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The unification of Germany in 1871 made Germany the most powerful country in Europe at that time, which created a deep tension with other nations. France was really angry after losing territories in the Franco-Prussian War, and Germany’s growing military and economy worried Britain and Russia.

To protect itself, Germany formed alliances with Austria-Hungary and Russia, but this led to the creation of rival power groups in Europe. Germany also wanted colonies, which created conflicts with Britain and France.

Even though tensions were high, war didn’t happen right away because Bismarck used diplomacy, France was too weak to fight, However, Germany’s unification led to growing militarisation, nationalism, and alliances, which eventually contributed to World War I in 1914.

Following the Franco-Prussian War, the German Empire is proclaimed at Versailles. Otto von Bismarck becomes the first Chancellor of a unified Germany, dramatically shifting the balance of power in Europe. This marks the beginning of German dominance in Europe.

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Organized by Otto von Bismarck, the Congress of Berlin resolves the Balkan crisis following the Russo-Turkish War. The conference reorganizes territory in the Balkans, establishing new independent states and redistributing influence among European powers. This marks a crucial moment in managing the Eastern Question and balancing European interests.

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The Triple Alliance was a military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. It was formed in 1882 and lasted until the start of World War I in 1914. The three countries promised to help each other in case of any attack. Nevertheless, some Italians were unhappy about the agreement as Austria-Hungary was an old enemy.

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The Franco-Russian alliance was an agreement responding to the triple alliance between Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. The agreement was established between France and Russia and stated that if Germany attacked France, Russia would come to France’s aid and vice versa. This alliance added to the pile up of alliances across Europe and the tension between them. These pacts also meant that a conflict between two states would quickly escalate into a greater war.

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In 1897 under Kaiser Wilhelm II, a significant shift took place. From Bismarck's realpolitik to Kaiser Wilhelm's imperialist policy of weltpolitik (world politics). This involved a focus on the expansion of the Navy and expanding overseas territory to transform Germany into a world power. The exponential growth of the German navy heightened tensions between them and already established global and colonial powers such as France and Britain. These tensions grew and provoked Britain and France who took this rapid expansion as preparation for war. Additionally, the Kaisers disregard for the importance of Bismarck diplomacy caused for relations to grow fragile due to the prioritisation of Weltpolitik. These tensions continued to exacerbate until they snap at the beginning of WWI.

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In 1898, Germany's First Fleet Act was introduced by Alfred von Tirpitz, which was aimed to reorganize Germany's Naval power, to establish a navy with a specific goal by 1904.

It aimed to create a powerful German navy as part of "Weltpolitik "to become a global power.

Key Provisions:

The law aimed to construct a navy consisting of:

1 flagship

16 battleships

8 armored coastal ships

9 large cruisers

26 small cruisers

The naval expansion program pleased the Kaiser and increased support for his government by appealing to German patriotism. It also secured support from the government.

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It was the first time a western and non-western nation had made a military alliance. The alliance was meant to help the signatories safeguard their interests in China and Korea. It was additionally directed against Russian expansionism in the Far East, notably in China. During the Russo-Japanese War, (1904-1905) the alliance discouraged France from joining the war and supporting Russia, even though it was Russia’s ally.

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Britain and France sign the Entente Cordiale, settling colonial disputes and forming a diplomatic understanding. This agreement marked the end of centuries of Anglo-French rivalry and established a foundation for their future alliance against Germany. It represented a major shift in the European balance of power.

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1904-05: Russian defeat in the Russo-Japanese War

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1904-05: Russian defeat in the Russo-Japanese War

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Japan's victory over Russia damaged its reputation internationally and forced it to reclaim its dominance in the Balkans. Tensions with Austria-Hungary were heightened by this aggressive posture, especially with regard to Serbia. Russia's brief weakness gave Germany more confidence, which led to an increase in aggression. Although no war broke out in 1905 because other powers were uncertain and Russia was too weak, the loss changed the nature of European alliances. Germany became overconfident, while Russia became less flexible in times of crisis as it sought to prevent more humiliation. These changes paved the way for 1914 by making future wars more difficult to contain.

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Germany challenged French influence in Morocco by supporting Moroccan independence.

Germany, seeking to counter French influence and disrupt the growing alliance between France and Britain. Kaiser Wilhelm II visits Tangier, Morocco, and gave a speech which Declared Germany's support for Morocco's independence.

To resolve the crisis, an international conference was convened in Algeciras, Spain, in January 1906. The Algeciras Conference (1906), dominated by Britain and France, ruled in favor of France’s control over Morocco.

This Strengthened the Entente Cordiale (Britain and France grew closer).

Isolated Germany diplomatically, as only Austria-Hungary supported them.

Increased German resentment and desire for diplomatic revenge.

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The Anglo-Russian Convention completes the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia. This alliance system effectively encircled Germany and its allies, increasing tensions in Europe. The formation of this alliance marked a crucial step toward the eventual outbreak of World War I.

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The Bosnian Crisis was a diplomatic conflict that occurred in 1908, after Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a consequence of this act, tensions among powers, such as Serbia or Russia, increased and contributed to an instability that eventually led to World War I.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were under Ottoman rule but was administered by Austria-Hungary since the Congress of Berlin. In 1908, the Ottoman Empire was weakened by the Young Turk Revolution, which was a reformist group that aimed to restore the 1876 Constitution and to introduce a more democratic government. After it, Austria-Hungary saw the opportunity to annex the region, resulting in tension in the Blakans area as Serbia wanted Bosnia to be part of a South Slavic state.

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The Agadir Crisis erupts when Germany sends a gunboat to Morocco, challenging French control. This crisis further strained German-French relations and strengthened British support for France. The incident highlighted the increasing willingness of European powers to risk conflict to achieve their goals.

The Second Moroccan Crisis (1911) increased tensions between Germany, France, and Britain. When France sent troops to Fez, Morocco, Germany saw it as an attempt to take full control and sent a warship (SMS Panther) to Agadir in response.

Britain saw this as a threat and supported France, making Germany feel isolated. Eventually, Germany was forced to back down, accepting a small piece of land in Africa while France took Morocco. Many Germans felt humiliated, increasing tensions towards Britain and France.

Although war was avoided because Germany wasn’t ready to fight, the crisis deepened rivalries, strengthened alliances, and increased military spending, pushing Europe closer to World War I in 1914.

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The First Balkan War began owing to states that had previously gained independence from the Ottoman Empire, wanting to liberate people with the same nationality as them from Ottoman rule. The Balkan states, namely Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro, eventually allied against the Ottomans, and their diplomacy was aided by Russia, as it wanted to prevent Austria-Hungary from gaining territory in the region. In March 1912, the Bulgarians and the Serbs made an alliance, which was backed by Russia. Then the Bulgarians and Serbs made alliances with the Greeks and Montenegrins, this led to the Balkan League being formed by September 1912.

Montenegro began the First Balkan War on 8 October 1912, which led to the Ottoman Empire declaring war on the Balkan League on 17 October. Throughout the war there were large battles such as in Buni Hisar/Lule Burgas between the Bulgarians and the Ottomans. This battle was the largest battle in Europe between the Franco-German War (1870-1871) and WWI. Eventually, after the Ottomans were severely weakened, and on 3 December, the Ottomans signed an armistice was signed by the Ottomans, Bulgarians, Montenegrins and Serbians. However, the Greeks continued fighting, although this ended after the Treaty of London, 30 May 1913, which was the final peace settlement signed by the members of the Balkan League and the Ottoman Empire. However, while the conference in London occurred,  ambassadors of the Great Powers met to ensure that their interests would be prioritised and prevail in the Balkan Settlement.

Until 1918 there were tensions throughout Europe owing to the Balkan Wars. For example, Austria-Hungary wanted more territory in the region, which angered Russia, who also wanted to have a sphere of influence in the region. Moreover, after the war ended, the Balkan nations began to disagree over the amount of land that they gained during the First Balkan War. This led to Bulgaria declaring war on Greece and Serbia in June 1913.

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The Treaty of London ends the First Balkan War, redrawing the map of southeastern Europe. The treaty created an independent Albania and enlarged several Balkan states. However, disputes over the division of territory would soon lead to the Second Balkan War, further destabilizing the region.

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Austria-Hungary noticed Serbia's strength as a direct challenge to its regional domination, and the Second Balkan War raised tensions all over Europe. The loss of Bulgaria forced it to turn toward Germany and Austria-Hungary, and Russia strengthened its position in favor of Serbia, which further split the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance. Germany was not willing to fully support Austria-Hungary, which helped avoid war in 1913, but the crisis left the Balkans in a state of chaos. If Serbia was involved in another conflict, the great powers might be drawn in.

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