Thesis: Diplomatic genius guided by the principles of keeping France isolated and remaining on

good terms with both Austria and Russia.

Bismarck’s Foreign Policy

Bismarck had success, defeating his enemies Denmark, Austria, and France. This was
achieved by diplomatic isolation. However Bismarck understood this could not be relied on
again instead he would reform his foreign policy with the goal of preserving the peace of Europe.
Bismarck turned Germany into one of the five European powers along with Britain, France,
Austria, and Russia. Bismarck made significant changes reforming his foreign policy and
forming new alliances. Bismarck’s newly reformed foreign policy attempted to isolate France.
Isolation could only be achieved if Bismarck kept on good terms with both Austria and Russia.
This was important because Germany could not afford a two front war keeping good relations
with Austria and Russia remained extremely important. Bismarck’s believed that in order for
Germany to reach its final interests it must have good relations with Russia and Austria. As he
said, “you forget the importance of being a party of three on the European chessboard.”
Bismarck was attempting to deprive France of a potential allies. This was a difficult task but he
would be able to achieve this if he kept Austria and Russia rivals over the Balkans on good
terms with with other. The friendship with both, Bismarck hoped, would reduce tensions between
both over the Balkans.

In 1873 the Dreikaiserbunk(the League of the Three Emperors) was formed between
Germany, Austria and Russia and was established by Bismarck in an attempt to isolate France.
The allience was designed to stop the spread of revolution in Europe and preserve the status quo
in Europe. Despite’s Austria’s refusal for any military alliance it did have the desired effects in
that it ensure co-operation among the three Eastern powers. Bismarcks primary objective was
successful.

Bismarck took another step with the signing of the Dual Alliance with Austria in 1879.
This secret defense alliance was met with a lot of opposition by Kaiser Wilhelm who believed it
to be anti-Russian. It is still however considered to be “the very corner stone of German foreign
policy.” Bismarck made two major achievements through the dual alliance he ensured
Germany’s southern frontier in the event of a war with Russia. It also frightened Russia into
seeking a closer relationship with Germany.

Russian fear of diplomatic isolation lead in 1881 to the signing of a new Dreikaiserbund
which was formed between Russia, Germany, and Austria. Bismarck hoped that this agreement
would help to reduce tensions between Austria and Russia in the Balkans. It was agreed that the
Western Balkans would be dominated by the Austrians and the Eastern half by the Russians.

Austria and Russian relationships were beginning to deteriorate because of the Bulgarian
crisis which took place between 1885 and 1887 and played a major role in disrupting Bismarck’s
aims. Pro-French feelings and anti-Austrian feelings ensured that Russia and Austria would not
come to agreements. Bismarck then negotiated “his final diplomatic masterpiece.” Known as the
Reinsurance Treaty, the agreement between Russia and Germany formed a defensive alliance.
The treaty stated that in the event that Russia was attacked by Austria, Germany would stay
neutral and Russia agreed to stay neutral if France attacked Germany. Bismarck was able to
reduce the possibility of a Franco-Russian alliance. Bismarck in 1888 established the term of the
Dual Alliance. If Austria declared war on Russia they would not have the support of Germany
they would however have their support if Russia attacked Austria.

Keeping on good terms became increasingly difficult with the new Emperor William II
expressing more anti-Russian feelings while French loans were funding Russian
industrialization. In 1890 when Bismarck resigned as Chancellor one of Kaiser William’s first
acts was to refuse to renew the Reinsurance Treaty. Only four months later a French naval flotilla
called at the Russian naval base at Kronstadt. Bismarck’s policies were in ruins. The nightmare
of a two front war was now a distinct possibility.

In conclusion Bismarck has long enjoyed a formidable reputation in the field of foreign
affairs. He prevented the formation of any hostile coalition against Germany and obtained for his
country recognition of her great power status. His foreign policy was based around the principles
of keeping France isolated and Russia and Austria on good terms. The first of his principles he
largely achieved although this were beginning to unravel by the time of his resignation in 1890
as Russia and France moved closer together. He failed however to neither keep both Austria and
Russia on good terms nor could he reconcile France to the loss of Alsace Lorraine.