IR - S3 Powerpoint Q1

Bismarck’s Alliance System was a tribute to his ingenuity but lacked both utility and cohesion

Anna Fantini, Coco Koban, Clémentine Lucas, Simon Lewerenz, Edoardo Tamburelli

The “Iron Chancellor” (1815-1898) ◆

◆

1862-1890 Prussia, Germany, European affairs “Macht get for Recht” powerful domestic rule- diplomacy of Realpolitik,

◆

“In politics there are no certainties” - master

◆

strategist, use of balance of power diplomacy But in doing so he laid the groundwork for both World Wars

“Realpolitik for Bismarck depended on flexibility and on the ability to exploit every available option without the constraint of ideology.” - Kissinger, Diplomacy 

Europe in 1871 ◆

◆

◆

◆

Germany great threat to the peace of Europe but for Bismarck “satiated power” From engineering wars to engineering peace Objectives:: good relations, protection, Objectives dominance, avoid war Strategy: befriend  Strategy: befriend Britain Britain  and and  Russia Russia,, Austria-Hungary,, isolate France France,, subordinate  Austria-Hungary subordinate avoid alliance France-Russia

Europe in the 1870s 5 powers)