IB History HL WWI

The unification of Germany (1871)

Fundamentally altered the European balance of power by creating a strong, centralized state in the heart of Europe under Prussian leadership.

Otto von Bismarck

Prussian Chancellor who masterminded the unification of Germany through wars and diplomacy.

Wars of German Unification

Series of wars (Denmark 1864, Austria 1866, France 1870-71) that enabled Bismarck to unify Germany under Prussian dominance.

Impact of German Unification

Created a powerful new state that disrupted the existing European balance and generated tension and an arms race.

France's desire for revanche

France's determination to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine, lost to Germany after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71).

Bismarck's foreign policy goal

To consolidate Germany's position by maintaining peace in Europe and isolating France diplomatically.

Bismarck's alliance system

Defensive network aimed at avoiding a two-front war and keeping France isolated through alliances with Austria-Hungary and Russia.

Dreikaiserbund (1873)

Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia to preserve conservative monarchies and oppose socialism/republicanism.

Dual Alliance (1879)

Military alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary promising mutual support if attacked by two or more powers.

Triple Alliance (1882)

Expansion of the Dual Alliance to include Italy, forming a bloc against potential adversaries like France or Russia.

Reinsurance Treaty (1887)

Secret agreement between Germany and Russia ensuring mutual neutrality in most conflicts, preventing a Franco-Russian alliance.

Kaiser Wilhelm II (1888-1918)

German emperor whose aggressive policies and dismissal of Bismarck undermined European stability.

"Weltpolitik"

Wilhelm II's world policy emphasizing colonial expansion and naval buildup, challenging Britain's global dominance.

Anglo-German naval arms race

Competition between Germany and Britain to build larger and more advanced navies, increasing rivalry and mistrust.

Non-renewal of the Reinsurance Treaty (1890)

Germany's failure to renew the treaty pushed Russia toward alliance with France, ending Bismarck's balance strategy.

Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)

Military alliance between France and Russia formed in response to Germany's growing power and isolation tactics.

Britain's "splendid isolation"

Britain's 19th-century policy of avoiding permanent alliances, later abandoned due to Germany's aggressive expansion.

Entente Cordiale (1904)

Agreement between Britain and France settling colonial disputes, marking the end of British isolation.

Triple Entente (1907)

Alliance formed between Britain, France, and Russia, counterbalancing the Triple Alliance and dividing Europe into rival blocs.

Effect of alliance systems

Created interlocking, secretive military commitments that heightened tension and made large-scale war more likely.

Imperial Expansion in Africa and Asia

Period of intense imperial competition among European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries driven by economic motives, need for raw materials, and Social Darwinist ideologies.

Scramble for Africa

Rapid European colonization of Africa by 1900; most territories were already divided, forcing powers to compete for influence and resources.

Germany's "Weltpolitik"

Aggressive imperial and naval expansion policy under Kaiser Wilhelm II seeking "a place under the sun" and challenging Britain's dominance.

Impact of German imperialism on diplomacy

Germany's late entry into colonial competition created friction and crises, notably with Britain and France.

First Moroccan Crisis (1905)

Germany challenged French influence in Morocco to weaken the Anglo-French Entente but instead strengthened it and isolated Germany.

Second Moroccan (Agadir) Crisis (1911)

Germany sent the gunboat Panther to Agadir demanding trade concessions, alarming Britain and France and reinforcing their alliance.

Effect of Moroccan Crises

Increased suspicion of Germany, strengthened Entente ties, and deepened the polarization of Europe into rival blocs.

Japanese expansion in Asia

Japan modernized and pursued imperial dominance over Manchuria, Korea, and China during the late 19th-early 20th centuries.

Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)

Japan's victory over China demonstrated its growing power and secured control over Korea and Taiwan.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)

Japan's victory over Russia shocked Europe, marking the first Asian defeat of a European power and cementing Japan as a major power.

Japan during World War I

Exploited Europe's distraction to seize German colonies in China (Shandong) and the Pacific, asserting regional dominance.

Twenty-One Demands (1915)

Japan's ultimatum to China seeking extensive political and economic privileges; provoked concern from the U.S. and Britain.

Impact of Japanese imperialism

Heightened regional tensions and alarmed Western powers over Japan's growing influence in East Asia.

Global implications of imperialism

European and Asian rivalries over colonies, resources, and markets increased tension and competition, making conflict more likely.

British global empire and alliances

Britain's vast empire meant any European conflict involving Entente partners would escalate into a global war.

Congress of Berlin (1878)

Meeting convened by Bismarck to revise the Treaty of San Stefano after Russia's victory over the Ottoman Empire and to stabilize the Balkans.

Aims of the Congress of Berlin

Ease tensions between Austria-Hungary and Russia, maintain balance of power, limit Russian expansion, and restrain Pan-Slavic nationalism.

Bismarck's role at Berlin Congress

Acted as "honest broker," mediating between powers to reorganize the Balkans and preserve European peace.

Outcomes of the Congress of Berlin

Reduced Russian gains, allowed Austria-Hungary to administer Bosnia-Herzegovina, and recognized independence of Romania, Montenegro, and Serbia.

Short-term successes of the Congress

Temporarily reduced Balkan tensions, prevented war until 1912, and maintained balance by blocking Russian access to the Bosporus.

Long-term failures of the Congress

Left Russia dissatisfied, weakened the Dreikaiserbund, ignored Slavic nationalism, and planted seeds of future Balkan crises.

Bosnia-Herzegovina issue

Austria-Hungary's administration (1878) and later annexation (1908) angered Serbia and Russia, worsening relations and increasing Balkan instability.

Link between Berlin Congress and WWI

The unresolved Balkan tensions and Russian resentment contributed to the conditions leading to the First World War.

Bismarck's Defensive Alliance System (1870s-1880s)

Network of treaties (Dual Alliance 1879, Triple Alliance 1882, Reinsurance Treaty 1887) to isolate France and maintain peace.

Purpose of Bismarck's alliances

Avoid a two-front war and keep France diplomatically isolated while balancing relations with Austria-Hungary and Russia.

Shift under Kaiser Wilhelm II (from 1890)

Abandoned Bismarck's Realpolitik; pursued Weltpolitik and failed to renew the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia.

Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)

Formed after Germany's rejection of Russia, establishing the two-front scenario Germany had long sought to prevent.

Entente Cordiale (1904)

Agreement between Britain and France settling colonial disputes, marking the end of Britain's isolation.

Triple Entente (1907)

Alliance between Britain, France, and Russia forming a counterweight to the Triple Alliance and dividing Europe into two camps.

Effect of alliance systems

Created rigid, interlocking commitments that increased tension and made a local conflict (e.g., July Crisis 1914) escalate into global war.

Alliance obligations and escalation

Mutual defense promises meant that once one state mobilized, others were drawn in, transforming a Balkan conflict into World War I.

Change in German leadership (1890)

Kaiser Wilhelm II replaced Bismarck as Chancellor, marking a decisive shift from defensive Realpolitik to aggressive Weltpolitik.

Bismarck's foreign policy goal

Maintain European equilibrium through defensive alliances and isolation of France.

Wilhelm II's Weltpolitik

Aggressive expansionist policy aiming for colonial empire, global influence, and naval power.

"Place under the sun"

Wilhelm II's slogan expressing Germany's desire for equal imperial standing with Britain and France.

Germany's industrial strength

By 1914, Germany had surpassed Britain as Europe's industrial leader, fueling ambitions for global recognition.

Public and nationalist pressure

National Liberal Party and Colonial Union (Kolonialverein) demanded colonies, pushing for expansionist policies.

Militarism and nationalism

Weltpolitik reflected domestic militaristic and nationalist sentiments; the Kaiser personified these ideals.

Economic motives for Weltpolitik

Colonies seen as markets for goods and sources of raw materials amid protectionism and economic downturns.

"German Europe" idea

Belief that German economic dominance could shield Europe from British and American competition.

Domestic unity motive

Colonialism used to unite Germans behind the Kaiser and distract from domestic tensions, especially during elections.

Comparison to Italy

Like Italy's use of colonialism for domestic unity, Germany used foreign policy to strengthen internal cohesion.

Fear of encirclement

Germany's aggressive naval buildup and alliances created anxiety about being surrounded by hostile powers.

Two-front war concern

The German military feared simultaneous conflict with France in the west and Russia in the east.

Anglo-German Naval Arms Race

Germany's naval buildup directly challenged Britain's supremacy, leading to a costly and tense arms race.

Dreadnought competition

Germany secretly copied British dreadnought battleship designs, escalating naval rivalry.

Kruger Telegram (1896)

Wilhelm II congratulated Boer leader Kruger for resisting Britain, causing outrage and worsening Anglo-German relations.

Moroccan Crises (1905 & 1911)

Germany's attempts to weaken France's position in Morocco backfired, strengthening the Anglo-French Entente.

End of "Splendid Isolation"

Britain abandoned isolation due to German aggression, forming alliances with Japan (1902), France (1904), and Russia (1907).

British perception of Germany

Saw Germany's naval and imperial ambitions as a direct threat to its global dominance.

Franco-German rivalry

France sought revenge ("revanche") for the loss of Alsace-Lorraine after 1871, fueling hostility toward Germany.

Effect of Moroccan Crises on France

German interference in Morocco strengthened France's alliances with Britain and Russia.

Non-renewal of Reinsurance Treaty

Pushed Russia toward alliance with France (1894), creating a two-front danger for Germany.

Strengthening of Entente Cordiale

Germany's aggressive diplomacy solidified French-British cooperation.

Reinsurance Treaty lapse (1890)

Wilhelm II's refusal to renew the treaty alienated Russia and drove it into alliance with France (1894).

Bismarck's financial snub (1887)

Germany's earlier refusal of loans further worsened relations with Russia.

Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)

Military alliance committing mutual mobilization if any Triple Alliance power mobilized.

Balkan rivalry

Germany's alliance with Austria-Hungary conflicted with Russia's role as protector of Slavs.

Bosnian Crisis (1908)

Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia with German backing, humiliating Russia and straining relations.

Russian rearmament

Post-1908 humiliation pushed Russia into major military reforms and expansion.

German fear of Russian growth

By 1914, Germany's leaders feared Russia's rapid industrial and military rise.

Quote by Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg

"Russia had become a nightmare... there must be a war before it is too late."

Dual Alliance (1879)

Bound Germany to support Austria-Hungary if attacked by multiple opponents.

Triple Alliance (1882)

Expanded the Dual Alliance to include Italy, forming a defensive bloc.

German support in Balkans

Germany's backing emboldened Austria-Hungary's aggressive Balkan policies.

"Blank Cheque" (July 1914)

Germany's unconditional support for Austria-Hungary encouraged the ultimatum to Serbia and escalation to war.

Bosnian Crisis (1908)

Germany's support for Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia worsened tensions with Serbia and Russia.

Perception of aggressiveness

German-Austrian cooperation appeared increasingly expansionist and threatening to other powers.

Shift from defensive to aggressive policy

Replaced Bismarck's cautious diplomacy with imperialistic, militarized foreign policy.

Heightened European tensions

Aggressive policies provoked rival alliances and mistrust among major powers.

Formation of rival blocs

Weltpolitik contributed to the formation of the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente.

Increased likelihood of warShift from defensive to aggressive policy

Replaced Bismarck's cautious diplomacy with imperialistic, militarized foreign policy.

Heightened European tensions

Aggressive policies provoked rival alliances and mistrust among major powers.

Formation of rival blocs

Weltpolitik contributed to the formation of the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente.

Increased likelihood of war

Arms race, alliance rigidity, and diplomatic isolation made large-scale conflict more probable by 1914.Arms race, alliance rigidity, and diplomatic isolation made large-scale conflict more probable by 1914.

Militarism Definition

A societal emphasis on military power, characterized by rising defense budgets, military influence, and glorification of war.

European Armies' Growth (1890-1914)

France's army increased by 68%, Russia's by 100%, and Britain's by 77%, showing a general militarization of Europe.

Anglo-German Naval Arms Race

Germany's drive to build a navy to rival Britain's led to the "dreadnought" battleship competition, worsening tensions and fueling paranoia.

Technological Advancements

Industrialization enabled new weaponry like long-range artillery and machine guns, encouraging preemptive war thinking.

War Plans

Nations developed rigid war strategies (e.g. Germany's Schlieffen Plan, France's Plan XVII) that made rapid escalation unavoidable once mobilization began.