essay
H ALKUBRA
Path_to_WWI1.pptxThe Path to WWI
THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
Germany
Rapid industrialization and modernization after unification
Bismarck extends vote to all adult males
weakens the middle-classes
introduces socialist legislation to pre-empt socialist politicians
essentially an authoritarian regime
emperor at the helm
Parliament/military filled with upper-middle-class, aristocratic leaders
brought a new balance of power to the Continent
strengthened the cause for imperial ventures
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THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
France
French found new competition with/second place power position to Germany difficult
Political and cultural conflicts develop, including the Paris Commune, another revolution
political division between monarchists and republicans on the national stage
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THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
Great Britain
Increased suffrage by 1884
almost all males had the right to vote and could do so democratically
Had difficulty extending resources and infrastructure to the empire in both the isles and abroad
feared the growing economic strength of the U.S. and Germany in the late 19th Century
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THE GREAT POWERS IN EUROPE
Russia and Austria-Hungary
Both weakened by nationalism
very ethnically diverse empires
Russia remained economically “backwards”
Stays authoritarian
Alexander’s successors resist all forms of social change
Russia’s weakness (politically, economically, militarily) exposed in Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05
Austro-Hungarian Empire deeply divided along ethnic lines
efforts to maintain empire by force in Balkans creates political tension in Russia that would have disastrous effects (the reason for the outbreak of WWI)
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The West Outside of Europe
The United States
late 19th Century a period of dramatic economic/social growth
Immigrants poured into the country, fueling industrialization
40 million between 1880 and 1920
By 1900 is the world’s leading industrial power
absence of government intervention and immigration
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The Concert of Europe
Established in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna
Quadruple Alliance
Russia
Prussia
Austria
Great Britain
Collective Defense
Metternich
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Europe, 1815
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Europe, 1900
The Arms Race
Wilhelm II and German aggression
Realpolitik versus Weltpolitik
Global role for Germany
Navy
Empire
Influence
Military Buildup
The Navy
Wilhelm II models his fleet after Royal Navy
England develops new class of ships, “Dreadnought”
New Mobilization speeds
France: 3 days
Germany: 2 days
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The Arms Race
Land forces
Germany: 4, 800,000 men
Britain: 380,000 men
Russia Rebuilds
1905 defeated by Japanese
Refortification and new railways to the West
Between 1904 and 1913
French and Russian arms expenditures increase 80%
German arms expenditures increase 120%
Austro-Hungarian expenditures increase 50%
Italian expenditures increase 100%
Britain raises naval spending from $50 million in the 1870s to $130 million in 1900
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“New Imperialism” and Crisis
First Moroccan Crisis
Wilhelm II in Tangiers, March 1905
The Bosnian Crisis
Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary, October 1908
Serbia seeks aid from Russia, Austria-Hungary from Germany
Second Moroccan Crisis
German “Panther” sent to port at Agadir, July 1911
Sparks fear in Britain, anger in France
France subsequently establishes a full protectorate over Morocco
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Diplomacy and New Tensions
New Alliance Systems
Three Emperors’ League, 1873 (A-H, R, G)
Dual Alliance, 1879 (G, A-H)
Triple Alliance, 1882 (+Italy)
Strong ethnic ties between Germany and Austria-Hungary
Italy wants territory in Greece, Turkey, and the Balkans
Entente Cordiale, 1904
Triple Entente, 1907
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The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente
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The Outbreak of War
Sarajevo, 28 June 1914
Austrian Crown Prince Assassinated by Bosnian nationalist
28 July Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Belgium, 4 August 1914
Tensions escalated by tensions with Russia over Austro-Serbian conflict
Preemptive Strike as Germans push to Paris
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