German Foreign Relations

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Recommended: Examine the roles of Bismarck.

German Foreign Relations

Change in foreign policy-

“After the downturns in the economy of 1873 and 1882, a consensus

emerged in favour of foreign trade and the acquisition of colonies as

one answer to Germany’s over production.” – Abrams Lynn

Colonial policy: to divert destabilizing energies at home into

enthusiasm for foreign adventure and expansion. [ called social

imperialism, was followed more deliberately by Wilhelm II and Caprivi

as tensions at home grew more dangerous after 1890 ]

‘diverting revolutionary elements towards imperialism, in order to

turn the nation’s gaze abroad and bring its sentiments on to common

ground’ – Abrams Lynn

Imperialism as a safety valve, protecting Germany from a socialist

revolution

“My map of Africa is in Europe”- Bismarck

Protectorates: Cameroon, Togoland, South West Africa, East Africa, one

or two in Pacific

Economic groups: Colonial Union, Society for German Colonization

However: Germany did not witness spontaneous outbursts of enthusiasm

for colonies as occurred in Britain

Bismarck liked to portray himself as an honest broker- Germany was now

firmly established as player, wished to consolidate her position

[ 1878 Congress of Berlin, Russian bore a grudge against the lack of

support from Germany ]

Bismarck’s Objectives

- Attempt to maintain European peace- essential for the security of

the Empire and its commercial prosperity

- Prevent France from mounting a serious challenge to the new Empire

- Avoid a war on two fronts

- Avoid having to make a choice btw Austria Hungary and Russia

- Germany is in a majority of three to two in any alliance...

... middle of paper ...

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[IMAGE]

Late 1890s

- Foreign imperial policy took center stage

- Anglo-French entente signed in 1904

- Bismarckian alliance system had been dismantled in the space of five

years, and Germany found itself isolated, surrounded by potentially

hostile powers

Kaiser

- Influenced by Von Tirpitz (seized Kiao Chow in1897, alienating

Russia, embarked on navy policy 1898 Naval Bill)

Fischer and Wehler: Germany was at fault

Wehler emphasized the primacy of domestic policy in the development of

foreign policy and proposed that the anachronistic character of the

Second Empire was to blame for the descent into war

“By 1914 war was the only and final means by which the ruling elites

could seek to maintain their power against the threat of new social

forces, an ‘escape forwards’” – Abrams Lynn

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