TOPIC 3: Diplomatic struggle during the World War I

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 458.

TOPIC 2: International relations before the World War I

This topic examines the existing alliances and balance of powers in Europe in the beginning of the XX century. It also addresses the international crises. First, the First Moroccan Crisis, its causes, German intervention and Algeciras conference. Second, the Bosnian Crisis and the struggle of Great Powers for domination in the Balkans, annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austro-Hungary, and Russian diplomatic loss. It also touches upon the rising ethnic nationalism in the Balkans, specifically Serbia. Third, the Second Moroccan Crisis, French ambition for greater control over Morocco, German and British military interventions, and diplomatic loss and humiliation of Germany, which further contributed to the German antagonism. Balkan Wars, Austro-Hungary's interests and creation of the new state of Albania.

This topic examines the causes of the World War I, the Schliffen Plan and reasons for the involvement of Germany, Russia, France, Great Britain into the conflict. We discuss the real reasons and interests of each state and participation of Italy, Romania and Bulgary in the war, with a special emphasis on Italy's alliance with the Entente powers. The lecture examines the entry of the USA into the World War I, Woodrow Wilson's address to the congress and abandonment of the isolationism policy by the USA. The lecture also addresses the reasons and conditions under which Russia withdrew from the World War I, the Brest-Litovsk Treaty and the struggle between Germany and Russia.