Bismarck & Europe 1871- 1878 Labels: Bismarck, Germany, Balkans, Britain, France, Russia, Hapsburg_Empire, Ottoman_Empire

1. What were Otto von Bismarck's aims in foreign policy following Germany's victory over France in 1871?

One of Otto Von Bismarck's aims in foreign policy following Germany's victory over France in 1871 was that he wanted to keep peace with other countries so that he would not further upset the balance of power in Europe. Germany's defeat over France made Germany the most militarily powerful country in Europe, and other countries thought that maybe Bismarck was power hungry and wanted to expand. He wanted to assure them that that was not the case because he did not want to fight anymore wars because it would be pointless to him because his only goal was to protect his empire.
Bismarck to maintain this peace and he had to make sure that there were no threats to the peace. The two biggest threats of this peace were France and a conflict arriving in the Balkans. Bismarck decided to 1) isolate France so any possibility of revenge was impossible and 2) try to smooth out any issues Germany had with Austria-Hungary and the Russians so no conflict would arise. "Bismarck's diplomacy was consequently something of a delicate balancing act: he wished to keep rivalries simmering but to prevent them boiling over." Another way that he had to maintain this peace was by convincing the rest of the countries leaders that he had miraculously changed into a man who was a total supporter of peace. He did this by having meetings with the other countries leaders, the German Kaiser, the Habsburg Emperor, and the Tsar of Russia, which eventually lead to the "Three Emperors League." This league basically gave one another help in protecting their countries against the threats of socialism, republicism, and any conflict in with Austro-russia. Bismark however wasnt in the league for its ideals but for its benifits.

2. Why did events between the years 1875-78 in the Balkans lead to a crisis between the Great Powers?
Events between the years 1875-78 in the Balkans lead to a crisis between the Great Powers for many reasons. The Balkans, being what all the Great Powers wanted to achieve, was off limits to most and this made people angry. It was such a good spot and many countries wanted to expand and wanted the Balkans for this. The Balkans created a problem and lead to a crisis between the Great Powers. The Turks, allegedely massacred over 10000 Bulgarians for the Balkans. The russian volunteers were fighting in Serbia. Australians had only agreed to remain nuetral in russo. Britain stuck up for the Turks after they had massacred all these people for the Balkans. This got Serbia mad and they ended up fighting the turks but were defeated. Russia finally declared war on the Turks and they had won. Russia had one this battle but had lost the peace completely.