Bismarcks Role in german unification
What were the main characteristic features of the first Bismarckian Alliance system 1879-1883 ? During the 1870's in the aftermath of the creation of the German Empire, the main issues to vex the Great Powers were Austro-Russian rivalry in the Balkans, and German fear that such a rivalry might develop into a general conflict which could provide an outlet for French revanchism against Germany. The Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78 demonstrated that Austria and Russia could restrain their rivalry in the interests of the general peace; the disputes following the Treaty of San Stefano leading up to the 1878 Congress of Berlin demonstrated that such restraint was limited. The issue of the Balkans was to remain an area of concern for the European States up to and beyond the First World War, even though there was to be no further significant conflict involving the Great Powers between 1879 and 1914. Having lost Italy and Germany the Balkan region was the only remaining external sphere of influence for the Dual Monarchy, and Slavic Russia was dependent on the Bosporus Straits for her grain exports. Bismarck still feared the consequences of a great power conflict in the Balkans and hence aimed to build an alliance structure that provide
The reason for this is straightforward. Unlikely as an unprovoked attack from France was, it was a particular concern for Bismarck; but he gained more from Italy and as much from Russia as he did from Austria in this respect. Bismarck, and his entire cabinet threatened to resign if the Dual Alliance was not ratified. Not surprisingly it was the Austro-Hungarians who provided the opposition to the extension of the alliance system to embrace Russia in 1881. Bismarck succeeded in this between 1879-83, and French isolation is a characteristic which distinguishes the system from the later 1880's where the French and Russians were gradually drawn together. It should be noted that even Bismarck's control over the system and his allies' policies was limited. Gladstone's rhetoric and policies may have assisted this position but it was Bismarck's intention to exclude Britain and to that end he succeeded. The British General Election of 1880 was fought considerably over foreign policy and the isolationist view prevailed. He was, however, afraid of being trapped with only the Dual Alliance and no link with Russia who might subsequently turn to France ensuring that Germany would be in a weaker position than even Austria. The 1881 Austro-Serbian Alliance was arranged by Prince Milan without the consent of his cabinet, let alone the people; the Austrians had little desire to ally with the Italians who they regarded as irredentist and the large irredentist movement in Italy had a similar suspicion of the Triple Alliance. Finally public opinion counted for little in the system which was built on the premise of monarchical solidarity. Bismarck wanted a system which could prevent Austro-Russian conflict in the Balkans by tying the two powers to Germany (and indeed to each other), and which would prevent France from finding a significant ally. Italy gained recognition as a great power but was to gain more in the later 1880's. In the countries involved in the Alliance System, however, public opinion counted for little in the formation of Treaties. Even the Dual Alliance can be viewed as a sop to Liberal opinion in Germany which hoped for a common Greater-German voice in Foreign Policy.
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