The Threat of Germany & The Triple Alliance

The Threat of Germany

German states were unified in 1871 after winning the Franco-Prussian War. Germany grew to become so powerful that it began to threaten other European states.

Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck was the German Chancellor from 1871 to 1890. Bismarck effectively controlled German policy making.
- Under Bismarck’s leadership and policy of realpolitik (diplomacy based on practicalities), Germany grew incredibly quickly.
Realpolitik is a policy based on practical considerations.
- In foreign policy, Bismarck considered the whole world - this was known as Weltpolitik.
- He looked to build alliances between the countries of Europe

Balance of power

Germany was a threat to the balance of power in Europe for a number of reasons.
- Germany had undergone rapid industrialisation and was seeing very quick economic growth.
- Germany had an experienced and strong military following the series of wars building up to unification in 1871.

Otto von Bismarck's aims

Otto von Bismarck wanted to consolidate Germany, not cause difficulties by challenging other nations.
To achieve this aim, Bismarck needed peace in Europe.
To make sure that there was peace in Europe, Bismarck began a series of alliances with European powers.
Bismarck’s priority was to keep the balance of power stable in Europe so there would be no war.

The Triple Alliance and The League of the Three Emperors

The Triple Alliance was a secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882.

The Triple Alliance

The Triple Alliance was a secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882.
The members of the alliance promised that each country would support one another if attacked by France.
These agreements were all part of Bismarck’s overall goals of keeping peace in Europe and isolating France.

The League of the Three Emperors

Russia also wanted to be involved in European diplomacy.
The League of the Three Emperors was formed in 1872 between Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary.
However, conflict between Russia and Austria-Hungary meant that it was difficult for them to be in the same alliance.
Germany formed a secret ‘Reinsurance Treaty’ with Russia in 1887.
It was agreed that if one country (Germany or Russia) went to war with another European country, the other ally would stay neutral.

Bismarck's skill

The making of these treaties shows Bismarck’s political skill. He hoped this would make Germany indispensable to European diplomacy.
- The one danger was that these alliances could all fall apart if a less skilled statesman was in charge.

1The Causes of the First World War

1.1The Alliance System

1.1.1The Threat of Germany & The Triple Alliance

1.1.2The Franco-Russian Alliance & the 'Entente'

1.1.3End of Topic Test - The Alliance System

1.2Crisis in Morocco and the Balkans

1.2.1The Crisis in Morocco

1.2.2The Crisis in the Balkans

1.2.3The Balkan Wars

1.2.4Impact on International Relations

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Morocco & the Balklans

1.3Anglo-German Rivalry

1.3.1Britain & Splendid Isolation

1.3.2Kaiser Wilhelm II's Foreign Policy

1.3.3European Rearmament

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Anglo-German Rivalry

1.4Outbreak of War

1.4.1Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

1.4.2The July Crisis

1.4.3The Schlieffen Plan and Belgium

1.4.4Reasons for the Outbreak of Hostilities

1.4.5End of Topic Test - Outbreak of War

2The First World War: Stalemate

2.1The Schlieffen Plan

2.1.1Reasons Behind the Schlieffen Plan & its Failure

2.1.2Stalemate

2.1.3End of Topic Test - The Schlieffen Plan

2.2The Western Front

2.2.1Technology

2.2.2Military Tactics

2.2.3The War of Attrition (1915-1916)

2.2.4The War of Attrition (1917)

2.2.5End of Topic Test - The Western Front

2.3The Wider War

2.3.1The War at Sea

2.3.2The War in the Air

2.3.3Other Theatres

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Wider War

3Ending the War

3.1Changes in the Allied Forces

3.1.1The Bolshevik Revolution

3.1.2Reasons for the Entry of the USA

3.1.3The Impact of US Entry on the War

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Changes in the Allied Forces

3.2Military Developments in 1918

3.2.1Tactics & Technology

3.2.2Ludendorff & the German Spring Offensive

3.2.3The Allied Advance During The Hundred Days

3.3Germany Surrenders

3.3.1The Impact of the Naval Blockade

3.3.2Abdication of the Kaiser

3.3.3Armistice

3.3.4The Contribution of Haig and Foch

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Developments & Surrender

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