The Political Circumstances in Europe - Essay Example

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS The world has turned into a global village in the contemporary age and the concept of international relations has got significant boost with the passage of time. "International relations", Hoffmann submits, "is concerned with the factors and the activities which affect external policies and the power of the basic units into which the world is divided."(Quoted in Chander & Arora, 1998:2) The era between 1871 and 1920 maintains a remarkable place in the European power politics, which has been a subject of worthwhile interest for the students of international relations, international politics and global history for years. The era presented new dimensions and set new trends in respect of foreign relations and diplomatic affairs on the one hand, and the tradition of international pacts, friendships and rivalries as well as lust for domination over other countries on the other. Britain and Germany were the principal actors on the Europes great stage, who led their nations and allied countries against each other as the opponents in World War I leaving the world in a sorry state of mass destruction and losses in men and material. The political circumstances in Europe took a drastic change at the eve of the unification of Germany on January 9, 1871, which was a grand incident not only in the history of Germany and Europe, but also in the history of the world at large. The credit of the whole process of unification goes to the then Prussian and later German Iron Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, who played decisive role in the whole development of the merger of various Prussian states under the sway of German monarch. The decade of 1860s was imperative for the Prussian history during which she fought three great wars under Bismarcks dynamic leadership and won all the three leading towards unification of Germany. Bismarck assumed power in 1861 and was determined for the unification of his motherland from the very first day of taking the reins of the Prussian government. Prussia defeated Denmark in the Schleswig-Holstein War in 1864, and humiliated Austria-Hungary in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Prussia waged a war against France, which resulted in the defeat of the latter and the unification of Germany was complete in 1871. Bismarck settled the aftermath of wars against Denmark and Austria-Hungary under very moderate terms and conditions, but his attitude was extremely hard and hostile one while dealing with France. France was demanded a huge war indemnity as well as was deprived of her highly productive industrial areas i.e. Alsace and Lorraine It was a token of enormous degradation and humiliation of the whole French nation, where the feelings of revenge were at their climax in the heart of the people and Bismarck turned out to be the most unwanted personality for the whole French nation. The sentiments of vengeance arose among the French and the foundations of new foreign policies were laid on the principles of retaliation, uncertainty and malice. Bismarck had been acquainted with the feelings of sorrow the then French people contained. It is therefore he had fears regarding French attack in the future years to come. It is therefore he introduced the politics of alliances in the European states and international relations as well. The pivot of his foreign policy was to isolate France in the arena of international politics so that she could not manage to threat or thwart Germany. Under such sheer state of fears, Bismarck created the Dreikaiserbund or the Three Emperors League in 1873, where the Emperors of Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary were united to co-operate with one another. Thus Bismarcks individual foreign policy to isolate France led the world towards the politics of alliances and rivalries dragging these rival alliances on the way of the horrible World War I consequently. The situation of French political isolation remained until Bismarck was at the helm of the German government. His dismissal in 1890 gave way to the Franco-Russian alliance and Britain also joined it in the beginning of the twentieth century. "The situation changed with the accession to the throne of Wilhelm II in 1888 and his dismissal of Bismarck two years later. In light of later events, Bismarcks dismissal has appeared as a fatal mistake. Wilhelm II, however, had good reasons to dismiss the chancellor, who had become stubborn and self-righteous." (Colby.edu) The tradition of making alliances had divided the European nations in two explicit blocks i.e. Triple Alliance comprising of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy and Triple Entete comprised of England, France and Russia. It left indelible imprints on the individual, state and international relationships. Wilhelm II of Germany was also very arrogant who yearned to cow down Britain in the Mediterranean by preparing war ships. Britain was also not unaware of such war preparations and made two ships in comparison with one ship of Germany. British politicians were very sharp and had command over the calculations regarding the strength and loyalty of their allies. On the other hand, Wilhelm II of Germany was very haughty and emotional. He wanted world dominance at any cost since his accession to the German throne in 1888. It is therefore he dismissed the seasoned politician Bismarck in order to impose his own policies in international arena. The first decade of the twentieth century was the period of war preparations as well as trying the allies. It was Britain which supported her ally France at all international forums, while the two of the allies of Triple Alliance i.e. Austria-Hungary and Italy maintained serious reservations but also differences on many international issues. It is therefore Italy forsook her allies during the course of World War I in 1915. The international politics from 1888 onward was revolving around the ambitions of one single personality i.e. Wilhelm II of Germany. Wilhelm always discouraged Britains advances regarding making an alliance with Germany. He not only humiliated Britain in this regard, but also showed such preparations of war that revealed him as the direct threat to Britain. All the world was mobilized according to the political measures taken by the German Emperor between 1888 and 1914. He supported Turkish Ottoman Empire against the Balkan states and condemned Russian support to Yugoslavia against Austria-Hungary. Had he not been mobilized his forces against the Russian advances towards Austria-Hungary and tried to solve the issue in an amicable way, the map of the world and strategy of international relations must have been different. He not only committed blunders before the World War I, but also displayed lack of wisdom and foresight during the course of war. The attack of German war ships on the US merchant ship was the turning point of the war, where the US got an opportunity to enter the war from the side of Triple Entete leading towards the defeat and humiliation of Germany. Wilhelm II was not ready to abdicate even after loosing the war against the Allies. It provided the cruel and clever British Prime Minister Lloyd George to apply his own method of sharing the dividend between the triumphed nations leaving Germany and her allies in a state of complete destruction, dejection, disappointment and turmoil. BIBLIOGRAPHY Chander, Parkash & Arora Prem. International relations. Cosmos Book-hive Private Limited Delhi. 1998 Mahajan, V. D. European History. C. Chand and Company Limited. Ram Nagar New Delhi. 1998 World Politics and Domestic Challenges, 1890-1914 (Quoted in http://www.colby.edu/personal/r/rmscheck/GermanyB2.html) Read More