Pre-WWI & The Shifting Balance of Power

Background
By the late-19th century, the global BOP (Bounds of Power) was shifting & coming under strain Critical Events: a) The unification of Germany + Italy Changed the geography of Europe Changed the Military BOP b) The Berlin Conference Divided Africa into colonies of Euro-powers c) Rapid and Full industrialization of Japan Changed the political and military BOP (Bounds of Power) of the far east d) The opening of China Divided into spheres of influence and exclusive trade zones The Ottoman Empire and A-H were in serious decline economically and militarily which further disturbed the global system and BOP The US was a rapidly growing industrial power but engaged in hemispheric isolation in regards to European affairs Nationalist independence movements were growing in the Balkans and MidEast

The Haves FR and UK

UK- Main goals: - Naval Superiority - Prevent German naval growth - Maintain Global Colonies (Africa + Asia) - Status Quo - Splendid isolation towards mainland European conflict France Main Goals - Contain German Expansion/Power - Wanted alliances to contain Germany wanted ally with the UK or Russia (or both) - Wanted returns of Alsace Lorraine - Status quo in terms of Global Colonies

The Have Nots Japan, Italy, Germany

Germany Main Goals - Mitteleuropa control in central Europe - Colonies in Africa = access to resources and markets weltpolitik World Politics (Germanys global vision) - Large scale Navy - Bismark (Chancellor of Germany) System of Alliances and majority of Three Realpolitik The politics of Realism - No permanent friends only permanent interests Italy Main Goals - Control over the Adriatic Sea and Balkans - Colonies in Africa - Mediterranean influence /control - Powerful Allies Japan Main Goals - Expansion into Mainland Asia Manchuria, Korea, Mainland China - Dominance over Asia Region - Resources for Industrialization - Powerful navy + Access to Ports

The Corpses Ottomans, Austria Hungry

Ottoman Empire Main Goals - Prevent civil war/collapse - Regain lost territory in the Balkans, N.Africa - Prevent Russian Expansion into Black Sea and Caucasus Austria Hungary Main Goals - Prevent rise of Serbian nationalism and independence movement in Balkans - Maintain control over Balkans - Prevent independence movements and civil war with Austria Hungry - Powerful allies

The In-Between Great Power Russia

Russia Main goals - Greater control over Balkans - Black sea trade - Warm water parts - Prevent Isolation

Pan-Slavicism - Unity of Slavic orthodox peoples Prevent German expansion and Growth in E.Europe

Serbia Main Goals - Expansion and independence for a Greater Serbia Unity of southern Slavs Yugoslavia Pan-Slavism - Drive Austria Hungry out of the Balkans - Alliance with Russia