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League of the Three Emperors

April 26, 2024

The League of the Three Emperors or Union of the Three Emperors (German: Dreikaiserbund) was an alliance between the German, Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires, from 1873 to 1887. Chancellor Otto von Bismarck took full charge of German foreign policy from 1870 to his dismissal in 1890. His goal was a peaceful Europe, based on the balance of power. Bismarck feared that a hostile combination of Austria-Hungary, France, and Russia would crush Germany. If two of them were allied, then the third would ally with Germany only if Germany conceded excessive demands. The solution was to ally with two of the three. In 1873 he formed the League of the Three Emperors, an alliance of the Kaisers of Germany and Austria-Hungary and the Tsar of Russia. Together they would control Eastern Europe, making sure that restive ethnic groups such as the Poles were kept in control. It aimed at neutralizing the rivalry between Germany's two neighbors by an agreement over their respective spheres of influence in the Balkans and at isolating Germany's enemy, France. The Balkans posed a more serious issue, and Bismarck's solution was to give Austria predominance in the western areas, and Russia in the eastern areas.[1]

The first League of the Three Emperors was in effect from 1873 to 1878. A second one was established June 18, 1881, and lasted for three years. It was renewed in 1884 but lapsed in 1887. Both alliances ended because of continued strong conflicts of interest between Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Balkans. The second treaty provided that no territorial changes should take place in the Balkans without prior agreement and that Austria could annex Bosnia and Herzegovina when it wished; in the event of war between one party and a great power not party to the treaty, the other two parties were to maintain friendly neutrality.

Bismarck was able to temporarily preserve ties with Russia in the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887; but, after his dismissal, this treaty was not renewed, and a Franco-Russian alliance developed.[2]

First agreement (1873) edit

 
Engraving of Otto von Bismarck in 1873

On 22 October 1873, Bismarck negotiated an agreement between the monarchs of Austria-Hungary, Russia and Germany. The alliance sought to resurrect the Holy Alliance of 1815 and act as a bulwark against radical sentiments that the rulers found unsettling.[3] It was preceded by the Schönbrunn Convention, signed by Russia and Austria–Hungary on 6 June 1873.

Policy edit

Bismarck often led the League as it assessed challenges, centred on maintaining the balance of power among the states involved and Europe at large. The cornerstone of his political philosophy included preserving the status quo and avoiding war. Despite German victory in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, violence remained fresh in the new state's memory and made Germany reluctant to antagonize France but keen as ever to limit its power.

According to the coalition, radical socialist bodies like the First International represented one of the other key threats to regional stability and dominance. The League actively opposed the expansion of its influence.[4]

The League also met crisis in the Eastern Europe, where Bulgarian unrest elicited violent reaction from the Ottoman forces there, which, in turn, met with horror from observing states. The account of the insurrection from an Englishman, Sir Edwin Pears,[5] describes the gruesome atrocities and reveals British surprise at their extent.

First dissolution (1878) edit

The collective initially disbanded in 1878 over territorial disputes in the Balkans as Austria-Hungary feared that Russian support for Serbia might ultimately ignite irredentist passions in the Slav populations.[6] Russian authorities, likewise, feared insurrection if a Pan-Slavist movement gained too much power.[6]

The body's first conclusion in 1879 gave way to the defensive Dual Alliance between Austria-Hungary and Germany to counter potential Russian aggression. In 1882, Italy joined the agreement to form the Triple Alliance.[7]

Revival (1881–1887) edit

 
Alexander III, Franz Joseph and Wilhelm I in Skierniewice in 1884.

The Treaty of Berlin (1878) made Russia feel cheated of its gains in the Russo-Turkish War. Its key role in European diplomacy was not, however, forgotten by Bismarck. A more formal Three Emperors' Alliance was concluded on 18 June 1881.[8] It lasted for three years, and was renewed at Skierniewice in 1884, but lapsed in 1887. Both alliances ended because of conflicts between Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Balkans. To preserve a common understanding with Russia, Germany signed the mutual Reinsurance Treaty in 1887.

Although the Russians considered it humiliating and prevented them using their Black Sea Fleet elsewhere, the closure of the Straits to foreign warships, included in the treaties of 1881 and 1884, meant there was little reason to maintain their fleet in the Black Sea.[9]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Raymond James Sontag, European Diplomatic History: 1871–1932 (1933) pp. 3–58
  2. ^ "Dreikaiserbund". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2016 <https://www.britannica.com/event/Dreikaiserbund>.
  3. ^ Gildea 2003, p. 237.
  4. ^ Henig, Ruth Beatrice (2002). The Origins of the First World War. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 0-415-26185-6.
  5. ^ Sir Edwin Pears, Forty Years in Constantinople, 1873–1915, (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1916), pp. 16–19, reprinted in Alfred J. Bannan and Achilles Edelenyi, eds., Documentary History of Eastern Europe, (New York: Twayne Publishers, 1970), pp. 191–94. found at [1], last visited June 24, 2011
  6. ^ a b Gildea 2003, p. 240.
  7. ^ "GHDI - Document".
  8. ^ Text of the actual agreement, last visited Oct. 29, 2018
  9. ^ Langer, William L. (January 1929). "Russia, the Straits Question, and the European Powers, 1904-8". The English Historical Review. 44 (173): 59–85. doi:10.1093/ehr/XLIV.CLXXIII.59. JSTOR 552495.

Sources edit

  • Gildea, Robert (2003). Barricades and Borders: Europe 1800–1914. Oxford University Press. p. 237. ISBN 0-19-925300-5.
  • Goriainov, Serge (1918). "The End of the Alliance of the Emperors" . American Historical Review. 23 (2): 324–49. JSTOR 1836570 – via Wikisource. [scan  ]
  • Langer, William. European Alliances and Alignments 1870–1890 (2nd ed. 1950), pp. 197–212
  • Medlicott, W. N. "Bismarck and the Three Emperors' Alliance, 1881-87," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society Vol. 27 (1945), pp. 61–83 online
  • Meyendorff, A. "Conversations of Gorkachov with Andrassy and Bismarck in 1872," The Slavonic and East European Review (1929) 8#23 pp. 400–08. in JSTOR
  • Schroeder, Paul W. "Quantitative Studies in the Balance of Power: An Historian's Reaction," The Journal of Conflict Resolution (1977) 21#1 pp. 3–22. in JSTOR
  • Taylor, A.J.P. The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848–1918 (1954)

April 26, 2024
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The League of the Three Emperors or Union of the Three Emperors German Dreikaiserbund was an alliance between the German Russian and Austro Hungarian Empires from 1873 to 1887 Chancellor Otto von Bismarck took full charge of German foreign policy from 1870 to his dismissal in 1890 His goal was a peaceful Europe based on the balance of power Bismarck feared that a hostile combination of Austria Hungary France and Russia would crush Germany If two of them were allied then the third would ally with Germany only if Germany conceded excessive demands The solution was to ally with two of the three In 1873 he formed the League of the Three Emperors an alliance of the Kaisers of Germany and Austria Hungary and the Tsar of Russia Together they would control Eastern Europe making sure that restive ethnic groups such as the Poles were kept in control It aimed at neutralizing the rivalry between Germany s two neighbors by an agreement over their respective spheres of influence in the Balkans and at isolating Germany s enemy France The Balkans posed a more serious issue and Bismarck s solution was to give Austria predominance in the western areas and Russia in the eastern areas 1 The first League of the Three Emperors was in effect from 1873 to 1878 A second one was established June 18 1881 and lasted for three years It was renewed in 1884 but lapsed in 1887 Both alliances ended because of continued strong conflicts of interest between Austria Hungary and Russia in the Balkans The second treaty provided that no territorial changes should take place in the Balkans without prior agreement and that Austria could annex Bosnia and Herzegovina when it wished in the event of war between one party and a great power not party to the treaty the other two parties were to maintain friendly neutrality Bismarck was able to temporarily preserve ties with Russia in the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887 but after his dismissal this treaty was not renewed and a Franco Russian alliance developed 2 Contents 1 First agreement 1873 2 Policy 3 First dissolution 1878 4 Revival 1881 1887 5 See also 6 References 7 SourcesFirst agreement 1873 edit nbsp Engraving of Otto von Bismarck in 1873 On 22 October 1873 Bismarck negotiated an agreement between the monarchs of Austria Hungary Russia and Germany The alliance sought to resurrect the Holy Alliance of 1815 and act as a bulwark against radical sentiments that the rulers found unsettling 3 It was preceded by the Schonbrunn Convention signed by Russia and Austria Hungary on 6 June 1873 Policy editBismarck often led the League as it assessed challenges centred on maintaining the balance of power among the states involved and Europe at large The cornerstone of his political philosophy included preserving the status quo and avoiding war Despite German victory in the Franco Prussian War of 1870 1871 violence remained fresh in the new state s memory and made Germany reluctant to antagonize France but keen as ever to limit its power According to the coalition radical socialist bodies like the First International represented one of the other key threats to regional stability and dominance The League actively opposed the expansion of its influence 4 The League also met crisis in the Eastern Europe where Bulgarian unrest elicited violent reaction from the Ottoman forces there which in turn met with horror from observing states The account of the insurrection from an Englishman Sir Edwin Pears 5 describes the gruesome atrocities and reveals British surprise at their extent First dissolution 1878 editThe collective initially disbanded in 1878 over territorial disputes in the Balkans as Austria Hungary feared that Russian support for Serbia might ultimately ignite irredentist passions in the Slav populations 6 Russian authorities likewise feared insurrection if a Pan Slavist movement gained too much power 6 The body s first conclusion in 1879 gave way to the defensive Dual Alliance between Austria Hungary and Germany to counter potential Russian aggression In 1882 Italy joined the agreement to form the Triple Alliance 7 Revival 1881 1887 edit nbsp Alexander III Franz Joseph and Wilhelm I in Skierniewice in 1884 The Treaty of Berlin 1878 made Russia feel cheated of its gains in the Russo Turkish War Its key role in European diplomacy was not however forgotten by Bismarck A more formal Three Emperors Alliance was concluded on 18 June 1881 8 It lasted for three years and was renewed at Skierniewice in 1884 but lapsed in 1887 Both alliances ended because of conflicts between Austria Hungary and Russia in the Balkans To preserve a common understanding with Russia Germany signed the mutual Reinsurance Treaty in 1887 Although the Russians considered it humiliating and prevented them using their Black Sea Fleet elsewhere the closure of the Straits to foreign warships included in the treaties of 1881 and 1884 meant there was little reason to maintain their fleet in the Black Sea 9 See also editHoly Alliance Eight Nation Alliance International relations 1814 1919 Three Emperors CornerReferences edit Raymond James Sontag European Diplomatic History 1871 1932 1933 pp 3 58 Dreikaiserbund Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc 2016 Web 10 Feb 2016 lt https www britannica com event Dreikaiserbund gt Gildea 2003 p 237 Henig Ruth Beatrice 2002 The Origins of the First World War Routledge p 3 ISBN 0 415 26185 6 Sir Edwin Pears Forty Years in Constantinople 1873 1915 New York D Appleton and Co 1916 pp 16 19 reprinted in Alfred J Bannan and Achilles Edelenyi eds Documentary History of Eastern Europe New York Twayne Publishers 1970 pp 191 94 found at 1 last visited June 24 2011 a b Gildea 2003 p 240 GHDI Document Text of the actual agreement last visited Oct 29 2018 Langer William L January 1929 Russia the Straits Question and the European Powers 1904 8 The English Historical Review 44 173 59 85 doi 10 1093 ehr XLIV CLXXIII 59 JSTOR 552495 Sources editGildea Robert 2003 Barricades and Borders Europe 1800 1914 Oxford University Press p 237 ISBN 0 19 925300 5 Goriainov Serge 1918 The End of the Alliance of the Emperors American Historical Review 23 2 324 49 JSTOR 1836570 via Wikisource scan nbsp Langer William European Alliances and Alignments 1870 1890 2nd ed 1950 pp 197 212 Medlicott W N Bismarck and the Three Emperors Alliance 1881 87 Transactions of the Royal Historical Society Vol 27 1945 pp 61 83 online Meyendorff A Conversations of Gorkachov with Andrassy and Bismarck in 1872 The Slavonic and East European Review 1929 8 23 pp 400 08 in JSTOR Schroeder Paul W Quantitative Studies in the Balance of Power An Historian s Reaction The Journal of Conflict Resolution 1977 21 1 pp 3 22 in JSTOR Taylor A J P The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848 1918 1954 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title League of the Three Emperors amp oldid 1190285794, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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