World War I - Germany

Cause and Course, pertaining to Germany.

When was Realpolitik in effect?

• 1871 - 1890

Who led during Realpolitik’s effect?

• Kaiser Wilhelm I

What is the idea and core values of Realpolitik?

• Forming alliances

• Preventing aggressive actions

• Aimed to keep France isolated, maintain peace, and avoid a two-front war.

• TLDR: Passive

What were some key actions completed under Realpolitik?

• Created Dreikaiserbund (1873), Dual Alliance (1879), Triple Alliance (1882), Reinsurance Treaty (1887)

• TLDR: Created treaties and alliances

What was the Reinsurance Treaty? When was it signed?

• The Reinsurance Treaty was a secret diplomatic agreement between Germany and Russia.

• 1887

Why was the Reinsurance Treaty important to Germany?

• If either Russia or Germany were attacked by a third party (e.g., Austria or France), the other would remain neutral. Exception: Germany would support Austria if it attacked Russia, due to the Dual Alliance.

• TLDR: Neutrality with Russia (Isolate France)

What is the idea and the core ideologies behind Weltpolitik?

• Expansionism

• Germany as a world power

• Militarism

• Nationalism

• TLDR: Aggressive expansion

What time period was Weltpolitik in effect?

1897 - 1914

Who was in rule of Germany during Weltpolitik?

• Kaiser Wilhelm II

Was Weltpolitik successful in its goals?

• Weltpolitik had the opposite effect, leading to diplomatic isolation, military rivalry, and heightened fear among other powers.

• TLDR: No, pretty much

What did Weltpolitik contribute to WWI’s outbreak?

• Overall tensions, including some specific notable events that furthered tensions.

• Worsened global relations with countries such as Britain

When was the Naval Arms Race? What was it?

• 1906 - 1912 at its peak

• Germany attempted to grow their naval power to surpass Britain's naval fleet.

What was the Two-Power Standard?

• Britain committed to maintaining a navy as strong as the next two largest navies combined

How did the naval arms race further tensions?

• Britain further sow Germany as an opponent

• Tensions grew militaristically

What was the first Moroccan Crisis? When was it?

• Germany opposed French influence in Morocco, where France was trying to establish a protectorate.

• Germany attempted to split Britain and France by putting diplomatic pressure on them.

• In the end, Germany was diplomatically isolated; only Austria-Hungary supported them.

• 1905-1906

When was the second Moroccan Crisis?

• 1911

What happened in the second Moroccan Crisis?

• France sent troops to Fez to suppress a rebellion and expand its control. Germany responded by sending the gunboat SMS Panther to the port of Agadir, claiming to protect German citizens.

• Germany was attempting to intimidate France and force territorial compensation in central Africa.

• Britain backed France, fearing German control of a key Atlantic port.

• Tensions spiked; war was briefly considered.

What was Fritz Fischers thesis on WWI?

• He believed Germany deliberately provoked a European war in order to achieve domination of Europe and global power.

• TLDR: Germany intentionally wanted war.