Casus Belli

1. Casus Belli

2. 1871 • Alliance system • Nationalism • Arms Race • Sarajevo • “The lights are going out”

3. 1871

4. The world was a much better place in 1871 • Capitalism had created abundant affluence • La belle époque (the golden age) • International law ensured everyone had rights and they were respected by others • But there was a serious gap between reality and theory –the Great Powers dominated- Britain, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, France • They were spokesmen for the Concert of Europe

5. Peace and stability was based on the balance of power • An attack against one was an attack against all • Liberal ideals were being replaced by more conservative thoughts • Western Europe was considered solidified national units • The unification of Germany had involved 3 wars and humiliated France • France lost the Franco-Prussian war and also Alsace and Lorraine

6. Alsace had been part of the HRE but had been French for over 200 years • Lorraine was wholly French in population • The Germans hoped the French would accept the loss – wrong! • A modern Europe required a German state, but which lands would that involve? • Nowhere did political frontiers match lines of nationality • Gladstone supported every countries’ claim to independence • Yet eastern Europe was a quilt of countries wanting independence

7. Rumania had been created in 1871 and had been ruled by the Turks, Germans, and Austrians • Poland was a bigger issue because it lay in the borders of 3 other countries – Prussia, Austria, and Russia • Bismarck had supported Russia repression of the Poles in exchange for Russian neutrality in the Franco-Prussian War 1870 • There where 4 great empires in eastern Europe:Germany, Russia, Austria, Turkey (Ottoman)

8. There were also 4 independent countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Rumania, Greece • They all shared 2 traits:a) hatred of the Turksb) the ability to be friends with Great Powers

9. Austria • Austria had an empire but it wasn’t a nation – it was entirely comprised of minorities • 1860 Austria was defeated by the French • 1866 Austria was defeated by the Germans • By 1867 Austria was neither a German nor Italian power but it had millions of both • In 1867 Austria-Hungary was created – 2 countries – 1 ruler, hence the Dual Monarchy • Hungary was ruled by the Magyars, very pro-German and anti-Slav and anti-Russian

10. Nobody could afford a war • There would be no winner • The growth of pacifism -war was a thing of the past - we were civilized. • Europe had seen almost 100 years of peace(1871 minor war) • It would be the localized Third Balkan War that would become World War I

11. Business prevented any island from being isolated • Foreign investment was so large • Better communication, cheap newspapers • Better educated people • Even victory would be expensive Ivan Bloch - The Future of WarNorman Angell The Great Illusion (1910) won the Nobel Prize • The problem was that there was no means for negotiating peace

12. European countries controlled the world Germany - won the Franco-Prussian war, gained Alsace and Lorraine, wanted to isolate France, economic stability, led by the Iron Chancellor Bismarck, little interest in colonialism, unified. France - lost Alsace and Lorraine, weak military, imperialistic in Asia and Africa. Great Britain- “splendid isolation”, colonial conflicts with France and Russia

13. Austria - wanted to limit Slavic nationalism on southern border and hostile nationalism within the borders Russia - very imperialistic throughout the century – but overland: in the Balkans; disputes with Austria over Slavs; Ottomans; Japanese Italy - interest in North Africa led to disputes with France. The Balkans - a politically unstable region comprised of many ethnic groups. Mostly Christian. United States - not involved in global affairs

14. Alliances

15. The Russo-Turkish War 1877-8 • Bulgaria revolted against Ottoman Empire (Turks) “sick man of Europe” • Turks slaughter thousands of Slavs • Serbia and Montenegro declared war on Ottomans • Russia declares herself protector of the Slavs • Treaty of San Stefano

16. Treaty of San Stefano • Increased Russian power in the Balkans and threatened the Austrians • At the Congress of Berlin (1878) Bismarck(Honest Broker) created: • Independence for: Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania • Austria received the right to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina • Russia gained control of Bulgaria(windows to the west) and some regions of Turkey

17. The Driekaiserbund • 1879 Germany and Austria signed the Dual Alliance - which remained in place for almost 40 years • The Three Emperors’ League created by Bismarck to keep Austria and Russia at peace • Germany - Kaiser William • Austria - Emperor Francis Joseph • Russia - Tsar Alexander

18. 1881 Driekaiserbund was revived:a) Acknowledged Russia had interest in Bulgariab) Austria had interest in Bosnia-Herzegoveniac) promised neutrality if anyone was attacked by a fourth power

19. 1881 France makes Tunisia a protectorate • Italy seeks allies • 1882 Triple Alliance - Germany, Austria, Italya) both would help Italy if Italy attacked by Franceb) Italy would help Germany if France attackedc) the treaty did not apply to Britain • Germany has treaties with Austria, Italy, Russia, and on good terms with Great Britain

20. 1883 Austria and Rumania (later Germany added) • 1887 Driekaiserbund not renewed because of problems between Austria and Russia • 1887 Germany -Russia sign Reinsurance Treatya) extremely secretiveb) in the event of war both would stay neutral except: if Austria is attacked by Russia or France is attacked by Germanyc) Germany promised to promote Russian goals in the Balkans

21. Reinsurance Treaty (1887) • Russia dissolved Three Emperors’ Treaty because of tensions in the Balkans • Signs new treaty with Germany - both stay neutral unless: Germany attacks France or Russia attacks Austria • 1890 Bismarck is dismissed • France signs a military alliance with Russia – aimed at Britain in the Med.

22. 1896 Kaiser William sent a telegram to Transvaal President Kruger offering support • Germany also starts to increase naval power • The Fashoda Crisis forced France to reevaluate their foreign policy • 1902 Britain signs the Anglo-Japanese Alliance • 1904 Anglo-French EntenteBritain recognizes French claims to MoroccoFrance recognizes British claims to Egypt • 1900 German prestige had deteriorated drastically • “Weltmacht” (world power) Germany wanted to be an equal of Britain and France

23. Nationalism

24. 1900 there were 25 sovereign states in Europe - none would admit to a higher authority • Alliances created states less willing to compromise • There was a huge build up in armament after the Franco-Prussian War • Each nation should have its own state • France wanted Alsace-Lorraine returned • Italy wanted Austrian land • Patriotic literature motivated people “my country, right or wrong”

25. Moroccan Crisis • The French wanted to establish a protectorate over Morocco and gained the support of other European countries • The Germans defended the rights of the Moroccans • January 1905 German Chancellor Bulow told Morocco of German support • The Dreyfus affair had wrecked FranceFrance’s ally Russia was busy with JapanFrance was in no position to negotiate

26. Jan 16 Algeciras Conference - Germany optimistica) Britain was France’s only allyb) Italy, Austria-Hungary, US supported Germanyc) Believed Spain would switch sides • German inept diplomacy alienated everyone • Germany was now isolated • Prime Minister of Britain Lord Grey discussed with France and Belgium the possibility of war

27. 1905 - Russia defeated by Japan and loses credibility • 1905 Failed revolution in Russia causes countrywide instability • The Treaty of Berlin had given Austria the right to administer Bosnia-Herzegovina • In 1908 Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia could do nothing without Russian help • Russia and Austria made a deal for mutual prestige

28. Russia acknowledges Austria’s right to Bosnia • Austria agreed with Russian control of the Dardanelles • Austria took control of Bosnia • Russian control of the Dardanelles was rejected • Serbia threatened to invade Bosnia to liberate the Serbs • Austria-Hungary threatened to destroy Serbia • Germany supported Austrian claims to Bosnia • Russia supported Serbia

29. 1. 1911 Tripolitan War - Italy takes Libya from Turkey 2. France sent an occupation force to Fez (Morocco) in May 1911, and Germany concluded it would not permit any revision of the Algeciras Act without some compensation. In July, under the pretext of protecting Germans a gunboat (Panther) was sent to Agadir (MORACCO) to make the French back down.

30. First Balkan War 1912-13 • Italy defeated Turks in Tripoli North Africa • Was a war of saving face to show they could beat someone. • This encouraged Balkan states to rebel against the weak Turks. Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro and Greece fought against the Turks. Treaty of London 1913 Ottomans lost all lands in Europe

31. Second Balkan War 1913 • Serbia, Montenegro, Greece and Rumania joined Turkey to defeat Bulgaria • Treaty of Bucharest 1913 forced Bulgaria to give territory to Rumania, while Serbia gained most of Macedonia. • Russians now feel the need to help Serbia to save their image.

33. The Arms Race

34. By 1908 the German army was getting the most money • By 1914:a) Germany had the second largest navy - behind Britainb) Had pushed Britain closer to France and Russiac) Had wasted considerable money because the fleet was bottled up for most of the ward) If those resources had gone to the army Germany would have won the war • William II was a proponent of the arms race • 1890 German army was 20,0001913 German army was 800,000

35. William was envious of the British • A navy would:a) protect trade routesb) express greatnessc) protect colonies • Naval strength: Britain; France; America; Italy; Germany • 1896 Alfred Tirpitz appointed Minister of Marine(Fisher was his British counterpart)

36. March 1898 - Naval Construction Actcalled for:11 battleships5 heavy cruisers17 small cruisers by 1905 • Tirpitz claimed a navy would make Germany great - (Bismarck had said it would drive Britain to France) • Dec 1899 Hihenlohe called for a “Risk Fleet” - so no power could pose a risk

37. June 1900 a new naval bill:a) called 38 battleships in 20 yearsb) regardless of costc) Reichstag to have no control over spending • 1905 Britain started the H.M.S. Dreadnought • 1906 German starts her own Dreadnought, with demands for 6 before 1918, but their model was susceptible to explosions • Britain was forced into the Naval Panic of 1909 • But Germany couldn’t afford the largest navy and largest army

38. Sarajevo

39. Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne visit Bosnia on Serbian Independence Day • He and his wife are assassinated in Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip • Princip was a member of The Union or Death (Black Hand)

40. This was the spark that ignited the Balkan “powder keg” • His death was the excuse for Austria to move against Serbia • July 6 1914 Germany promised to help Austria in the event of war - the “blank check” • Austria demanded Serbia met their demandsi) condemn anti-Austrian propagandaii) suppress all anti-Austrian publicationsiii) eliminate critical teachers and booksiv) allow Austria control the investigationv) Serbian officers suspected were to be arrested

41. July 22 Austrian ultimatum sent with German approval and demanded a reply in 48 hours • Serbia agreed to all demands except those over sovereignty • Serbia suggested arbitration • Austria refused and:a) severed diplomatic relationsb) ordered partial mobilizationc) euphoria swept across Vienna • Russia was determined to support Serbia

42. Russia considered war inevitable • July 26, issued secret orders for a “period preparatory to war” • July 27 Russia notified Austria if they crossed the Serbian border the Russian army would mobilize • July 28 Austria issued a declaration of war to avoid more discussion • July 29 Austrian artillery bombards Serbia • July 29 Russia declares war against the Dual Monarchy

43. “The lights . . .”

44. France approved of Russian policy • Russia asked Britain to mediate • Britain suggested Austrian occupy part of Serbia • Germany agreed to the Pledge Plan • July 30 Germany gave the plan to Austria • Germany planned a meeting for July 31 • July 31 Austria mobilized against Russia • British Foreign Secretary Grey “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall never see them lit again in our lifetime”

45. The Outbreak of War • Austria hoped for a limited war • Austria declared war on Serbia • German “Blank Check” and urged aggression • British followed isolationist ideals until the violation of Belgium • élan vitale (strength of the people) • Revanche (revenge for 1870) • Most Europeans believed it would be a short and decisive war

46. Germany, committed to fighting Russia in 1914, urged Austria to invade Serbia • Germany was sure they could defeat Franceand Britain would then stay neutral • Germany declared war on Russia and then two days later France • Schlieffen Plan - indicated the Germans anticipated a war on two fronts • August 4 1914 Germany invaded Belgium • France was utterly defeated, but Britain joined the war • Russia mobilized faster than expected • Moltke moved men from the west to the east • Germans reached the Marne River, 40 miles from Paris

47. War in the East • Russians invaded East Prussia defeated at Tannenberg • Austria failing against Serbia and Russia • Germany aided Austria and turned the fight • BUT, Germany was fighting on two fronts • November 1917, revolution in Russia forced them to seek peace

48. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk • Forced by the liberals in Russia • Bolsheviks gain power • Russia loses:Poland, Ukraine, Finland, Baltic Provinces - 34% of Russia’s population89% coal mines32% farmland54% industry

49. The United States • America was sympathetic to the Allies • Anti-German feelings • U-Boats • President Wilson • Lusitania • Resumption of unrestricted submarinewarfare

50. Kaiserschlacht • German’s last offensive before the US joins the war • Major gains to break the deadlock • Battle of Belleau Woods the Allies stopped the Germans • Armistice Day - November 11, 1918