How did the German policy of Weltpolitik cause tension in this period?

What did Germany embark on in 1897?

A policy of weltpolitik (world policy)

What was this?

This was a rejection of Bismarck's cautious policies.

What was the emphasis now on?

Expansion, colonies and a large navy.

What was this?

This was Wilhelm's attempt to stamp Germany's mark as a great power.

What did the Kaiser want?

"A place in the sun" for Germany.

What did he want Germany's economic might to be matched with?

An equally impressive empire.

What did the quest for an overseas empire cause?

Tension between the great power.

What did the need for a large navy as part of the policy of weltpolitik cause?

An intense naval rivalry with Britain.

What was one of the reasons for the policy of Weltpolitik?

That world affairs directed the German people's attention away from domestic problems.

What had industrial growth seen?

Both the working class and middle class in Germany become larger.

What did both groups now want?

More political power.

What was the Kaiser particularly worried about?

The growth of the German socialist party SPD.

What did Weltpolitik add to Germany's overseas empire?

Added little and merely increased tensions with Britain and France.

What did the German government increase?

Tensions to breaking point during the two Moroccan Crises (1905 and 1911)

What was the first Moroccan crisis provoked by?

Germany after a French mission arrived in the Moroccan capital, Fez.

Where did the Kaiser land?

The Kaiser landed at the Moroccan port on tangier declaring his intention of upholding the independence of Morocco.

What did the Kaiser demand?

The Kaiser demanded an international conference to discuss the question of Morocco.

What does it seem?

It seems that Germany was hoping to break the Anglo- French entente by proving to France that Britain was not a reliable ally.

What was it then believed that France would do?

Turn to Germany.

What did the French do?

Gave way and a conference met at Algeciras in 1906.

What was the conference?

A diplomatic victory for Germany.

However, what did the British support?

The French fully at the conference and France secured virtual control of the police and the state bank in Morocco.

What was Algeciras for German prestige?

A blow and the entente between francs and Britain remained firm.

What was the second Moroccan crisis of 1911?

A significant clash between Germany on one side and Britain and France on the other.

When was the crisis sparked?

The crisis was sparked in July 1911 when Germany sent the panther, a gunboat, to the Moroccan port of Agadir in response to the French invasion of Fez.

What did Germany demand the whole of?

The whole of the French Congo, hoping that negotiations would lead to some territorial gains for Germany in return for her acceptance of a French protectorate over Morocco.

What did the German plan do?

Backfired.

When was Britain alarmed?

When their enquirers to Berlin met with no response.

What speech did Lloyd George make?

The mansion house speech, in which he made it clear that Britain would not be ignored.

What did the British government do?

Over reacted by putting the fleet on alert and finalizing plans for military assistance to France.

What was signed in November?

A Franco-German agreement.

What were the consequences of the crisis?

Anglo-German rivalry reached new heights, the German public was unhappy about the small amount of Congo gained and the Anglo-French entente pulled tighter.

What did Britain negotiate in 1912-13?

A naval agreement with France, making Britain responsible for the channel whilst France was to guard the Mediterranean.

What have some historians pointed to as a long term cause of the Great War?

German nationalism.

What did the pan-German league aim to include?

All Germans within Germany.

What did these nationalists want to see?

Germany expand at the expense of other states.