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