To what extent was Bismarcks main foreign policy aim the isolation of France?
To what extent was Bismarck’s main foreign policy aim the isolation of France?
The creation of the German Empire in 1871 was the beginning of a series of events, all leading up to Bismarck’s ambition of Germany becoming a Super-power. However, before 1870, the Bismarckian foreign policy had aims, such as Prussia being a main influence in the confederation, rather than Austria. Another foreign policy aim was for Germany to deflect the hostility of France after their defeat in 1871. This defeat had a profound effect on international relations as the newly formed German empire destroyed the balance of power in Europe, which was a real threat to its neighbouring countries as the new Germany was growing dramatically in economic and military strength.
Bismarck’s primary aim was then to prevent any external events from disrupting the settlement that he had created, meaning that he would go to any measures to ensure that the strength of his empire was to remain strong. In order to do this he had to keep the peace and status quo in Europe, create allies and stay on good terms with France’s most likely allies as Bismarck was afraid that France would encircle Germany with a hostile alliance. But one of Bismarck’s key aims to keep the strength of the German empire strong was to keep France isolated.
Bismarck’s main aim was to keep France isolated with no political or economical alliances. The defeat of France in the Franco Prussian war was the creation of the German empire as the Treaty of Frankfurt ensured that France ceded the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to the German empire and that an indemnity was to be paid to remove the Prussian army from Northern France. This defeat humiliated and angered France greatly giving it a means to retaliate with revenge. Bismarck was aware that if France gained allies that Germany would loose power as it would be encircled. The power that Bismarck had gained from France’s defeat was enough to defeat France on its own again, however if Bismarck used this power unwisely it could inspire fear causing allies to join France. Bismarck’s awareness of this matter meant that he was to reassure possible allies of France that Germany was a ‘Satiated’ state which was not going to try and overthrow Europe with power. The isolation of France was founded not to be as hard as expected due to the natural hostility between France and Great Britain over colonies in Africa. Bismarck’s concern now was befriending Austria and Russia to maintain the isolation of France. In 1873, the Three Emperors League (Dreikaiserbund) was formed between Germany, Austria and Russia. This alliance meant that France was now isolated and that Germany had gained even more strength as the league was supposed to ensue conservatism and oppose subversion. In 1873, France’s indemnity had been paid off which meant that re-armament could begin. This threat was thought to be the beginning of France’s revenge towards Germany, however Bismarck took charge and banned the export of all horses to France which were needed for the cavalry and began rumours of preventative strike and war by Germany. In 1975, the pressure on France was too much as she ended re-armament. France was now without an army and was completely isolated.
