The First Morocco Crisis: France, Germany and Morocco
Under the Entente Cordiale, Britain recognised Morocco as part of France's domain, with France having the right to intervene should issues with the Sultan arise. Germany sought to challenge France's influence in Morocco. There are several motives for this, including a desire to damage the relationship between France and Britain, as well as the potential for a new victorious war against France.
Thus in 1905 Wilhelm II publically supported Moroccan independence, landing in the Port of Tangiers and asking for an international conference to be conveyed in order to establish Morocco's status. This conference, held in Spain the following year, was supported by Britain, Russia, Spain, Italy and the US. The result was that France's dominion status was made official, given control over administration and parts of the economy. Another unforseen result for Germany was a strengthening of the ties between Britain and France, and the two countries started to consider a war against Germany in Europe. |
The Second Moroccan Crisis
Order broke down in Morocco in 1911 and France sent troops to Fez to protect foreigners. However this went against the agreements brokered in 1906 and Germany used this as an excuse to despatch a gunboat, the Panther, to the port of Agadir. This triggered a second crisis in Morocco as Europe saw the Panther as a militaristic action, coupled with Germany's claiming of the French Congo in retribution.
Britain readied its fleet, publically speaking against Germany's actions. War was avoided by the concession of a small area of the French Congo to Germany and France was assured a free hand in the running of Morocco.
In terms of the steps towards WWI, the Moroccan Crises essentially strengthened the Entente Cordiale, heightened the tension between the great powers of Europe, and demonstrated that Britain was determined to act against Germany's expansion policy.
Britain readied its fleet, publically speaking against Germany's actions. War was avoided by the concession of a small area of the French Congo to Germany and France was assured a free hand in the running of Morocco.
In terms of the steps towards WWI, the Moroccan Crises essentially strengthened the Entente Cordiale, heightened the tension between the great powers of Europe, and demonstrated that Britain was determined to act against Germany's expansion policy.
The Balkans
The eminent collapse of the Ottoman Empire left the Turkish Baltic states vulnerable. For Austria-Hungary, the territory represented prestige and power. Russia was attached to the idea of panslavism, wherein they would oversee the region as a free Slavic federation. Also of consideration was the loss against Japan in 1905, with the Balkan region potentially becoming an area of influence to make up for their loss in East Asia.
First Balkan War - 1912 |
1908 Bosnian CrisisIn October 1908, the foreign ministers of Austria-Hungary and Russia dealt out the Balkans. Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they had held since 1878, and Russia claimed the right to use the Dardanelles in order to have access for their fleet into the Mediterranean. They agreed to announce this together to circumvent any issues other powers may have with their land grab. However, Austria-Hungary announced earlier and as the other European powers were so adverse to this action, Russia was not able to claim their part, and denied any involvement in the deal. Serbia started action against the Austrians and in turn, Austria began mobilising against Serbia.
It could have escalated into war, had the other powers not stood up. Britain sought to mediate the crisis. Also Germany took a stand and stated that Austria's annexations should be kept. Russia was given an ultimatum by Germany: back down or face a war. The crisis was averted when Russia back down. The result of the crisis was Russia becoming more dependent on the strength of the Triple Entente, strengthening the bond between the three nations. Russia also began to build anti-Austrian sentiment in the Balkans, encouraging Serbia to stir up anti-Austrian feelings within the empire. |
In September 1911 Italy took advantage of the weakening Ottoman Empire by seizing Tripoli. The ensuing war between the two created a feeling of unease in the Balkans, as there was a possibility that Austria-Hungary would use this as a distraction as they seized the remainder of the region.
The Balkan League was formed in 1912 as a result, with Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Montenegro using the situation themselves, attacking the Ottoman forces and driving them back to the Dardanelles. The great powers intervened when they started to divide the conquered territories. Russia and Austria-Hungary were in direct disagreement, with the former demanding that the Serbs should have access to the sea, and the latter arguing against this. Germany tried to save some of Turkey's land in a bid to create a new alliance, whilst at the same time attempting to limit Russian influence in the region. France and Britain intervened to stop the spread of the conflict. Once again a major war was imminent, with Russia and Austria-Hungary partially mobilised in by December 1912. Britain and Germany essentially pulled the two countries back from the brink, with Germany refusing to back Austria's impending action and a conference in London in 1913 denying Serbia access to the Adriatic Sea, but instead grating extra land. |
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Second Balkan War - 1913
A second war broke out in the Balkan region the following year, as Bulgaria, dissatisfied with the results of the First Balkan War, attacked Serbia and Greece. Bulgaria was defeated and lost much of their gains.
The result of the wars in the Balkans was an increasingly heightened sense of tension, as Germany and Britain had struggled to maintain a sense of peace amongst Russia and Austria-Hungary who were antagonistic towards each other, as well as dealing with continuing issues in the Balkan regions. Russia and Austria-Hungary felt that there allies should have supported them more, rather than act as mediators.
The result of the wars in the Balkans was an increasingly heightened sense of tension, as Germany and Britain had struggled to maintain a sense of peace amongst Russia and Austria-Hungary who were antagonistic towards each other, as well as dealing with continuing issues in the Balkan regions. Russia and Austria-Hungary felt that there allies should have supported them more, rather than act as mediators.