- Identify the key element of the external reforms of Bismarck. Also address the research question to what extent the policy of Bismarck is responsible for the ww1?
Bismarck was extremely careful of his external policies as they played an important role for Germany since they were surrounded by their enemies and could face a war on two fronts since France was also extremely bitter with them after the franco-prussian war. Therefore Bismarck’s policies were all based around the idea that France had to be left isolated. For this aim to be fulfilled he would have to maintain good relations with Russia and Austria which was an extremely hard task as they both were rivals in the Balkans. Bismarck came up with a treaty called the three emperors league or the draikaiserbund with Austria and Russia which would help isolate France and take away one of their potential allies. However the alliance had little substance as they had no military as Austria refused to agree to have any. But it did increase the co-operation between all the eastern powers. Although there were many times when the treaty seemed to ruined due to the crisis in the Balkans which caused the rivalry of Russia and Austria which made it extremely hard for Bismarck to keep the treaty going. As in 1875 and 1876 there were many wars like the russo-turkish war broke out. Before the war Russia had promised Austria that they would not create a bigger Bulgaria if they won which they did as eventually the Turks signed the treaty of san Stefano and the treaty talked about a bigger Bulgaria. Therefore Austria was enraged and so was Britain and it threatened their Suez Canal. At this point and time war had seemed imminent. These events alarmed Bismarck and he came up with the congress of berlin where they decided to make piece between the two nations. Russia was extremely disappointed with Bismarck’s role as Bulgaria was divided into 3 small states and Russia withdrew from the drakaiserbund. There was lot of tension between Germany and Russia then as Germany introduced tariffs against Russian grain imports. Then in 1879 a dual alliance was signed with Austria it was a secret defense alliance and Bismarck saw this as a benefit for 2 reasons as it would secure Germanys southern frontier in the event of a war with Russia and it would frighten Russia into seeking a closer relationship with Germany. Eventually it became the triple alliance as Italy became a part of the treaty not that they were powerful but because it took away a potential ally from France. In Russia suddenly there were pro French feelings and in 1887 the drekaiserbund ended. But finally came Bismarck’s final negotiations his “final diplomatic masterpiece” a reinsurance treaty” between Russia and Germany.it was a defensive alliance where Germany promised to stay neutral if Russia was attacked Austria and Russia promised to stay neutral if Germany was attacked by France.