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Instructions
1. Choose a question to which you want to respond. Each question is attached as a post. Your post of 250-300 words goes as a "comment" to that post.
2. For your comment of 100-150 words, in the title put your name and to which student's post you are responding. For example, "Valerie commenting on Zlatka's Post". Put it in the section labeled "Comments to Question #__ ". Do NOT put your comments in the same section where you put your original posts.
ALSO... do NOT go back to previous questions. I will no longer look at those.
2. For your comment of 100-150 words, in the title put your name and to which student's post you are responding. For example, "Valerie commenting on Zlatka's Post". Put it in the section labeled "Comments to Question #__ ". Do NOT put your comments in the same section where you put your original posts.
ALSO... do NOT go back to previous questions. I will no longer look at those.
Grading Periods
6th six weeks...last set!
Choose ONE question (#13-15) to answer in a 250-300 work post. Due Friday May 24.
Choose ONE question (#13-15) to answer in a 250-300 work post. Due Friday May 24.
Emerald commenting on Jacquelinne’s Post:
ReplyDeleteI understand your position that Bismarck’s Alliance System was a long term cause of WWI, but to me, it was the unraveling of the Alliance System that was a long term cause of WWI because if Wilhelm II had not fired Bismarck and ended the alliance with Russia, Bismarck would have found a way to avoid tensions between nations, just as he had done with Russia and Austria. Also, Wilhelm II was greatly interested in Germany being a more powerful nation than Britain, so he strived to improve Germany’s navy, resulting in an angry Britain. As Wilhelm II continued to unravel Bismarck’s Alliance System, Germany became more and more isolated, with Austria being their only ally. The Triple Entente was then created, consisting of Britain, France, and Russia, and was aimed against Germany. Therefore, the unraveling of Bismarck’s alliance system can be seen as a long term cause of WWI.
Word Count: 150
Jay commenting on DanThi's post:
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that Bismarck was an educated leader, the long term cause of WWI was the beginning of his Alliance System.
Alliances/treaties ensure moral support in case of wars, and other conditions. However, countries that are together through an alliance may become too dependent on the other, or may perform an action they wouldn’t normally do if they weren’t allied.
During the Moroccan crises, Germany had lost temporary support from Austria. In fear of ever being friendless again, Germany did everything they could in their power to please Austria; including entering the Serbian Crisis even though they felt that Austria was in the wrong. This made Russia, with their alliance-like relations with Serbia, to enter the crisis to make up for their lack of support in the Bosnian Crisis in 1908.
This placed three Great Powers against one another, and eventually more entered; starting the First World War.
Word count: 149
Emily commenting on Brittany’s post:
ReplyDeleteThough I agree that ultimately, the demise of Bismarck’s alliance system did help to cause WWI, I wonder at how fragile Bismarck’s plans are portrayed as. It seems to me that the web of alliances was not quite as delicate as it seemed, nor was Bismarck – clever as he was – unprepared for trouble with his plans.
Recall that the alliance system Bismarck had devised did not begin unraveling until Wilhelm II came to power. One of the major motivations for Wilhelm being such a thorn in Bismarck’s side was the fact that the two men did not see eye to eye on many things – political, economic or social.
In essence, it was not so much the unraveling of Bismarck’s alliance system that was a long term cause of WWI, but Wilhelm II’s rise to power in Germany.
Word count: 142
Tatyana Guy commenting on Soumya's post:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that Bismarck’s Alliance System was not a long term cause of World War I. However, I believe that the unraveling of his Alliance System was a long term cause of World War I. If Kaiser Wilhelm II had not fired Bismarck, then Bismarck would have just found another alliance or peace treaty with which to prevent war with. Because Wilhelm fired Bismarck, the alliance with Russia was broken. Bismarck would have found a way to avoid tensions between Russia and Austria. Germany turned to France when they needed financial help, which went against Bismarck’s goals; to isolate France. Wilhelm II also wanted a larger navy, causing Britain to see Germany as a threat. This left Germany with little allies, and many enemies; the complete opposite of what Bismarck intended for Germany. This in turn, was a long term cause of World War I.
Word Count: 135
Bushra commenting on DanThi Vo's Post
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment that it was not the Bismarck's alliance system, but the unraveling of the alliance system that contributed to WWI. These alliance systems broke apart due to Wilhelm II coming into power. He didn't really have tactics like Bismarck did. Bismarck had maintained the shaky peace between European nations using realpolitik, which is practical judgment rather than ideological and moral considerations, to achieve his goals and strengthen Germany. On the contrary, Wilhelm II used weltpolitik, which means no real goal other than glory, to rule his country. Because of his little to no skill in governing, Russia was left to have a treaty with France. All throughout his rule, Bismarck’s goal was to isolate France and have Russia’s neutrality. He wanted to avoid a two front war. When Wilhelm came into power he didn’t consider it important to have Russia on his side and didn’t bother to renew the Reinsurance Treaty. This led to Russia having a treaty with France forming Russo-French Rapprochement and ultimately the Triple Entente.
word count: 147
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ReplyDeleteAlejandra commenting on Soumya's Post:
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that Bismark’s Alliance System was not a long-term cause of WWI, Wilhelm II’s dismantling was a significant contribution to the great world war.
Wilhelm II’s firing of Bismark led to significant political conflict with certain great powers such as Great Britain and Russia. Wilhelm II had a longing to rule the country with glory by gaining colonies and increasing its naval force. This ultimately angered Britain and thus the alliance with the English was threatened.
The Kaiser discarded Russia’s importance and chose Austria as a more valuable asset due to cultural similarities. However, this decision made Germany lose an ally to the “enemy-country” it primarily wanted to isolate: France. This catalyzed German isolation and the Triple Entente (a plan devised three countries to go against Germany.)
The dismantling of Bismark’s alliance system and Germany’s new found isolation can ultimately be seen as a long-term cause of WWI.
Word Count: 150
Dorian commenting on DanThi's post
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was the unraveling of the alliance system that is too blame as a long term cause of World War 1 rather than the alliances, but the alliance system that had been created by Bismarck was doomed once the issues surrounding the Balkans became integrated into the path Europe was on towards destruction. This is because the conflicting desires of the members present within a single alliance just couldn't allow the maintaining of the alliance without conflict. This is seen between Austria and Russia. Even though they wanted to be able to help each other, their main goal was to help themselves, so if Germany had been allied with Russia after 1890, they wouldn't have been allied with Austria, and this may have changed the course of the war due to a new ally and a new foe but ultimately war would start and Germany would lose.
Number of Words- 150
Sandra commenting on Jacquelinne’s Post
ReplyDeleteThe point you make is very clear and forward and although I agree that alliances will always bring tension within the global community in the long run I don’t think it was necessary the cause of WWI. In my opinion the unraveling of the alliance system caused conflict between major powers leading. Bismarck had well planned out each of his action with the hope of preventing an outbreak of two front war to occur. But after Wilhelm II came in Germany’s goals changed completely than the ones Bismarck had. Wilhelm wanted Germany to take its place in the sun bringing in negative attention as well as breaking treaties with Russia. Thus, creating Germany isolated due to Wilhelm II actions which led to other countries to ally and aim against Germany. The unraveling of Bismarck’s alliance system by Wilhelm II caused for further disputes which led to WWI.
Word Count: 147
Alfredo commenting on Daniella's Post
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do agree with you that Bismarck Alliance system was a cause of WWI due to the unraveling of it, I want to politely straighten out one of your facts and add some information to further strengthen your argument.
You mention that big problems arose after Bismarck did not agree with Wilhelm II “to rule” (where they fighting for who was going to rule?). I am just going to clarify . Bismarck left office after his efforts (Anti-Socialist Laws) to stop the Socialist Revolution were ignored.
You also mention some alliances and said that they were of importance in causing WWI, but failed to expand on why. I’ll expand on one as an example. The League of the Three Emperors (which you mention) created an alliance between Germany, Austria, and Russia. It is significant because after the alliance broke and Russia was no longer in the alliance, the end result was Russia attacking Austria which played a big role towards WWI.
Word Count:150
I disagree with Daniela’s comment. I believe that Bismarck’s elaborate treaties created a great divide between the European powers. By creating this system, Bismarck brought in Austria into the conflict that was originally only between France and Germany. The unraveling of Germany’s alliance system was a cause of WWI, but the system that Bismarck set up was flawed to begin with. It was foolish of him to think that the Russo-German alliance could be strong and long lasting for two reasons. The first reason is that Russia was getting an increasing amount of financial aid from France, Germany’s top enemy. I find it hard to believe that Russia would back up Germany against a country that gives it money which it desperately needs. Secondly, Russia was competing with Austria, Germany’s top ally, in the Balkans. Although Bismarck successfully mediated between the two, the alliances were very limited and almost superficial.
ReplyDeleteJared responding to Soumya
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with your overall point, I feel the need to point out that the tension between the two groups was caused by the competition in the Balkans and in Africa, instead of being factors alongside it. The beginnings of the Dual Alliance were partially based in Africa after the Second Moroccan Crisis, in which Germany lost all support for it, and was clinging to Austria as its only friend.
I believe it’s also important to note that the League of the Three Emperors fell apart before the Dual Alliance came to be, due to Wilhelm II’s failure to sign the Reinsurance Treaty. Wilhelm himself was also a crucial player in the beginning of WWI, as his ambition was what put Germany out into the eyes of the other European nations as a threat.
Word Count: 135
Andrea Commenting on Jacquelinne's post
ReplyDeleteI agree with the point you are trying to make, It's very straight forward. Bismarck alliances were very well thought out and he knew how to negotiate international relations which became beneficial. However i felt like the unraveling of the alliance system was a long term cause to WWI. As you pointed out Wilhelm II did annoy Great Britain because wilhelm wanted Germany to be more powerful. Which cause great tension between the nations. Wilhelm lead the unravel to Bismarck alliance systems. By doing this he caused Germany to only be allied with Austria. The triple entente was an alliance between Britain, France, and Russia who were aiming towards Germany. This ultimately lead to the unraveling of the Bismarck alliance system an d can be viewed as a long term cause to WWI.
Word Count: 133
David commenting to Jackie
ReplyDeleteJackie, although you make valid points, like when you say that even though the unraveling of the alliance system antagonized nations, those antagonized nations simply went out and made more alliances, seems very reasonable. But I’m going to have to disagree with you and say that the unraveling of the alliance system was what caused WW1, rather than the alliance system itself.
Had the alliance system held through all the political turmoil, WW1 either would not have happened, or would have happened at a later date. Additionally, If Germany had remained allied to Russia after 1890, then the Triple Entente wouldn’t have been formed and even if WWI started up, Germany would then have a much better chance of defending themselves and winning due to Russia’s populous army. But the unraveling of the alliance systems didn’t allow for any of this top happen.
Word Count: 143