What China Can Learn from Germany's Mistakes Leading to 1914?

Abstract

Under Otto von Bismarck, nineteenth century Germany had a coherent strategy. In the aftermath of Germany's defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71), Berlin's aim was to isolate France by signing up the allies France would have to recruit to reclaim its former position. In 1879 the German chancellor secured the support of Austria-Hungary in the Dual Alliance. This worried the Russians, who sought to improve their links with Berlin. Bismarck told Russia that any alliance arrangement would have to include Austria, and the Three Emperor's Pact was devised and signed in 1881. Russia was under domestic pressure to increase its influence in Slavic Europe, which if acted on, might have brought Russian moves into the Balkans. To prevent this, Bismarck negotiated a Mediterranean Agreement, which enlisted Britain as a counterweight to Russia. Feeling rebuffed, Russia then wanted a direct reassurance from Germany and got it in the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887 with Berlin.