Figure 1.--These German children in 1915 are performing a play entiteled "Deutsch-Österreich" (German-Austria). The roles include a German flag bearer, German sailor, Germania, German soldier, "Rübezahl" (Spirit of the Sudeten Mountains, a fairy-tale character), dwarf Lilliput, Austrian soldier, Austria, Viktoria, Austrian flag bearer, Austrian sailor, Frenchman, Russian, Englishman (in a kilt), and a Japanese soldier. The Dual-Alliance with Austria was Germany's principal security relatinship. It came, however, with a basic problem. Austria-Hungary and Russia were involved in a on-going competition over the Balkans, especially the disposition of the former Ottoman Balkan provinces. Germany had no outstanding issues with Russia, but because of the Dual Alliance, Germany would be dragged into war with Russia. Austria for its part would have never dared awar with Russia, but backed by Germany it challenged Russia by invading Serbia. The result was World War I. The Dual Alliance designed to sercure German and Austrian security thus led to the destruction of both Empires as well as the Russian Empire. .

The German Empire was founded following the Franco-Prussian War (1871). German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck saw this as essentially securing Germany's goals in Europe. He had not even wanted to annex Alsace-Loraine. Bismarck wanted Germany to become a peacemaker and conservative preserver of the European status quo. He had two principal problems. First was Alsace-Loraine which had bought the permanent eminity and France and desire to change the status quo. Second was the Balkans where Russian and Austria differed over the future as the Ottoman Empire deteriorated. The process of Ottoman decline was hastened by the Russo-Turkish War. The Russiands decisively defeated the Ottomans. The Treaty of San Stefano ending the War greatly expanded Russian influence in the Balkans where Pan-Slavism was an important factor. Austria-Hungary which had desisgns of its own in the Balkans was disturbed by the Russian gains. Bismarck organized the Congress of Berlin in which the Great Powers could amicably settle some of the Balkan issues. The Treaty of Berlin that resulted from the conference reversed many of Russia's gains in the Treaty of San Stefano. It also provided the Austrians with compensation for lost territory. Bismarck's attempts to play the role of an "honest broker" at the Congress, but Russo-German relations were impaired by forcing Russia to surrender some of its gains on the battlefield. The Three Emperors' League was discontinued. This left Germany and Austria-Hungary to sign an alliance against Russia. But instead Bismarck's genious as a statesmen came through. Germany did sign at alliance with Austria-Hungary which became known as the Dual Alliance (1879). The Alliance was a defensive military alliance which was activated only if one of the two counties was attacked. Thus Bismarck was free to negotiate with Russia under the premise that the Dual Alliance was not aimed at Russia. The Dual-Alliance with Austria became Germany's principal security relatinship. It came, however, with a basic problem. Austria-Hungary and Russia were involved in a on-going competition over the Balkans, especially the disposition of the former Ottoman Balkan provinces. Germany had no outstanding issues with Russia, but because of the Dual Alliance, Germany would be dragged into war with Russia. Austria for its part would have never dared awar with Russia, but backed by Germany it challenged Russia by invading Serbia. The result was World War I. The Dual Alliance designed to sercure German and Austrian security thus led to the destruction of both Empires as well as the Russian Empire. The Dual Alliance did not require Germany back Austria's invasion of Serbia (July 1914). Kaiser Wilhem was not unwilling to risk war and wrote the Austrians a blank check.

Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)

The German Empire was founded following the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck saw this as essentially securing Germany's goals in Europe. He had not even wanted to annex Alsace-Loraine. The War permitted the unification of a united Germany under the Prussian kingdom, overwealming the more liberal traditions of some other German states. The War was largely provoked by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (the Iron Chancellor) as part of his carefully crafted plan to unify German under Prussian leadership. This result was a huge, poweful state imbued with Prussian militarism and with the power to aggressively persue the new Germany's imperial ambitions. This fundmentally changed the European power ballance. The resulting defeat of Louis Napoleon by the Prussians in 1870 brought the Third Republic to power in 1871. One of the reforms they introduced were smocks for schoolboys, part of the new Republican ideal to reduce the influence of class and privlidge. The two northeastern provinces of France, Alsace-Loraine, were ceded to Germany in the Treaty of Frankfurt. These were both border provinces and there were already large numbers of German-speakers in both provinces, especially Alsace. The population was, however, largely French orientened--even some of the German families. The loss to France was so heart-felt in France that it almost made another war inevitable.

Bismarck's Dilemma

Bismarck wanted Germany to become a peacemaker and conservative preserver of the European status quo. He had two principal problems. First was Alsace-Loraine which had bought the permanent eminity and France and desire to change the status quo. Second was the Balkans where Russian and Austria differed over the future as the Ottoman Empire deteriorated.

Alsace-Loraine

The Balkans

The process of Ottoman decline was hastened by the Russo-Turkish War. The Russiands decisively defeated the Ottomans. The Treaty of San Stefano ending the War greatly expanded Russian influence in the Balkans where Pan-Slavism was an important factor. Austria-Hungary which had desisgns of its own in the Balkans was disturbed by the Russian gains.

Congress of Berlin

Bismarck organized the Congress of Berlin in which the Great Powers could amicably settle some of the Balkan issues. The Treaty of Berlin that resulted from the conference reversed many of Russia's gains in the Treaty of San Stefano. It also provided the Austrians with compensation for lost territory. Bismarck's attempts to play the role of an "honest broker" at the Congress, but Russo-German relations were impaired by forcing Russia to surrender some of its gains on the battlefield.

Three Emperor's League

The Three Emperors' League was discontinued as a result of the problems flowing from the Congress of Berlin. This was a matter of substantial importance. The three Empires (Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Berlin) represented a power block so emense that any common decession could not be challenged. As long as the three emperors were in concert, the security of the empires and the status quo ws assured. The failire of the Evolutions of 1848, for example, was beause the Tsar committed the Russian Army to support the Austrian Empire. The dislolution of the Three Emperors League had profound ramifications for Europe.

Dual Alliance (1879)

The disolution of the Three Emperor's League left Germany and Austria-Hungary to sign an alliance against Russia (1879). This was a major shidt in German hitory. Austria and Prrussia had for centuries been the principal German states and often at odds with each other. The Dual Alliance created what was to be an enduing security relatioinship between the two countries. For Bismarck it provided a critical security arrangement foir the new German Empire. For Austria it provided important security Arrangemments from its Its Powerful northern neighbor. The new relationsjip was called the Dual Alliance. The Alliance was a defensive military alliance which was activated only if one of the two counties was attacked. Their were five articles to the treaty. The first was the most important. "Should, contrary to their hope, and against the loyal desire of the two High Contracting Parties, one of the two Empires be attacked by Russia the High Contracting Parties are bound to come to the assistance one of the other with the whole war strength of their Empires, and accordingly only to conclude peace together and upon mutual agreement."

Bismarkian Diplomacy

Bismarck understood the importance after the signing of the Dual Alliance of maintaining an alliance with Russia. After the signing of the Dul Alliance Treaty, Bismarck's genius as a statesmen came through. While the Treaty to a large degree focused on Russia, it was a defensive alliance. Thus Bismarck was able to convince the Russians that it was not specifically aimed at them. He then proceeded to negotiate with Russia under the premise that the Dual Alliance was not aimed at Russia. Bismarck was at heart a conservative achievement. He had achieved FOR Germany what he thought was its basic interests and borders. Thus he wanted nothing more than to reserect the Three Emperor's League or similar arrangements. This would ensure the status-quo.

Triple Alliance (1882)

Italy was frustrated by the French colonization of Tunisia (1881). This was an African country that Italy haf hoped to colonize. Italy to acquire greater influence, joined the Dual Alliance (Germany and Austria-Hungary). This formed the Triple Alliance (1882).

Reinsurance Treaty (1887)

Despite the difficulties involved, Bismsarck secretly negotiated the Reinsurance Treaty (1887). Even the Austrians, Germany's cloest allies were not informed. It was essentially the same as the Three emperor's League. No power could challenge the three empires. It insured the diplomatic isolation of France, so important for German security. The Reinsurance Treary, was a secret agreement with two major provisions. First, both Germany and Russia agreed to remain neutral should the other be involved in a war with a third country. Neutrality would not apply should Germany attack France or Russia attack Austria-Hungary. Second, Germany declared herself neutral in the event of a Russian intervention to open the Bosporus and the Dardanelles. This was a provision both countries desired to keep secret. This was an essential part of Bismarck's system of "periphere diversion". The Reinsurance Treay did not remain secret. The Hamburger Nachrichten published the details (1896). This resulted in a public outcry in Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Kaiser Wilhelm (1888)

The yer 1888 was the year of the Three Emperors. Kaiser Wilhelm I died, but his son Frederick was aflicted with cancer and thus reined over a few months. The young Wilhelm II was impressed wih himself. He had in fact been flatered courted by his grandfather and Bismarck to win him away from his liberal parents. They succeeded only to well. When he became emperor, he failed to understand Bismarck's great achievements. He infact saw Bismarck as old fashioned and not aggressive enough in pursuing Germany's interests. This was not just a generational difference. It was a basic difference in outlook. Bismarck was primarily interested in preserving the status-quo. The Kaiser was not at all satisfied with the staus-quo. He thought that Germany did not get its just due in international councils. He was particularly disastisfied with slim pickings Germany was managing to obtain in the Scramble for Africa. After only a few years, Wilhelm dismissed Bismarck (1891). And without Bismarck, the treary with Russia was allowed to lapse. The Reinsurance Treaty was largely premised on Bismarck's personal reputation. The German Foreign Ministry felt unable to successfully renew the Treaty. The Russians were prepared to renew it, but their ininiatives were persistently rebuffed by the Germans. It was a mistake of enormous proportions. Wilhelm simply cast away Biskmarck's great success--the Reinsurance Treaty which guaranteed the security of the German Empire. Apparently Wilhelm was sure that the German Army and the Dual Alliance adequately guaranteed German security. Wilhelm impressed as always with his personal abilities, He believed that his personal relationship with the Russian Tsar would be sufficient to ensure friendly diplomatic relations. Wilhelm thought that Bismarck's concentration on Russiawas wrong headed. He was much more interested in Britain. And he saw an opportunity because Anglo-Russian relations were strained. Ruusian persuit of the Great Game in Afghanistan, ininitiatives in the Balkans, and efforts to open the Dardanelles all concerned the British. This might have succeeded had Wilhelm followed this ininitative with responsible diplomacy. He did after all have family ties with the British royal family. Rather belicose promouncements and provicative moves on colonial questions like Morocco, tended to drive the British inTO the hands of the French and Russians. But nothing estrained Germany from the British more than his decession go build a highsea fleet.

Franco-Russian Alliance (1891/94)

The French had learned their lesson in the Franco-Prussian War. They would never again fight Germany without allies, no matter how bady they desired the return of Alsace-Loraine. The problem was that Bismarkian diplomacy effectively isolated the French--the only important repuvlic in Europe. Only Kaiser Wilhelm's failure to renew the Reinsurance Treaty, which the Russians desired, provided an opportunity for France. The French used that opportunity to sign a treaty with Russia (1891). The diplomatic isolation of France which Bismarck had worked so hard to maintain was ended. Friendly contacts led to the signing of a political and military treaty (1892). An additional more formal treaty was signed later (1994), but kept secret. This essentially created two major alliance systems. The existenxe of two powerful alliances created the possibility of a major European war for the first tume since the Napolonic Wars (1800-15).

Flaw in the Dual Alliance

The Dual-Alliance with Austria became Germany's principal security relatinship. It came, however, with a basic problem. Austria-Hungary and Russia were involved in a on-going competition over the Balkans, especially the disposition of the former Ottoman Balkan provinces. Germany had no outstanding issues with Russia, but because of the Dual Alliance, Germany would be dragged into war with Russia.

World War I (1914)

World War was sparked by this basic flaw in the Dual Alliance. Austria's expansion into the Balkans inflamed Serbian barionalists, resulting in the assasinaion of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Austria invaded Serbia to punish it, despite Russian warnings that they would support Serbia. Austria for its part would have never dared awar with Russia, but backed by Germany it challenged Russia by invading Serbia. The result was World War I. The Dual Alliance designed to sercure German and Austrian security thus led to the destruction of both Empires as well as the Russian Empire. The Dual Alliance did not require Germany back Austria's invasion of Serbia (July 1914). Kaiser Wilhem was not unwilling to risk war and wrote the Austrians a blank check.

Created: 12:54 AM 11/12/2007
Last updated: 12:54 AM 11/12/2007