International Relations 1878-1941

Austria, Italy, Germany (frees up Austrian troops from Italy frontier in case of war with Russia)

Built by Russia - could send troops straight into China

Dreadnought battleship 1906

Britain and France

Japan recognized Britain's interest in China, and Britain accepted that Japan was interested in Korea

Fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea.

Improvement in Franco-British relations (end to hostility over Egypt)

Negotiated the end of the Russo-Japanese war

Britain, France, Russia

Possible because Russia was weakened by it's defeat in 1905 and was no longer a threat to Britain in China
-Russians gave up all claims to Afghanistan and recognized British interests in Tibet
-Peria was divided into zones of influence: North to Russia, neutral zone, South to England
-Both recognized Chinese sovereignty over Tibet

Sparked by Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sparked by French troops in Morocco due to Fez riots. Germany wanted territorial compensation.

Balkan states attack Turkey. Austro-Russian tensions around Serbia. Crisis averted when Bulgaria fails to take Constantinople.

Turks gave up all territory except small zone around Dardanelles and Bosphorus
- Russia
Albania became an independent state
- Satisfied Austria

Bulgaria attacked Serbia
Greece, Romania, and Turkey all supported Serbia
Bulgaria defeated in a month

Increased territories of Serbia, Greece and Romania

Excuse for Austria to eliminate Serbian threat to Bosnia and South slav territories
Gains German backing (blank cheque)

After Serbia rejects Austria's ultimatum. Germany backing Austria and Russia backing Serbia.

Didn’t want Austro-Hungarian domination of the Balkans or the destruction of Serbia

France couldn’t let the Germans defeat Russia because it would increase German power. The Dual Alliance also bound France to help Russia.

After Russia refuses to step down their mobilization.

After Germany attacked Belgium (Treaty of London 1839)

To capture German territory in Shantung and the German Pacific islands. Primary interest to strengthen hold on China.

Allies plan coordinated attack on Central Powers.

Germany attacks French military fortress in hopes of knocking out France and Britain.

Germans attack British naval fleet but fail to do significant damage.

Swept away Tsarist regime in Russia.

General Ludendorff fears that German lines will fall.

After unrestricted submarine warfare USA declared war on Germany

Wanted to pull Russia out of the war.

British tanks trample Hindenburg line - a pointer to the future of military technology.

Russia forced to give independence to Poland, the Baltic provinces, the Ukraine, Finland and the Caucasus.