Session 3: From Bismarck's Diplomatic Order to the Coming of WWI

Bismarcks alliance system was a tribute to his ingenuity but lacked both utility and
cohesion. Would you agree?

Context: Otto von Bismarck is known as the founder of the German Empire. He was Prussia's
prime minister from 1862 to 1873 and was Germanys first chancellor from 1871 to 1890. He
lead the Germans to victory in the Austro-Prussian war of 1866 and in the Franco-Prussian war
of 1870. According to Steinberg, his achievements in 186271 were "the greatest diplomatic
and political achievement by any leader in the last two centuries."
How does it show Bismarck ingenuity? Did it lack utility/cohesion?

Three Emperors Treaty 1873 Alliance between the German Empire,
Dreikaiserbund The Russian Empire and Austria-Hungary.
(1873-75 & 81-87) -Showed Bismarcks plan to eliminate the
threat of a two front war for Germany in case
of a Franco-German war.
1881 Treaty was renewed and stated that no
territorial changes should take place in the
Balkans without prior agreement and that
Austria could annex Bosnia and Herzegovina
when it wished
On one hand, Slaves in Austria were
sympathetic to their Balkan brothers in
Serbia and Herzegovina. On the other,
Russia wanted to protect the Orthodox
christians in the Ottoman Empire
=> Territorial conflicts in the Balkans in
the so called the Great Eastern Crisis
Also, Germany refused to create a
german-Russian army
Treaty lacked cohesion between coun-
tries, which led to Russias withdrawal.

Dual Alliance (1879)
Context: Events in the Balkans
Russia withdrew the Dreikaiserbund a fter the
Congress of Berlin in 1878 because of
tensions with Austria. Germany and Austria
then signed the Dual Alliance, which:
Would secure Germanys southern frontier in
the event of a war with Russia
Would frighten Russia into seeking a closer
relationship with Germany.
This treaty was signed secretly so Russia
woudnt make an alliance with France. It
stated mutual protection in case of a war
against Russia, but neutrality if it was
against another country.
This treaty and the fact that Germany
didnt intervene in the Eastern Crisis was
seen as an anti-Russian act.

Triple Alliance (1881)
The Dual alliance was enlarged into the Triple
Alliance when Italy joined in 1882.
Renewed until WWI
Bismarck didnt see Italy as a real ally, as
he thought its military and political power
were poor. The alliance lacked unity as
Bismarck only signed it with Italy in order
to deprive France of a potential ally.

The reinsurance treaty 1887- 1890 Secret Agreement between When the treaty was not renewed in 1890,
(1887-1890) Germany and Russia. a Franco-Russian alliance rapidly began
Bismarck wanted to avoid a combined two to take s hape.
front attack from French and Russian.
The major issue of this treaty is that each party
would remain neutral if the other became
involved in a war with a third great power.
Conclusion: Kissinger: Although I admire Bismarcks subtle power games, I believe their result
is what sowed the seeds of Germanys 20th century tragedies.