WAR IN SIGHT

Question 1

What had changed in France which prompted ideas of another war?

Answer 1

• They had recovered from the Franco-Prussian war by 1875
• the French army organisation law in 1873 increased the number of battalions from 3 to 4, adding 80,000 troops to the army
• the new royalist French government appeared more aggressive and more likely to side with Austria

Question 2

What didnt the French do which antagonised Bismarck\?

Answer 2

Didnt stop French catholics attacking Kulturkampf policies

Question 3

What did the 1st newspaper in Germany suggest?

Answer 3

That Austria and France were uniting in the name of catholicism to fight against Germany

Question 4

What did the 2nd newspaper say in Germany?

Answer 4

The Berliner post in April 1875 made suggestions that Germany were considering a preventative war against France with the headline ‘is war in sight?’

Question 5

What was Europes and Germanys reaction to the Papers?

Answer 5

• considerable alarm spread across Europe, with germam diplomats following it up making it clear they were considering a preventative war against France
• The French, British and Russians were told that a preventative war was being considered and were alarmed

Question 6

How was peace assured after the crisis?

Answer 6

The Tsar of Russia visited Germany with GB support to speak to the Kaiser, whilst Russian chancellor Gorchakov made it clear that peace was assured
-The pressure from Britain and Russia Made Bismarck back down,andhe was excluded from peace talks

Question 7

What was Bismarcks overall reaction to the end of the crisis?

Answer 7

-He didnt like how easily he had been undermined by foreign powers and felt humiliated by the fact he was excluded from peace talks, with the GB and Russians directing their foreign policy