1

The Last Breath:

Bismarcks aims and the
alliance systems of 1871-
1890
Alnur Kassim-Lakha
March 30, 2014
Word count: 2000 words

How successful was Bismarcks alliance system in fulfilling his aims from 1871-1890?


2

Table of Contents

A. Plan of the Investigation ...3

B. Summary of Evidence ..4

C. Evaluation of Sources ...7

D. Analysis ........9

E. Conclusion .........12

F. Bibliography ...13
.














3
A. Plan of the Investigation (151 Words)

This inquiry will explore the impact of Bismarcks alliance system on the
fulfilment of Bismarcks primary aims and motives between 1871 and 1890. The main
aspect that will be considered is the success of the alliance in fulfilling Bismarks three
main foreign policy objectives: to maintain a peaceful co-existence with Russia, Austria
and throughout Germany, to put an end to territorial expansion, and to isolate France.
This investigation will not seek to examine the factors that led to Bismarcks dismissal and
the role the alliance system played in that, and will be restricted solely to an assessment of
the fulfilment of his aims as demonstrated through his foreign policy. The key themes that
will be analysed are the alliances effectiveness in conflict avoidance, and political
strategies. The origin, purpose, values, and limitations of two sourcesStiles and
Farmers The Unification of Germany 1815-90 and Williamsons Bismarck and Germany
1862-1890will also be assessed.

















4
B. Summary of Evidence (648 Words)

Conflict Avoidance: Bismarcks use of the Alliances for peace
- In 1878-79, Germany was faced with choice of continuing Russian hostility or
allying with her
1

o Would sacrifice relationship with Austria and risk enmity with Britain
2

- In October 1879, Bismarck and Andrassy agreed to the Dual Alliance
o Committed both countries to resist Russian aggression
o If Germany or Austria were at war with a third power, the other would
remain neutral unless Russia intervened
o Considered to be a landmark peacetime engagement
o Encouraged other powers to negotiate similar treaties until all Europe was
divided into pact and counter-pact
3

- In 1881, Bismarck pressured into the creation of the Three Emperors Alliance
o Secret treaty of three years duration where Russia, Germany and Austria
had to remain neutral if one of them were at war with another power
o Also agreed to keep the entrance of the Black Sea closed to foreign
warships
4

- In 1882, Bismarck created The Triple Alliance
o Bismarck saw potential in bringing in Italy as an ally as it would isolate
France even more
o If any of the signatories were attacked by two or more powers, the others
promised to lend assistance
o In the event of a war between Austria and Russia, Italy would remain
neutral
o If France attacked Germany, Italy would provide support to her partner

1
Farmer, Alan, and Andrina Stiles. "Bismarck's Germany." In The unification of Germany, 1815-1919. 3rd ed.
London: Hodder Education, 2007. 98-128.
2
Ibid
3
Ibid
4
Williamson, D. G.. "Germany and Europe 1871-90." In Bismarck and Germany, 1862-1890. 2nd ed.
London: Longman, 1998. 70-84.
5
o If Italy were attacked by France, Germany and Austria would support her
o It conferred some prestige which Italians were proud of and thought it
would help colonial ambitions
! Bismarck restrained Italy in Africa as he did Austria in the Balkans
o In 1884, Bismarck even managed to be on tolerably good terms with
France. This was considered the zenith of Bismarcks system
5

- The Reinsurance Treaty, which did not contravene the Dual Alliance, can be
seen as a masterpiece of diplomatic juggling on Bismarcks part
6

- It was simply another temporary expedient to remove his fears of a Franco-
Russian Alliance
7

- In February 1888, he published the Dual Alliance to warn Russia that Germany
would stand by Austria if it came to war and to restrain Austria by making it clear
that Germanys obligations were limited to a defensive war
8

- This paired with rumours of the Mediterranean Agreement persuaded Russia to
hold her hand and the Bulgarian crisis fizzled out












5
Ibid
6
Williamson, David G.. "Bismarck and his Alliance Systems." In War and Peace: International Relations 1878-
1941. Third Edition ed. London: Hodder Education, 1994. 12-20.
7
Ibid
8
Ibid
6
Political Strategies: Isolating France
- France threatened peace after loss of Alsace-Lorraine
- Many Frenchmen wanted revenge but did not pose a serious danger to Germany
since Bismarck was confident that the German army could defeat her again if
necessary
- His main fear was that France would ally with Russia or Austria, thus causing a
two front war
9

- Austria-Hungary took initiative in pressing for the Three Emperors alliance
which included the Emperors of Russia, Austria and Germany
o Identified republicanism and socialism as common enemies and promised
to consult on matters of common interest or if a third power disturbed
Europes peace
10

- France made determined efforts to throw off the effects of defeat.
o Her rapid military reorganisation and the prompt repayment of the war
indemnity, ensuring the riddance of the German army of occupation by 1873,
surprised and alarmed Bismarck
11

- In 1875, Bismarck proved a diplomatic crisis by prohibiting the export of horses to
France
o Bismarck expected other countries to put pressure on France as well to slow
down and discourage military expansion
o Backfired on Bismarck. Britain and Russia warned Germany and the alliance
against proactive actions
o Forced Germany to offer assurances on not contemplating a war
12

- Crisis ended in a diplomatic victory for France made clear to the alliance by Britain
and Russia that they could not destroy France
13


9
Ibid
10
Eyck, Erich. "To the Peace of Prague." In Bismarck and the German Empire. London: Allen & Unwin, 1950.
107-188.
11
Ibid
12
Ibid
13
"European History." Bismarcks Foreign Policy 1871-1890.
http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/bismarck.htm (accessed March 18, 2014).
7
C. Evaluation of Sources (300 words)

Source 1: The Unification of Germany 1815-90
- Origin
o Published in 2001 by Bookpoint Ltd.
o Authored by Andrina Stiles and Alan Farmer, British authors and
professors who study pre WW1 times
- Purpose
o To provide in-depth insight into Bismarcks aims, goals and perspective
throughout the Unification of Germany, specifically from 1815-1890. The
book aims to bring to light his actions and decision-making process.
- Value
o As a secondary source, it refers to events in hindsight and is able to take
into account different variables and perspectives to paint a bigger picture
o Has an objective and unbiased way of looking at and analysing events
o Gives historical context and accounts for different time periods to ensure
fluid conveying of message
- Limitation
o Dwells almost exclusively on the German perspective of events and doesnt
explore perspectives of other countries in response to Germanys actions
o Provides clear cut fact but misses the biases and attitudes that may give
insight into the time
o The authors are British historians who weave in some anti-German
sentiments








8


Source 2: Bismarck and Germany 1862-1890
- Origin
o Published in 1986 by Pearson Publishing Ltd.
o Authored by D.G. Williamson a British Historian
- Purpose
o The purpose of this book is to chronicle the events and catalysts leading up
to Bismarcks dismissal in 1890
- Values
o Provides a detailed investigation into the perspective of German events
through Bismarck
o Analysis of Bismarcks actions and how they impacted his aims is laced
throughout the book
o Gives in-depth analysis as to how his actions affected his aims, and the
impact on Germany
o The author is a British historian who offers an outside perspective on
German affairs
- Limitations
o A second hand perspective of Bismarck often these are distorted due to
propaganda and a lack of context
o Doesnt give external opinions on Bismarcks actions as well as an analysis
of the impact his actions on countries other than Germany
o Focuses a lot on the benefits of Bismarcks actions, less analysis is provided
on the detrimental impacts made







9
D. Analysis (781 words)

Conflict Avoidance: Bismarcks use of the Alliances for peace

The main objective of Bismarck in 1871 is to ensure the balance of power remains
constant and peace is upheld in Europe. Germany had a stronghold over the power and
Bismarck wanted to avoid anything that could jeopardize that. The risk of Germany
losing power if conflicts aroused was high, so Bismarck turned to forming the Alliance
system to preserve peace. Stiles and Farmer, in Source 1, point out that very few
historians have been able to identify flaws in this system because, by the very nature of an
Alliance, it is sending a message of unity and peace. However this segment will address
the level of effectiveness of each alliance by comparing their outcomes.
The Dual Alliance (DA) played the most effective role in avoiding conflict. It
showed a will to fight aggression through creating unity between 2 countries which
ended up flourishing into a positive long-term relationship. The DA encouraged
neutrality and disincentivized conflict because countries knew that wouldnt get external
support if they engaged in war. It was regarded as the landmark peacetime engagement
and created a ripple effect within Europe. Other countries began to form treaties and a
mass peace movement came to fruition. When the DA was published, it was made clear
that Germany would only fight defensively and it dissuaded Russia from attacking Austria
and Austria from attacking Russia.
The Triple Alliance (TA) was used primarily to isolate France because France was
viewed as a threat to peace. Italy became an ally, which meant one less enemy for
Germany and it further pushed the idea of neutrality. Through the TA, Bismarck was
able to restrain Italy from entering Africa, which not only kept Germany as the super
power in Europe but also maintained the peace. This tied with the Reinsurance Treaty
helped prevent a Franco-Russian alliance. While it was effective in achieving Bismarcks
aims, the DA was more effective in maintaining peace because of its ability to reduce the
threat of war between Austria and Russia, which would have been destructive for
Germany.
10
The least progressive alliance was the Three Emperors Alliance (TEA). It was
more of a formality that saw unity between Russia, Austria and Germany but no real
progress was made in terms of actively progressing Germanys super power position. That
being said, through this system of alliances, the status quo could be maintained. The
balance of power remained constant and this was the overarching aim of Bismarck.
Within this, conflict avoidance was a stepping-stone to achieve his main objective. The
alliance system gave Bismarck means to achieve them. However, Bismarck should not be
confused for a peacemaker. Williamson suggests Bismarcks will for peace was for the
greater good. Peace was just his means of attaining his self-interested goals. If conflict had
helped Germany, evidence shows Bismarck would have engaged whole-heartedly.
Evidence to support the challenge of Williamson can be seen throughout the process of
German Unification. Source 1 proves to be more persuasive in that Source 2 tries to
depict Bismarck is an almost unrealistic image. Source 1 focuses on the bigger picture
rather than glorifying Bismarck.

















11
Political Strategies: Isolating France

France proved to be a dangerous threat to peace after the loss of Alsace-Lorraine.
While Bismarck was confident in his ability to defeat the French one on one, his main fear
was that France would ally with Russia or Austria, thus staring a 2 front war. Avoiding a
two-front war was a primary aim for Bismarck. This segment will show how the use of the
alliance system was able to play a part in isolating France and ensuring the two-front war
doesnt occur.
France was determined to throw off the effects of defeat. There was a rapid
military expansion and reorganization on the part of France in order to prompt
repayment of the war indemnity and ensure riddance of the German occupation in
France. However, the only way France would be able to make an impact in terms of
retaliation was by colluding with either Austria or Russia. Alone, their military was too
weak to take on Germany. Austria, however, pressed for the formation of the TEA, which
was comprised of Russia, Austria and Germany. The common enemies of republicanism
and socialism united them. If a third power disrupted peace in Europe (such as France),
they would unite against that power. This took away any possibility of a 2 front war and
helped isolate France.
Williamson argues that France wasnt entirely isolated. In 1875, when Bismarck
prohibited the exporting of horses to France in response to their rapid growth, he
expected other countries to unite in forcing France to slow down their expansion.
However, Britain and Russia united against Germany and made clear they would not
tolerate these proactive actions. It forced Germany to offer assurances and resulted in a
diplomatic victory for France. It was made clear to Bismarck that he could not destroy
France. However, even though France was not destroyed, their effort to sway the balance
of power was futile, as Germany was able to avoid a 2 front war and Bismarck was able to
achieve his second aim. Source 2 provides better insight to the table on this topic as it
deals with Bismarcks personal views on France and conveys his dismay, as well as his will
to have them destroyed.


12
E. Conclusion (120 words)

The strategic leadership demonstrated by Bismarck through his alliance systems
maintained the balance of power in Europe and achieve his aims. The first objective of
maintaining peace could be achieved because of the strong alliances formed. Not only
were the alliances key in preventing conflict, but they also sent strong messages to the rest
of Europe that aggression would not be tolerated and threats to peace would be dealt
with. The second objective of avoiding a two-front war was also achieved through the
isolating of France by shutting them out of partnerships with other countries. Contrary to
what some historians argue, France was not able to make an impact on the balance of
power and Germany was able to maintain the status quo. So in the end, it appears once
again that Bismarck gets his way by putting the proverbial nail in the coffin that is France
with his alliance hammer.














13
Bibliography
1. "European History." Bismarcks Foreign Policy 1871-1890.
http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/bismarck.htm (accessed March 18,
2014).
2. Eyck, Erich. "To the Peace of Prague." In Bismarck and the German Empire. London: Allen
& Unwin, 1950. 107-188.
3. Farmer, Alan, and Andrina Stiles. "Bismarck's Germany." In The unification of Germany,
1815-1919. 3rd ed. London: Hodder Education, 2007. 98-128.
4. "Imperial Germany (1871-1918) - Otto von Bismarck: The Triple Alliance." Passports
Educational Group Travel.
http://www.passports.com/lesson_plans/germany/bismarck-triple-alliance
(accessed March 19, 2014).
5. Williamson, D. G.. "Germany and Europe 1871-90." In Bismarck and Germany, 1862-
1890. 2nd ed. London: Longman, 1998. 70-84.
6. Williamson, David G.. "Bismarck and his Alliance Systems." In War and Peace:
International Relations 1878-1941. Third Edition ed. London: Hodder Education,
1994. 12-20.