 - Alienates Britain by supporting Afrikaners in South Africa 1904 - Gambles (and loses) on belief that an alliance between Britain

and France over Morocco will fall apart William opposes the French extension of a sphere of influence over

Morocco, which Britain agreed to support Brings Britain and France closer together

1907 - Threatens British naval superiority by expanding battleship fleet Russia, threatened by German aggressiveness and embarassed by

Japanese strenghtens ties with Great Britain Result – Germany increasingly isolated, Britain emerges as new leader

The “Balkan Powder Keg” 1878-1914

After 1878 nationalistic tensions in the Balkan states grow to feverish pitch 1878 – Congress of Berlin

Bismarck oversees the creation of states of Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovina from former Ottoman possessions in Balkans

Many ethnic Serbians, Croats, and Romanians still in Austria-Hungary June 28, 1914 – Austrian heir Archduke Francis Ferdinand and wife Sophie

assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Slavic extremist group, The Black Hand July 28 Austria declares war on Serbia

Due to complex web of diplomatic obligations, Germany supports Austria while Russia intervenes on side of Serbians France tied diplomatically to Russia also enters war Three Emperors League replaced by Triple Alliance (France, Russia,

Britain) July 29, Russia goes to war against Austria and Germany August 2, Germany invades Belgium on the way to France

The “Balkan Powder Keg” 1878-1914

Assassination in Sarajevo

Archduke Francis Ferdinand and Sophie shortly before their murder The arrest of Gavrilo Pincip, one of the Serbian assassins

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare

Trench Wafare

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare