World War I (1)

World War I (Evolution of the alliance) 2

EUROPE OF THE EVE OF WAR

Evolution of the Alliances.

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 had left Germany the most powerful nation of Continental Europe. France, forced to cede the province of Alsace and part of Lorraine and to pay a large indemnity to Germany, had nonetheless recovered quickly and by 1914 was second only to Germany among the Continental powers.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire was plagued with continuing internal unrest among its many nationalities. The desire of many of the Slavs in the southern provinces to join neighboring Serbia had intensified friction among the empire's Germanic, Magyar, and Slavic peoples. The Austrians nevertheless hoped to increase their strength and territory in the Balkans at the expense of the disintegrating Ottoman Empire. They thereby antagonized Russia, which also hoped to absorb much of the Ottoman territory.

Russia, although the largest nation in Europe, was in some respects even weaker than Austria-Hungary. In addition to its staggering defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), tsarist Russia was also plagued by revolutionary unrest and industrial backwardness.

These conflicting national interests led to the creation of two rival alliance systems. In 1879, Germany's chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, concluded a defensive accord with Austria-Hungary against Russia. Within three years Italy, a rival of France in the Mediterranean, had joined Germany and Austria-Hungary to create the Triple Alliance. Germany and Austria agreed to support in the event of an attack by France, in exchange for italian agreement to remain neutral in case of war between Austria-Hungary and Russia.

Bismarck, who feared the possibility of an alliance between France and Russia against Germany, sought to prevent it by concluding (1887) a Reinsurance Treaty with Russia. He also attempted to maintain friendly relations with Great Britain. In 1890, however, young Emperor William II dismissed Bismarck from the Chancellorship. He allowed the Reinsurance Treaty to lapse, and in 1894, Bismarck's fear became a reality with the formation of a Franco-Russian alliance. William, moreover, soon aroused British suspicions by his imperialistic policies and by his intensified effort to build up the German fleet, threatening Britain's position as the dominant European Naval power. This situation led to the formation of the Anglo-French Entente in 1904. By supporting Austrian ambitions in the Balkans, William also further embittered Russia, which in 1907 concluded an entente with Britain. Thus Britain, France, and Russia, previously fierce rivals in colonial expansion, came together in the Triple Entente.

Several smaller countries became directly involved in the alliances, dividing Europe into two armed camps. In order to prevent further Austrian expansion into the Balkans, and out of sympathy with what was regarded as a "little Slavic sister", Russia pledged to aid Serbia in case of war with Austria-Hungary. Belgium was in an anomalous position because its neutrality had been guaranteed (1839) by Britain, France, Russia, Prussia (Germany), and Austria.

Bibliography:

Ramsey III, Robert D., American Academic Encyclopedia