Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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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.
Although Bismarck’s Alliance System is cited as a long term cause of WWI, the real problems arose from the unraveling of the system. Bismarck was a well educated leader in Germany, and had strategic plans for each of his actions, which created his tangled web of alliances. Any alteration, would lead to enormous problems.
ReplyDeleteWhen Kaiser Wilhelm II began wanting to build a large navy and establish colonies, unwanted, negative attention was drawn to Germany, specifically by the British, who wanted no threats to their empire. Wilhelm II also damaged the system, when he decided to end Germany’s alliance with Russia. Alexander III was in need of financial assistance, and turned to the French, leading to the demise of Bismarck’s original goal of creating an alliance system; for French isolation, and German protection. Therefore, had Wilhelm II continued the alliance with Russia in 1890, I believe that much of the tensions that followed the action, would have been avoided.
With the termination of an alliance with Russia, and the threat against the British, both nations began enlisting in assistance to build up forces for a wide-spread war. An arms race began between the nations of Europe, and alliances began to form. Without German help, the Russians knew that they needed assistance in building up for war, and help was found in the British and French. If Bismarck’s plan had been followed, war could have been avoided, like it had been between Austria and Russia over the Balkans, since 1881. With the treaties Bismarck created, peace agreements were formed, and although ultimately unsuccessful, war was avoided for quite some time.
Due to these facts, the actual long term cause of WWI was the unraveling of Bismarck’s Alliance System, not its initial creation. (B. McCune, 295 words)
Bismarck‘s Alliance System can not be seen as a long term cause of WWI. Firstly, the constant changes in alliances as well as the fact that most alliances, such as the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887, and the Austro-German Alliance of 1879 were formed secretly, caused a lot of tension as well as pressure among the Great Powers. It was not only Bismarck however, who had these secret treaties. The other great powers had secret treaties too, for example Italy and France. Although the unraveling of the alliances can be seen as a major problem, it can yet not be seen as a long term cause of WWI. If the alliance system would have not broken apart, the League of the three Emperors would have still existed, which would have isolated France and in the long run, caused a war. The same scenario would have happened If Germany had remained allied to Russia after 1890. Knowing Russia on their side would not have saved Germany from the desire of a war. Furthermore, it would have pushed Germany in a better position, and war would have broken out even earlier.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, one also has to consider that it was not Bismarck in particular who ended the alliance with Russia, but rather Wilhelm II, who believed that Germany‘s alliance with Austria was more important than that with Russia. It was not only Bismarck‘s Alliance System who caused problems, but rather Wilhelm‘s II policies, that unraveled the alliance system and that caused a lot of trouble in Europe.
Also, without Bismarck‘s alliance system, a war would have not been inevitable either, due to militarism, nationalism, and imperialism movements in Europe.
It can therefore be seen that a war was inevitable and that Bismarck‘s Alliance System was not a long term cause of WWI
(Juliane Berger, 300 words)
Some cite the unraveling of the alliance system as a long term cause of World War I, but in all actuality it was this very system that was a long term cause of the war. The alliance system thrived due to Bismarck; He knew how to navigate within the realm of international relations, and one way that he prevented conflict, was by creating alliances. This system was beneficial; just like with diseases, where it is cheaper to prevent outbreaks rather than treat them, it is cheaper for a nation to prevent conflict rather than trying to solve it.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Proponents of the idea that the unraveling of the system was a cause, make a valid point when they point out that the unraveling antagonized many nations; however these antagonized nations simply went out and made more alliances. For instance after Russia was no longer allied with Germany; they sought out an alliance with France. After Wilhelm II antagonized Great Britain, they also sought an alliance with Russia. These alliances contributed to the creation of the Triple entente, a grouping of nations that was crucial in World War I.
Secondly, alliances are still seen in modern day diplomacy between nations, the alliance system will never die; Bismarck’s way of alliances may have unraveled, but from its ashes came new alliances and agreements. Even if Russia and Germany had remained allies, a war would still have ensued. Bismarck planted the seed of alliances and this idea/system allowed nations to obtain allies, power, and the ability to efficiently fight against adversaries. It also angered nations when their alliances didn’t work or nations broke away from alliances, which created tension within the global community. All of this indicates that the alliance system was in fact a long term cause of the war.
(Jacquelinne Tobar word count:300)
It wasn't Bismarck's Alliance System that was the long term cause of World War I, but more of the crumbling of his alliance system that caused it. Had Kaiser Wilhelm II renewed the Reinsurance Treaty with Russia in 1890, the outcome would have been much different.
ReplyDeleteBismarck was a realpolitiker. He did not go about doing unnecessary things like expansion of the navy or imperialism. He was practical and figured that if Germany was to survive as a country, France had to be out of threat's way. And so, with his alliance system, not only did he isolate France from jumping back into the game, but he also had the reinsurance that everything would be alright.
Unfortunately when Bismarck stepped down from office in 1890, everything he worked for, from no expansion to isolation of France, was ruined by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Wilhelm II basically opened up the opportunity for France to gain allies when he refused to renew the Reinsurance Treaty, and he became a threat to Great Britain by carrying out his quixotic ideas of a big navy and colonies. These actions lead to the Triple Entente between Great Britain, France, and Russia against the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
So while Bismarck's Alliance system did start the chain of events that led up to World War I, it wasn't his actual alliance system that was a long term cause, but rather, the crumbling of Bismarck's original plan after Wilhelm II seceded the throne and refused to renew the alliance with Russia.
(Reina Wong, 256 words)
Bismarck's Alliance System was not at all a long time cause for WWI. Originally Bismarck had created an alliance in order to isolate France from having any allies if they decide to attack Germany. He needed the great powers to be sided with him. However it wasn’t just his alliance system that was the cause of war but series of events and treaties that took place that lead up to the war. The Three Emperors League had Russia and Austria agreeing with one another for a moment despite fight for the Ottoman Empire. The alliance had stalled war for about 5 years but things to go downhill after the Congress of Berlin, where Russia left, the Three Emperors League and then the Dual alliance to take place. Eventually Italy joined creating the Triple Alliance and soon Italy created a secret Alliance with France that they would stay neutral if a war were to happen with France and Austria. Russia then became involved with France in the Franco-Russian Alliance because they feared the Triple Alliance which defeated Bismarck’s goal to isolate France. Britain soon realized it needed allies after Germany offered to join with Boers to defeat their rule. The Entente Cordiale was formed which ended brought France and Britain together, along with the Anglo-Russian Entente and the Franco-Russian Alliance, later became part of the Triple Entente. Events like the In Tangier Crisis where Italy did not support Germany, Agadir Crisis which created tension between Britain and Germany, the Bosnian crisis I which Russia's was humiliated by Austria-Hungary who had rejected Russian designs on the Straits. It was the competition between the two alliances, tension between the rivaling countries, and finally the fight for the Balkans were leading up to the cause of World War I.
ReplyDeleteWord count 295
Soumya Srivastava
A long term cause of WWI was not Bismarck’s Alliance System, but rather the unraveling of the Alliance System. Had the alliances still held, WWI would have been at a much later date due to Bismarck’s ability to maintain and keep alliances between Europeans nations. The main problems with the alliances started up after Wilhelm II fired Bismarck because Bismarck did not agree with Wilhelm II’s plans to rule.
ReplyDeleteWilhelm II wanted to conquer nations and glory for himself, which was the sign of the alliances breaking. He wanted to build a navy as strong as Great Britain’s, because at the moment, he only had a strong army but not a navy. Wilhelm II also wanted to isolate France and make it unable to have any allies, thus further wrecking Bismarck’s alliance system. He succeeded for a time, but then ultimately failed and ended up only having Austria-Hungary as his ally because all the other nations were threatened by him. The main cause why France, Britain, and Russia formed the Triple Entente was to defend themselves against Germany. This soon led to war because of all the contrasting ideas present in the different alliances form after Bismarck left office.
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. Wilhelm II lost a valuable ally in Russia when he decided that Austria-Hungary’s friendship was more important than Russia’s. This also led to war because if Wilhelm II had been able to secure an alliance with Russia, then WWI might have never happened and the result would’ve been much different if it did.
Word Count: 293
In 1871, after defeating the French in the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck accomplished his primary goal; he had united Germany under Wilhelm, making himself Minister President of Germany. The war had boosted unification and gave territorial gains to Germany: Alsace and Lorraine. Although this was a great moment for Germany, they now had an important enemy. The French, having lost territory, dealing German troops on their land, and having to pay war reparations, wanted revenge. Bismarck, in protecting his new nation, created an elaborate alliance system. Doing so created a great divide amongst major European powers. This divide however, was not the sole cause of World War 1. It was the unraveling of Bismarck’s alliance system that caused WW1 to start as it did.
ReplyDeleteAfter the unification of Germany, Bismarck started the League of the Three Emperors creating an alliance between Germany, Austria and Russia. Due to conflicts between Austria and Russia in the Balkans, this alliance terminated but was reinstated thanks to efforts by Bismarck to settle the issue by creating an Austrian and a Russian sphere of influence in the Balkans. In 1890, Russia left the alliance. It is important to note that Russia was receiving much financial assistance from France at this point and therefore became increasingly pro French, Germany’s most important enemy. This pushed Russia away from Germany and therefore away from Austria. In 1914, when Austria attacked Serbia over the Bosnian crisis, Russia would not stand for their sphere of influence in the Balkans being threatened. This led to Russia attacking Austria which marked the beginning of great-power versus great power military conflict in WW1. Had Bismarck been around to keep Russia in the alliance, WW1 would likely have not happened or at least not started in the way that it did.
Word Count: 296
Although bismarcks alliance system was cause. It was not the long term cause for world war 1. The maim long term causr for world war 1 was the unraveling of the alliance system. The big problems with the alliances began after bismarck did not agrer with wilhem II to rule. The triple alliance,the dual alliance,the three emperors league played a huge role aswell since it created tension between the countries so that they would.fight for balkans which led to world war 1 . Wilhem 1 wanted more.glory,he.also.wanted a strong navy since.he.already had the army he also wanted.more.colonies and this meant breaking away.from each other. Wilhem II wanted.france to have.no allies to get revenge. In the end he failed even though at first he accomplished.france having no aloes. France,britain and russia formed triple entente.in order to go against germany. Cause.of this led to war. if.germany would have been in alliance with russia none of this would have happened and triple entente would not.have existed. Wilhem lost russia and.preferred austria_hungary was more important then russia. that led to war since wilhem could have.protected russia with an allaince , renew alliance and the result would have been totally different.
ReplyDeleteWord.count :263
Bismarck’s Alliance System was a very methodical and fragile web of relations, however it did not ultimately serve as a long term cause of World War I because the problems did not lie within the alliances themselves, but rather the unraveling of the system.
ReplyDeleteAfter Bismarck was fired by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1890, the entire aim of Germany’s goals shifted completely. Bismarck’s carefully planned out and incredibly strategic alliances that he had formed with various nations were destroyed and this served as the point where everything went downhill because Wilhelm II had entirely different views about domestic and foreign policy. While Bismarck tried to stay on the good side of most countries so as to avoid potential conflict, establish alliances, and create a steadily prospering nation; Wilhelm II was heavily military oriented, very intent on making a good name for Germany, and had minimal regard for Great Britain. Due to these vast differences, the entire alliance system fell apart and served as a significant trigger for changing tensions and animosity between European countries.
When Wilhelm II gave Germany the image of a country itching for conflict, the alliance system that Bismarck had spent so much time putting in to place to ensure Germany wasn’t ever without support versus other powers began to fall apart. After their alliance with Russia was terminated, Russia turned to Britain and France for help, resulting in Germany being isolated while France had allies. Bismarck’s work was destroyed and the already delicate alliances quickly fell apart, which may have been avoidable or could have at least occurred in a manner that didn’t create such instability. The conclusion of these events contributed significantly to the fuel that caused WWI.
Word count: 284
The unraveling of Bismarck’s Alliance System was a major long term cause of WWI; primarily the alliances were the problem as well. Bismarck’s original goal was to isolate France and to primarily keep itself as one of the great powers, but not too great because that’s when other powers come into keep the balance. The alliance system itself was developed by Bismarck made for Germany, so that Germany was practically the leader or “place in the sun”. While other countries were worrying about armies, navies, and colonies, Germany was rising to the top. In trying to accomplish this he created and negotiated alliances in secret, which made Germany’s standing even better. Other countries as well started to create and build alliances as well in secrecy, which in the end wasn’t very successful because they betrayed and went behind each other’s backs a lot thus causing a lot of tension and pressure between countries, especially between the six Great Powers. The alliances ultimately led to the unraveling of Bismarck’s alliance system and all the powers into the WWI in 1914. If Germany would’ve stayed allied to Russia, in the 2nd League of 3 Emperors in 1890, Bismarck’s Alliance System wouldn’t have failed. When Kaiser Wilhelm II came into power, he messed up Bismarck’s original plans which was to not expand and keep France isolated; Kaiser Wilhelm II was no longer looking out for the best outcome for Germany. He was primarily focused on creating a large navy, gaining colonies and making an alliance with Austria; thus bringing more attention to Germany, which is bad. Resulting in the formation of France, Britain, and Russia, the Triple Entente, which was created to defend themselves from Germany. The differences between all these countries, and the combinations of alliances ultimately led to World War I.
ReplyDeleteSymone Magee
Word Count: 300