Outbreak of WW1

1. Outbreak of WW1

2. Review • Bismarck united Germany in 1871 through three wars and clever diplomacy • After 1871, Bismarck became concerned with maintaining peace for Germany • How had the unification of Germany changed European diplomacy? • How had English and French imperialism affected German diplomacy? • Which areas of Europe had been included in the Ottoman Empire?

3. 1878 Congress of Berlin • In 1875 Russo-Turkish War, Russia supported Slavic peoples in Balkans • 1878 Congress of Berlin: gave voice to England, France, Germany to partition Ottoman European lands • Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro put under Austrian control, but remained part of Ottoman Empire officially • Britain given Cyprus; France given Tunisia; Russia given Bessarabia • German diplomatic power recognized; balance of power sought and maintained

4. The Dual Alliance • Alienation of Russia led Bismarck to conclude secret Dual Alliance treaty with Austria for mutual defense • Bismarck expected reactionary Russia to stay unallied from republican France • Italy joined Dual Alliance to counter French expansion in Mediterranean (Algeria etc.) • Bismarck concluded neutrality pact with Russia • Bismarck later dismissed by Wilhelm II, who wanted more aggressive build-up of navy: German diplomatic plans unraveled Emperor Franz Joseph

5. Increasing Tensions • Political isolation drove Russia to ally secretly with France • German ambitions drove Britain to ally with France; • Traditionally opposed France but allied with France in Crimea; cooperated at Congress of Berlin • Germany antagonized Britain over African colonies and ship building • 1904 Entente Cordiale settled colonial differences between England and France 1908 Postcard celebrating Franco-British Exhibition and universal peace

6. 1st Moroccan Crisis 1906 • William encouraged a Moroccan rebellion and demanded European conference • Conference confirmed French control, foiling German hopes • Britain signed entente with Russia, fearing German naval race and colonial meddling • Russia and Austria agreed that Austria would seize Balkans and Russia would seize Dardanelles • Austria took Balkans before Russia could act, humiliating Russia • Germany, ignorant of Austrian plans, was forced to accept Austrian gains Italian Cartoon, 1915

7. 2nd Moroccan Crisis, 1911 • France squashed Moroccan rebellion, which brought German warship to Morocco • France conceded some Congo territory to Germany for German acceptance of French in Morocco • Increased English fear of Germany • Balkan Wars erupted when Italy attacked Ottoman Empire to gain Libya • Tensions between Austria and Russia increased over role in Balkans, esp Serbia German ship, Panther, whose presence off Morocco helped trigger 2nd crisis

8. Balkan Wars 1912-1913 • Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece fought against Ottoman empire to gain territory • After defeating Turks, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece fought each other for land • Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria all increased territory • Serbs and Slavs resented Austria-Hungarian control over Balkan areas

9. 1914 • June 28, 1914: Serbian “Black Hand” terrorists/nationalists assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to Austrian throne • Germany encouraged Austria to attack Serbia, and promised alliance • Austria delivered ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia accepted • Despite acceptance, Austria attacked Serbia

10. 1914 • Russia mobilized forces in preparation for war against Austria • Britain desperately pleaded for Austria to avoid war • Germany’s Schlieffen Plan required defeating France before fighting Russia • Germany mobilized, and invaded Belgium • Britain and France mobilized to defend Belgium (and France)