prewwI

Pre-WW I diplomacy, p.1

Bismarck est. "3 emperors" league - 1873: Germany, A-H, Russia)

problems in 1870’s due to Russian assertion in Balkans combined w/Ottoman weakness

pan-Slavism, GB defensiveness are also significant in collapse of league

"triple alliance" emerges in 1882 - (Ger, A-H, Italy)

1890-Kaiser Wilhelm fires Bismarck - path to World War I is guaranteed

Pre-WW I diplomacy, p.2

Triple entente emerges between 1890 & 1907: FR, RUS, GB)

French-Russian alliance to block Germanic power in central Europe - 1890

rising tension between GER & GB over naval power, Africa - Does Kaiser want to fight or emulate GB?

Boer War accentuates conflict - GB & GER

FR/GB pact: Entente Cordiale - 1904 -

"triple entente" emerges in 1907 w/pact bet. GB/RUS

Breakdown of diplomacy &
path to World War I

GER: "saber-rattling" & actions in Morocco (1905 & 1911) raise tension

1912-1913: Balkan nationalism leads to wars, Ottoman demise, A-H power play

1913-1914: nationalistic Serbs push tension to breaking point - vs. A-H

"Black Hand" assassination of Archduke & Duchess in Sarajevo, 6/1914 is direct cause of War

Germany backs A-H, Russia backs Serbia - alliances/plans set in motion & WWI begins

Beginning Of WWI

Causes?

Q- Could WWI have been avoided or was it inevitable?

Q- How can alliances meant to preserve balance of power & peace lead to war?

To what extent were individuals responsible for beg. Of WWI?