Week 11
European diplomacy before the First World War (1890-1914)
Prof. Idlir Lika Explaining the relative rise and decline of great powers in the world (1890
By 1903, GERMANY controlled the largest percentage (37 %) of industrial output in Europe (larger even than Britain) and the German army was the most powerful in the world Thus, by 1903, Germany for the first time was a potential hegemon in Europe Having the largest economic and military power in Europe, post-Bismarck German leaders reversed Bismarcks foreign policy
they now wanted to establish German hegemony over Europe, expand Germanys borders and make Germany a colonial power (a policy referred to as Weltpolitik)