This article is about foreign policy under Otto von Bismarck. First, Otto von Bismarck’s foreign policy is presented, which can be subdivided into the sub-themes of the alliance system and colonial policy. In addition, the position of the German Empire in Europe is explained and which steps in German foreign policy may have led to the First World War.
This article belongs to the subject History and to the general topic «The German Empire».
- Bismarck’s foreign policy was saturated: without expansionist ambitions
- Bismarck did not pursue any real colonial policy
- Bismarck was perceived as an «honest broker».
- A sophisticated alliance system was established under Bismarck:
- from 1873: Three Emperors Alliance (Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary)
- Dual Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany)
- from 1879: Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Italy, Germany)
- from 1883: Romania joined the Triple Alliance
- 1887-1890: Reinsurance Treaty (Germany, Russia)
- France became increasingly isolated
- The end of Bismarck’s foreign policy came with his abdication in 1890
- After Bismarck came the personal regiment of Wilhelm II.
Otto von Bismarck
Fig. 1: Otto von Bismarck
Source: www.lernattack.de
From 1847 Bismarck was politically active as a conservative member of the Prussian state parliament. He later became ambassador in St. Petersburg and Paris and in 1862 Prussian Prime Minister. This was before the Franco-Prussian War, which resulted in the founding of the German Empire. Bismarck was appointed Chancellor when the German Reich was founded in 1871. He ruled in this position of power until his dismissal in 1890. Due to his political will, he was known to the population as the «iron chancellor».
Bismarck’s foreign policy: goals
It was Bismarck’s foreign policy idea peacekeeping to act. He knew about the distrust of the other states, which was assigned to the German Empire after the founding of the empire in 1871. Because the founding of the Reich in 1871 had led to the German Reich being newly formed and massively enlarged in the middle of Europe.
The other European powers were afraid of Germany’s political, military and economic influence. As a result, the other great powers mistrusted the German Reich, with the individual states having different motives.
Great Britain was in the midst of building the «British Empire», which would soon cover a quarter of the globe. Great Britain was therefore afraid of the German Empire’s attempts at colonial power, which would meddle with their interests.
Russia had spread towards the Ottoman Empire and towards Asia and, like the German Empire, had expanded. In addition, Russia was striving for access to the Straits and feared an influence of the German Empire here as well.
France had just been defeated by Bismarck in the Franco-Prussian War. It still felt humiliated and hated the German Empire. There was also a kind of hereditary enmity between Germany and France from the Napoleonic era.
Bismarck knew about this distrust and tried to defuse the European situation. On the one hand he tried to isolate France and thus prevent possible revenge campaigns.
Bismarck’s alliance system
In addition, he began a sophisticated alliance system to develop with the aim of maintaining a friendly relationship with other nations and to grant Germany security.
He liked it Avoidance of a two-front war at heart as he feared Britain’s alliance with Russia or France’s alliance with Russia. In the event of war, Germany would see itself exposed to a two-front war. Therefore, he made it his task to avoid the emergence of alliances and, in any case, to include Russia in an alliance.
As the cornerstone of this system of alliances, in 1873 he agreed the Three Emperors’ Agreement with Russia and Austria-Hungary. This alliance existed as a pledge to preserve the monarchy in all three states, but was problematic due to the ambivalent interests of Russia and Austria-Hungary in the Balkans, since both pursued different goals.
Furthermore, there was the dual alliance with Austria-Hungary. This assured mutual military assistance should Russia seize either side.
From 1879 there was also the Triple Alliance with Italy. Romania also secretly joined this alliance in 1883, as it saw itself geographically sandwiched between Austria-Hungary and Russia.
Bismarck maintained friendly relations with Great Britain.
In addition, from 1887 there was a reinsurance treaty between Germany and Russia. This alliance was secret and was intended to ensure neutrality in the event of a war by a third party. In a way, through this treaty, Germany made concessions to Russia regarding its Balkan policy.
This branched network was intended to secure the German Empire with its geographical location in the middle of Europe. Overall, Bismarck’s foreign policy was often referred to as «saturated“ described.
«Saturated» means something like «satisfied», which means that the German Empire under Bismarck made no further claims and was satisfied with its political, economic and military position. The German Empire was currently without expansive, aggressive efforts.
In general, the alliance system not only served to secure Germany’s peace, but was also intended to do so to seal off France and to make any possible revenge for the humiliation of 1871 hopeless. The hereditary enmity between France and Germany, which had already developed during the Napoleonic era, also played a part.
Bismarck’s colonial policy
Bismarck made no real contribution to colonial policy and here, too, proceeded in a «saturated» manner. When the global race for colonies began in 1880, Germany did not take an active part.
The colonial powers saw themselves as a «superior race» compared to the colonies. In their opinion, Europe was civilized and the population of the colonies primitive. The colonies became economically dependent on the colonial ruler, were occupied and exploited. In a way, the colonies were robbed of their culture. The colonial rulers assumed a sovereign function in the colonies.
social imperialism
In terms of foreign policy, Bismarck nevertheless acted in a social-imperialist manner.
Social imperialism is the distraction from domestic political grievances through foreign policy actions. At the heart of this diversion are imperialist aspirations.
Social imperialism was practiced in the German Empire in order to avoid abuses by occupying colonies. For example, the colonies opened up sales markets and the German overpopulation was able to emigrate. Another example is the creation of an external image of the enemy, such as intensifying hatred of France in order to be able to distract from domestic political uncertainties.
In general, the social-imperialist approach was the reason for Bismarck’s participation in colonial politics.
The division of Africa among the great powers of Europe was also motivated by social imperialism. In 1884 the powers met at the Congo Conference in Berlin. Here Africa should be divided between the European powers.
Fig. 2: Cartoon showing Bismarck at the Congo Conference
Source: www.nzz.ch
The caricature shows Bismarck, who can be identified as such by his mustache, Prussian uniform and half-bald head. He stands at a round table and cuts the cake with the inscription «Afrique» into equal pieces. Six other gentlemen are sitting around the table, some of them staring at Bismarck with open mouths in amazement. These gentlemen represent the other heads of the colonial powers. Below the caricature is the signature «La conference de Berlin», which refers to the Berlin Conference of 1884. Below that is «A chacun sa part, si l’on est bien sage» to read, which means something like «Everyone has their part, as long as you are wise».
At this conference Bismarck took the position of «honest broker» a. He mediated between the brawlers and defused conflicts around the debate of the colonies and conflicts in the Balkans. This enabled him to gain the trust of the other parties. By putting Germany’s supposed interests aside, he managed to increase his standing with other nations.
Overall, one can say today that Bismarck managed to keep the peace during his tenure as Chancellor by getting on well with the other nations. He also succeeded in isolating France, since the country was unable to form alliances using the sophisticated alliance system of the German Empire. Therefore, Bismarck successfully implemented his foreign policy goals.
end of Bismarck
In the year of the Three Emperors, Wilhelm II was proclaimed Emperor. He embarked on a new policy and claimed to make Germany a world power. Bismarck and Wilhelm II had personal and political differences. The now 74-year-old Bismarck had different interests and political views than the only 29-year-old Wilhelm II. In 1890, the debate about the Socialist Laws, which Bismarck said should be extended that year, started. But Wilhelm II refused the extension and then dismissed Bismarck on March 20, 1890 from his office. After his dismissal, Bismarck nevertheless had political influence. He died on July 30, 1898 at the age of 83.
Made! Also read our article on Bismarck’s domestic policy and also the article on foreign policy in the German Empire.
Bismarck’s foreign policy – the most important things at a glance
- saturated: without expansion efforts
- no real colonial policy
- Bismarck’s status as an «honest broker»
- sophisticated alliance system:
- from 1873: Three Emperors Alliance (Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary)
- Dual Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Germany)
- from 1879: Triple Alliance (Austria-Hungary, Italy, Germany)
- from 1883: Romania joined the Triple Alliance
- 1887-1890: Reinsurance Treaty (Germany, Russia)
- Isolation of France
- End of Bismarck’s foreign policy with abdication in 1890
- This is followed by the personal regiment of Wilhelm II.