Germany and Bismark

Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor of Germany from 1871 to 1890, was a master of international diplomacy and sought to maintain the balance of power in Europe through a complex web of alliances and agreements. Bismarck recognized that the growing power of Germany threatened the existing balance of power, and he sought to prevent the formation of any alliances that might threaten Germany's security and interests.

To keep England and France from becoming allies, Bismarck pursued a policy of isolating France and maintaining good relations with England. This policy was known as "Bismarck's System" or the "Diplomatic Isolation of France". Bismarck achieved this by signing a series of agreements with other European powers, such as the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879, and the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy in 1882.

Bismarck also used his diplomatic skills to prevent England and France from forming an alliance. In 1875, when France proposed an alliance with England, Bismarck intervened and offered a series of concessions to England to prevent the alliance from forming. He also encouraged the British to pursue a policy of "splendid isolation" and avoid getting involved in continental affairs.

Bismarck's policy was successful in preventing an alliance between England and France during his tenure as Chancellor. However, after his dismissal in 1890, the balance of power in Europe began to shift, and the relationship between England and France began to improve. This led to the formation of the Entente Cordiale in 1904, which marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the two powers and laid the groundwork for the Allied victory in World War I.

When Bismarck was dismissed as Chancellor in 1890, there was a significant shift in German foreign policy. His successor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, pursued a more aggressive and confrontational approach towards foreign policy, which included a break with the diplomatic isolation of France.

Wilhelm II saw himself as a "world ruler" and sought to expand Germany's power and influence both within Europe and beyond. He pursued a policy of Weltpolitik, or "world policy," which aimed to make Germany a global power and secure its position as a leading industrial and military nation.

As part of this policy, Wilhelm II began to distance himself from the alliances and agreements that Bismarck had put in place. In 1890, he allowed the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia to lapse, which had been a cornerstone of Bismarck's policy of maintaining the balance of power in Europe. This created a power vacuum in Europe and led to Russia seeking closer ties with France, which ultimately contributed to the formation of the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1894.

Wilhelm II also pursued a more aggressive foreign policy towards Britain, which he saw as a rival to Germany's economic and naval power. He initiated a naval arms race with Britain, which strained relations between the two countries and contributed to the formation of the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia in 1907.

Overall, the shift in German foreign policy under Wilhelm II contributed to the breakdown of the balance of power in Europe and ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Bismarck's policy of maintaining the balance of power and avoiding alliances and confrontations had been successful in preventing a major war for nearly 40 years, but his dismissal and the aggressive policies pursued by Wilhelm II ultimately led to the collapse of this system and the outbreak of a devastating global conflict.

Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024