Weltpolitik

·         Germany itself could no longer rely on Anglo- French hostility to strengthen its own hand.

How successful this policy was between 1897-1904?

·         At first the decision to embark on weltpolitik in 1897 was probably no more than a desire felt in Germany that is was time for the country to catch up with the other major European powers. It was rather a mixture of hopes and fears, and there was no real consensus among the leading figures about planning.

·         By 1904 Germany found itself in a state of diplomatic confusion. The real benefits of weltpolitik remained limited to the commercial advantages from overseas economic expansion and the prestige arising from possessing a powerful army and navy.

·         However, Germany’s colonial possessions remained few. In this sense, at very considerable financial cost, Weltpolitik had made very little progress towards promoting Germany to world-power status. Therefore, it could be argued, as many Germans did at the time, that Weltpolitik did not pose a real threat to anyone else. However, it was not seen this way outside Germany.

·         Britain had been alienated and was soon to take step to maintain its naval lead. At the same time, it had aligned itself with France. As a result, Germany’s diplomatic and strategic position was weaker in 1904 than it had been for a generation or so before.

·         In this sense the early years of Weltpolitik contributed to an important chance in the European balance of power.

Key words in this sections

Social isolation: In the nineteenth century Britain had been the strongest power because of its navy and empire, therefore it had no need to sign alliances with others. However, although Britain was till isolated in 1900, it faced increasing pressures from France, Germany and Russia and the isolation appeared less attractive.

Japanese Alliance: An alliance signed by Japan and Britain in 1902 but limited to the pacific region

Anglo- French agreement: a colonial agreement signed by France and Britain in 1904, which evolved into the entente cordiale.