v Chapter 30 Overview:

Ø Review of second half of 19^th century:

§ Europe’s global influence & control

§ Euro immigrants populated N & S America, Australia, NZ

§ Post 1870: Africa divided up among European nations

§ Europe dominated Asia thru political & $$ power (Map)

§ Result: single global economy established under Europe

· Events produce ripple affect throughout world

Ø Impact of developments & European imperialism:

§ Fostered competition & hostility throughout Europe

§ Ultimately led to WWI=> then decline of Europe’s power

§ “Peace without Victors” ring shallow & with little truth

· Disillusioned Western idealists & embittered defeated

· Germany’s harsh treatment generated guilt in West

¨ Though Germany would have probably been harsher

· Worse=> no settlement had no realistic safeguards

¨ Ineffective against resurgent & embittered Germany

§ US w/d into isolation=> further undercuts keeping Peace

· France & Britain dependent on US guarantees- absent

§ Impact of late 19^th century European imperial expansion:

· Major contribution to Europe’s economic decline

· Destroyed Europe’s global dominance

· Shattered peace of Europe

v Expansion of European Power & the “New Imperialism”

Ø Chief source of European Power – developments in =>

§ 19^th century science, technology, industry, agriculture

· transportation, communications, & military weapons

§ Provided Europe w/power to dominate larger populations

· Institutional, organizational, & material advantages

§ Europe able to mobilize its pop.’s loyalty, svs, & resources

§ Also had strong belief in superiority of West Civ. over rest

§ Inspired confidence=> cultural arrogance=> imperialism

Ø Expansion of European Influence

§ Imperial expansion not new concept for European Powers

§ By mid 19^th century=> Britain’s holdings most extensive

· In contrast: 1^st half of 19^th cent.=> hostility to colonies

· Britain’s sobering experience with North America (US)

§ Also French acquisition of Algeria & parts of Indochina

§ British marginal gains in Canada, India, Australia, NZ

§ Free Trade doctrine opposed direct political interference

· All this changed after 1870 (Map 30-1)

Ø The New Imperialism- a problem of definition

§ Text: “extension of national authority…” – how?

§ Following introduction of “new devices” of Imperialism

· What are these “new devices” of Imperialism?

§ New devices of Imperialism (the usual pattern):

· Economic investment in “backward” country

¨ Build infrastructure & transport system (exports)

Ø Employ native workers in process

· Transform native economy and its culture

§ To secure Europe’s investment=> co-opt local leaders

§ Range of various options pursued- primarily three:

· Sphere of influence=> protectorate=> annexation

Ø Motives for New Imperialism=> various interpretations:

§ Economic Interpretation

· Attributed to J.A. Hobson & Lenin’s critiques:

¨ “… the monopoly stage of capitalism” is last stage

Ø Search for profits, new markets, & raw materials

· Critique of this interpretation?

¨ Preferred regions for European investment?

¨ Importance of markets in new colonies?

¨ Control over source where raw materials available?

¨ Were the colonies always profitable? (mixed at best)

§ Cultural, Religious, & Social Interpretation

· Responsibility of “higher” cultures & superior society

¨ Bestow benefits to “backward” native peoples

· What was Europe’s attitude with regard to religion?

· Social Interpretation:

¨ Imperialism provided potential tool of social policy

Ø Deflect population away from domestic politics

Ø Provided relief valve for surplus population

§ Preferred destination of immigrants?

§ Strategic & Political Interpretation (important factor)

· “Scramble for Africa” (1880s – Map 28-1 & 2)

¨ Britain: strategic interest: Suez Canal (1869)-why?

Ø To protect Egypt=>made protectorate in 1880s

§ Invade the Sudan later for same reason

¨ France: long history of involvement in Algeria

¨ Belgium, Portugal, Spain. & Italy soon follow (Map)

· Contrasting European motives

¨ Britain: secure Suez Canal & Cape routes to where?

¨ Others: more political & economic based reasons

Ø Evidence of great power status?

· Role of Bismarck

¨ Colonies acquired to improve diplomatic leverage

Ø Strategy: Deflect French hostility twd Germany

§ Tactic: Support French aspiration for colonies

Ø Also to leverage Britain to be reasonable

Ø What was last explanation & interpretation for imperialism?

Ø The Irrational Element

§ Reaction to Germany’s annexation of AF colonies?

· Stimulated scramble throughout Europe for AF lands

· Empire produced it own reward: a “sense of power”

§ Motives for acquiring colonies not new to history

· Ancient Greece as articulated by Thucydides

¨ At Melos in 416 BC =>(quote p. 856)

¨ Describing necessity of gods and men’s nature=>

Ø “… where they have the power they rule.”

§ Impact of Japan’s rise & claims on China & Korea

· Russian concern of potential threat to Manchuria

¨ w/Fr & Ger support=> diplomacy forced Japan out

Ø Abandoned Liaotung Peninsula & Port Arthur

· All rest aggressively pursue concessions in China

¨ US proclaimed “Open Door” policy (1899)

¨ Supported by Brits=> convince most (exception?)

§ US rises as Imperial & Pacific power at the same time

· Follows victory over Spain in 1898- consequences?

¨ Spain ejected from Western Hemisphere

¨ US acquires PR & Cuba in Caribb. & PI in Pacific

§ By 1900: Industrialized West dominated rest of world

· Greatest remaining vulnerable area? (sick old man)

v Emergence of the German Empire

Ø Formation of Triple Alliance (1873-1890):

§ Key events: Prussian victories over Austria & France

· Results: unification of Germany under Prussia (1871)

¨ Fear of Germany’s growing population, $, industry

Ø Especially military power=>posed major threat

§ Impact on Europe’s Balance of Power (major upset!)

· Major impact on France (loss of Alsace-Lorraine)=>

¨ Fear & resentment=> carried thru WWI & WWII

Ø Bismarck’s Role & Leadership (1874-1890):

§ Professed no interest in further territory after 1871

§ Objective: avoid new war (especially on two fronts)

· Strategy: assuage French resentment – how? (tactic?)

· Fallback: isolate France – how? (preclude alliances)

§ Drei Kaiser Bund-1873 (Bismarck’s first move twd above)

· Members: Austria, Russia, & Germany (Prussian led)

· Collapsed in 1877=> Russian war with Turkey & result

· Uprising in Balkans spreads=> Russia enters conflict

§ Balkan Wars

· Russian Strategic Objectives:

¨ Expand territory at Ottoman Empire’s expense

¨ Most desired goal? (Warm water port- Map)

¨ Also influenced by Pan-Slavic aspirations

Ø (Slav unity under Holy Mother Russia)

· British concerns & response

¨ Impact o Treaty of San Stefano (1878)

Ø Russian triumph- but short lived- Why?

¨ Great Euro Powers alarmed by Treaty’s terms:

Ø Austria feared Pan-Slavic Nationalism- why?

Ø British fear impact on Euro Balance of Power

§ Especially wrt Russian control of Dardanelles

¨ “Jingoism”

Ø Disraeli firm to resist w/strong popular support

Ø late 19^th century popular song in Britain (p. 858)

§ Congress of Berlin (June/July 1878)

· Disraeli sent Brit Fleet to Constantinople as precaution

¨ W/Austria, force Russia to major Powers Conference

Ø Purpose: “review”(change) terms of the Treaty

· What were the key decisions taken and their impact?

· Impact of decisions: Major blow to Russian ambitions

¨ Bulgaria lost 2/3 of its territory & access to Aegean

¨ Aust-Hungary to occupy/admin Bosnia-Herzegovina

¨ Brits get Cyprus & France occupies Tunisia

¨ Germany (Bismarck) ask for & receives nothing

¨ Russia embittered=> Drei Kaiser Bund now dead

· Major trouble spot emerging

¨ Also embittered: South Slavic States

Ø Serbia & Montenegro

Ø Both deeply resent Aus-Hung. occupation of B-Hz

§ Native population felt same way

¨ South (Yugo) Slavic question became threat to peace

§ German Alliances w/Russia & Austria (1879)

· The secret Dual Alliance w/Austria against who?

¨ Bismarck’s Motives & Objectives:

Ø Shore up expose eastern front against Russia

¨ Criticism: tied Germany to Austrian interests

Ø Isolated Russia=> pushed it into arms of West

· Bismarck well aware of above=>

¨ Emphasized defensive nature of alliance to Austria

¨ As expected=> Russia moved to renew Bund (1881)

Ø Bund preserved peace=> but conflict unresolved

§ The Triple Alliance (High point of Bismarck system-1882)

· Member states: Germany, Austria,& Italy (1882&1887)

¨ France now isolated & posed no threat to Germany

· Reinsurance Treaty (w/Russia) insured its neutrality

¨ What threat was eliminated from what direction?

· Everything seemed to go according to Bismarck/s plan

¨ What happened? Who came to Germany’s throne?

· William II’s personality profile (pix p. 860)

¨ Goal: Germany “rightful place in the sun”

¨ Kaiser’s new Policy & strategy:

Ø Build formable Navy & acquire colonies

Ø New policy ran counter to Bismarck’s =>

§ Limited continental policy

· 1890: Bismarck dismissed => sent into retirement

¨ Result: no adult leadership to constrain Kaiser

Ø In fact=> no competent leadership at all

Ø German foreign policy now aggressive & erratic

Ø Forging the Triple Entente (1890-1907):

§ Franco-Russian Alliance (1894)

· Bismarck’s alliance system begins to unravel

¨ Reinsurance Treaty w/Russia not renewed- why?

Ø One dimensional thinking of Bismarck’s successor

¨ Russia driven toward France

Ø (Faced with political isolation & lack of capital)

¨ France seizes opportunity to escape its isolation

Ø Produces alliance & security against Germany

Ø Significance for Germany (Russ & Fr position )?

§ How many potential fronts if war starts?

§ Britain & Germany

· Traditional enemies of Britain=> France & Russia

¨ Long established disputes over colonies w/both

· In contrast=> prior friendly relations with Germany

¨ What happened to change that situation?

· Role of William II & his ministers=> Policy changes

¨ Build competing Navy & aggressive foreign policy

¨ Germany tries to force Britain into alliance with it

¨ Devised strategy to reverse Brit “splendid isolation”

· What is Germany’s heavy handed strategy for above?

· Heavy handed German strategy=> create crises

· British perceptions of German potential threat grow:

¨ German activities & their impact

Ø Bar Brit railroad from Capetown to Cairo

Ø Sympathize with Boer resistance to Brit expansion

Ø Insult Brits w/congratulation telegram to Kruger

¨ German maritime aspirations => compete w/Brits

Ø 1898 Law mandates 19 BBs=> 1900=>38 BBs

Ø Admiral Tripitz’s “risk theory” aimed at Brits

§ Make costs to Brits for Naval attack too high

§ Damage to Brits make it inferior to US & Fr

¨ British reactions:

Ø As German Navy grows & FP more aggressive=>

§ Brits become more alarmed=>

§ Begin to rethink past attitudes & policies

§ Entente Cordiale

· Breaching British policy of isolation

¨ 1902: ally w/Japan to defend Brit Far East interests

¨ 1904: conclude series of informal agreements w/Fr

Ø No military provisions (yet)=> but settled what?

§ (past colonial disagreements)

· What was significance of these informal agreements?

§ Entente Cordiale significance: paved way for formal ties

· And against what potential enemy? (any irony to this?)

§ First Moroccan Crisis & its impact:

· Will II & von Bulow attempt to “test” Fr-Brit Entente

¨ Kaiser lands in Tangier: challenge Fr predominance

¨ Makes speech supporting Moroccan independence

Ø Implies German role in Morocco’s future

¨ Objective: show France that Brit support unlikely

Ø Also seeks colonial concessions

· Germans typically overplay their hand- how?

¨ Call for international conference in Spain (1906)

¨ Conference participants vote to confirm Fr position

¨ German bluster results in driving Fr & Brits closer

¨ As result: Brit FM Grey sanctions Fr-Brit staff talks

Ø Set basis for morally binding defense relationship

Ø Brit-Fr military & Naval plans=> de facto allies

§ British Agreement w/Russia

· Impact of Russo-Japanese War & Russian Rev. of 1905

¨ Brits show restraint & Russia is humiliated by defeat

¨