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Were the foreign policies of European governments before 1914 conducive to the outbreak of war
The First World War began through a complex series of events, which had distant roots in the history foreign policies of the governments of the European countries. That a conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia would escalate into Europe-wide war is not easy to explain, but it is certain that the respective foreign policies of European governments had more than just a small part to play. A build-up of rivalry had been evident in the preceding twenty years, with the creation of two ‘blocs’, the Triple Alliance, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; and the Triple Entente, which included Britain, France and Russia. The network of alliances that led to the two blocs has been described by Lowes Dickinson as a period of “international anarchy”. The foreign policies prior to 1914 were most definitely conducive to the outbreak of war, and essential in the escalation to Europe-wide war.
The Franco-Prussian war of 1870 and subsequent German unification changed the balance of power in Europe; Germany grew to become the strongest military power on the continent while also rapidly industrialising. By 1910, Germany produced three times as much iron as France, four times as much steel and seven times as much coal. This threatened France, who had been humiliated by the Germans in 1870 and were keen to seek revenge, while also regaining the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine that they had lost to the Germans.
Prior to 1890, it could be argued that the foreign policies of the European nations, especially those of Germany were not conducive to the outbreak of war. The German Chancellor, Bismarck, had created a Europe that could exist peacefully. Through a series of alliances, Bismarck was able to isolate France, as he sought to secure peace and stability in Europe. “In the short term he was successful, but his policies had long term repercussions which helped to undermine the post 1871 peace settlements he had done so much to establish.” Bismarck’s system was very fragile, and when he was removed by the new German Kaiser in 1890, it began to fall apart leaving a Europe that was deeply divided and ripe for conflict.
The fragility of the settlement became evident almost immediately after Bismarck had been removed. The reinsurance treaty with Russia was not renewed, leaving Germany open to attack from both the eastern and western fronts. Additionally, the German agreements with Austria-Hungary “could be used by a declining Austria-Hungary to drag Germany into the southeast European minefield, and to force her to agree to military assistance against the Russians”. The balance of power in Europe, carefully created by Bismarck was being disrupted as Germany attempted to become a major power, one that could rival Britain.
Germany forged new goals in their foreign policy than had been evident under Bismarck, they “wanted to enhance the prestige of the government and undermine support for its enemies by conducting a strong forward policy”. This included rivaling Britain’s superiority among colonial empires, through the process of Weltpolitik. The Germans also wanted to build up [next page]