16.1.2

German Foreign Policy

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Germany's Foreign Policy

Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to strengthen Germany's position in the world and make the German Empire bigger. This caused conflict between Germany and Britain, which had its own large Empire.

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Military power

  • Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to strengthen Germany and for it to have its own colonies. At the time, this was known as having its own ‘place in the sun’ (overseas colonies).
  • Prussia, which had become part of Germany had a strong military. The Kaiser realised that he could use Prussia's army to grow overseas.
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Weltpolitik

  • The Kaiser’s foreign policy was influenced by military advisors and focused on making Germany the greatest country in the world.
  • To do this, the Kaiser pursued a policy of Weltpolitik (world policy).
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The Scramble for Africa

  • Colonial tensions between Germany and Great Britain became visible during the Scramble for Africa.
  • The Scramble for Africa was a mad rush to capture land in Africa in the 1890s.
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Why did people want land in Africa?

  • Africa was such a valuable continent because of its supply of gold and diamonds.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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