What Was The Goal Of Weltpolitik

Kaiser Wilhelm II’s aggressive foreign policy of “weltpolitik” was aimed to establish Germany as global power. Germany’s attempts to play a greater role in Europe and not be isolated in Germany, ultimately failed and led to a World War . The juxtaposition of the actions as result of “weltpolitick” of Kaiser Wilhelm II and alliances support Germany’s responsibility for causing the First World War. In 1890, Germany shifted from Otto Van Bismarck’s foreign policy of “realpolitik” to Kaiser Wilhelm’s II “weltpolitik.” The goal of weltpolitik was to expand Germany’s naval and territories. Wilhelm selected several aggressive generals that would help further his new foreign policy; this included Alfred Von Tirpitz. In 1894, Kaiser Wilhelm II along with the strong support of Tirpitz passed naval law that planned to double the size of German’s navy. Britain, “rulers of the waves” saw this a threat and increased tensions between the two nations. As both nations
tried to create a superior navy, this led to the Naval Arms Race, from 1906-1914. The Naval Arms Race was one of primary reasons that Great Britain agreed to joined the Triple Entente and not continue in isolationist foreign policy. If Germany didn’t have an aggressive foreign policy, Great Britain would not have felt the need to get involved in the developing alliance system in Europe. By the early 1900s Britain had established itself as the major power in Europe, and Britain’s empire expanded over five continents.
In concurrence was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s “weltpolitik,” in March 31, 1905, Kaiser Wilhelm II publicly declared his support for Moroccan independence and his presence was perceived as Germany interest in Morocco, known as the First Moroccan Crisis. Kaiser Wilhelm II did not have any interest in controlling Morocco. In turn, he hoped to disrupt the relationship of Britain and France because Germany had been excluded from the Anglo-French Entente. However, the Kaiser’s actions simply increased suspicions of German and strengthened the bond between Britain and France. Their suspicions led to an alliance between France, Britain, and Russia. If the Germans had not intervened in Morocco, France and Britain would not have felt the need for military action in Morocco against the Germans during the Second Moroccan Crisis and Germany would have avoided increased hostility by the two
nations. The Sarajevo Crisis acted as catalyst for First World War I. Black Hand Secret Society Member, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria, and his wife on June 29, 1914. The Bland Hand Society along with other Serbs in Bosnia disagreed with Austrian-Hungarian decision to annex Bosnia. Austria blamed the Serbian government and responded with an ultimatum. If Serbia did not agree to the demand, Austria would go to war with Serbia. During the 1900s, it was becoming common for people in political power to be assassinated; hence it was quite odd for Austria-Hungary to have strong response to the Ferdinand’s assassination. Austria-Hungary would not have felt the need for a strong action, had it not been for the support of the Germans. Germany gave Austria-Hungary a “blank cheque,” signifying that Austria-Hungary had Germany’s unconditional support if they went to war against the Serbs. Serbia was unable to meet all of the demands because they believed several compromised their independence, thus Austria-Hungary went to war with support from Germany. Austrian-Hungarian attacks of Serbia led to Russian mobilization. This led to a series of other countries such as to get involved, commencing the First World War. Many of these of events could have been avoided had Germany not been involved. Thus, the combination of these events and Kaiser Wilhelm’s aggressive foreign policy demonstrate Germany’s significant role in causing World War I.