Lexi Webster
The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary at the start of World War I is commonly known as the blank check assurance. In July 1914, Germany offered Austria-Hungary unconditional support in the wake of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. This blank check sought military and political triumph in securing the Balkans and gave Austro-Hungarian leaders the confidence to embark on war against Serbia. The alliance between the two countries was formed in 1879, with Italy joining three years later to form the Triple Alliance. Germany's unification in 1871 dramatically altered the balance of power in Europe and strengthened further when the Triple Alliance was formed. This alliance system caused friction with other nations, particularly the Triple Entente of France, Britain, and Russia, which formed in 1907.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Alliance | 1879 |
| Type of Alliance | Defensive |
| Members | Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy (from 1882) |
| Reason | Common distrust of Russia |
| Promise | Support in case of attack by Russia |
| Promise | Neutrality in case of aggression by another power |
| Goal | Prevent isolation of Germany |
| Goal | Preserve peace |
| Result | Surprise to the rest of the world |
| Result | Austria-Hungary's dependence on Germany |
| Result | Austria-Hungary's loss of independence in military and foreign policy |
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What You'll Learn
Mutual defence against Russia
Germany's decision to side with Austria-Hungary against Russia was driven by a mutual defence pact and a complex web of geopolitical considerations. Here is an examination of the factors that led to this alignment during the onset of World War I.
Historical Context
The roots of this alliance can be traced back to the late 19th century when, in 1879, Germany and Austria-Hungary signed a secret alliance treaty. This treaty was renewable every five years and obligated both powers to come to each other's aid if attacked by Russia or a Russia-backed power. This treaty set the stage for the two countries' alignment against Russia in the early 20th century.
Balkan Nationalism and the Serbian Question
In the lead-up to World War I, Balkan nationalism emerged as a key factor influencing the actions of the Great Powers in the region, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Serbia's success in the Pig War and calls for a "Great Serbia" threatened the existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which viewed Serbia as a magnet for the South Slavs within its borders. Austria-Hungary sought to punish Serbia and quash Serbian nationalism, knowing that a conflict with Serbia would likely draw in Russia, which saw itself as Serbia's protector.
Mutual Defence Pact
The secret alliance treaty between Germany and Austria-Hungary was a critical factor in their mutual defence against Russia. Both countries recognised the threat posed by Russia and its allies. Germany, in particular, held several beliefs that influenced its decision to support Austria-Hungary:
- Preserving Austria-Hungary's Power: Germany believed that if Austria-Hungary did not act forcefully against Serbia, it would lose its status as a great power and a valuable German ally.
- Assessment of Russian Strength: Germany assessed that it was in a better military position to win a war in 1914 than in subsequent years when the Russian army would become stronger.
- Containment of France: Germany believed that Russia's ally, France, could be quickly defeated, and that Britain would remain neutral in a conflict between the Central Powers and the Entente.
Military Strategy
Germany's war plan, exemplified by the Schlieffen Plan, initially focused on attacking France first and then turning its attention to Russia. This strategy recognised Russia's military might and aimed to neutralise France quickly to avoid a two-front war. However, the plan miscarried, and by 1915, Germany's Austro-Hungarian allies were struggling, requiring the integration of German formations into their battle lines.
In conclusion, Germany's alignment with Austria-Hungary against Russia was a complex decision influenced by historical treaties, geopolitical considerations, and military strategies. The mutual defence pact between Germany and Austria-Hungary was a critical factor in their united front against Russia during World War I.
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Prevent German isolation
The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was formed in 1879, known as the Dual Alliance, and was a pact to prevent either nation from being isolated and to preserve peace. Both countries had a common interest in preventing an attack by Russia, and so the alliance was a defensive measure to ensure mutual support in the event of Russian aggression.
The formation of the German Empire in 1871 had made it the dominant power in Central Europe, and this caused tension with Austria-Hungary, which had previously been the leading power among the German states. The rise of a unified Germany was viewed with ambivalence in Vienna, with a mixture of admiration for Prussian militarism and unease at losing its hegemony in the German-speaking world. Despite this, the two nations shared a language and a similar culture, and so the alliance was a natural progression, especially given their common distrust of Russia.
Otto von Bismarck, the German Chancellor, wanted to portray Germany as a peacemaker and unifier, and the alliance with Austria-Hungary was a key part of this strategy. By allying with Austria-Hungary, Germany could present itself as a stabilising force in Europe, preventing isolation and maintaining the European status quo. This was especially important given that Austria-Hungary was a rival to Russia in the Balkans, and so the alliance could help to maintain a balance of power on the continent.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on 28 June 1914, was the catalyst for the First World War. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia backed the Serbs, and Germany, honouring its alliance, declared war on Russia. This brought France into the war on Russia's side, and so within weeks, Europe's largest powers were primed for conflict. The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was thus a significant factor in the outbreak of the First World War, as it created a network of alliances that drew many European nations into the conflict.
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Preserve peace
The alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was formed in 1879, known as the Dual Alliance, and was part of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's plan to preserve peace and prevent Germany's isolation. Germany had recently unified as a nation state, becoming the dominant power in Central Europe, and Bismarck wanted to portray his nation as a peacemaker and preserver of the European status quo.
The alliance was a defensive pact, with both powers promising mutual support in the event of an attack by Russia, and benevolent neutrality if either was attacked by another European power (generally assumed to be France). Bismarck believed that Russia would not wage war on both empires, and so the alliance would preserve peace. Indeed, the pact was successful in this regard until the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914.
The two nations shared cultural similarities, with a common language and, to an extent, admiration for each other's militarism and economic development. However, their relationship was complex and often driven apart, with Austria-Hungary's Habsburg rulers believing that Germany's promotion of nationalism would threaten their multinational empire. The two nations were also rivals, with Austria-Hungary losing confidence and hegemony in the German-speaking world after its defeat to the Prussians in 1866.
When World War 1 broke out, the alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was reduced to the slogan "Nibelung loyalty". The relationship was characterised by mutual mistrust, competing war aims, and a surprising lack of military-strategic cooperation. Despite this, the alliance held, with Germany declaring war on Russia when it backed Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
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Austria-Hungary's defeat in 1866
The Austrian-Prussian War of 1866, also known as the Seven Weeks' War, resulted in a decisive Prussian victory over the Austrian Empire, leading to significant political and territorial shifts in Europe. The war concluded with the Peace of Prague, which settled the "German question" in favour of a Lesser German Solution. This treaty led to the dissolution of the German Confederation, marking the end of Austria's position as the leading state of Germany and resulting in its exclusion from German affairs.
In the context of this defeat, Hungary, which had been under Austrian rule since the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849, saw an opportunity to regain its sovereignty and autonomy. The Hungarian Revolution, which sought to challenge the rule of the Habsburg Dynasty, was crushed by a joint Russo-Austrian army, with Hungary subsequently being placed under martial law and subjected to Austrian governmental control. However, the defeat in 1866 weakened Austria's position, and the Hungarians seized this chance to negotiate for greater independence.
The Austro-Prussian War had a significant impact on the balance of power in Europe. Prussia's victory was facilitated by its rapidly growing economy, bolstered by the German customs union, the Zollverein. In contrast, the Austrian economy was suffering from the after-effects of the Hungarian Revolution and the Second Italian War of Independence, leaving the state heavily indebted. The war ended relatively quickly, and the influence of economic and industrial power was reduced relative to political and military factors.
The defeat in 1866 forced the Austrian Empire to reconcile with Hungary to save its empire and dynasty. This reconciliation resulted in the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which established a dual monarchy and a military-diplomatic alliance between the two sovereign states. The Compromise restored Hungary's territorial integrity and its old historic constitution, ending the period of absolutist rule imposed by Emperor Franz Joseph. However, it is important to note that this Compromise was only agreed upon by a small part of Hungarian society, as suffrage was highly limited at the time.
The aftermath of the Austrian-Prussian War also set the stage for shifting alliances in Europe. Count Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust, the Austrian foreign minister, sought revenge for Austria's defeat and attempted to forge an anti-Prussian alliance with France and Italy, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Instead, in 1879, Austria-Hungary and the German Empire formed the Dual Alliance, a pact driven by their shared distrust of Russia, which had gained influence in the Balkans following the Russo-Turkish War. This alliance, later expanded to include Italy, became a surprising development, given the previous conflict between Austria-Hungary and Germany during the Austro-Prussian War.
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Austria-Hungary's dependence on Germany
Austria-Hungary, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy, or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of two sovereign states, the Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary, with a single monarch, who was both the Emperor of Austria and the King of Hungary.
However, the relationship between Austria-Hungary and Germany was complex. Despite sharing cultural similarities, they were often driven apart, particularly during the Austro-Prussian War. Additionally, the Habsburg rulers in Austria-Hungary believed that Germany's promotion of nationalism would threaten their multinational empire. Nonetheless, their shared distrust of Russia united them. After Russia's victory over the Ottoman Empire in 1878, Russia gained significant influence in the Balkans, which outraged Austria-Hungary as they were Russia's chief rival in the region.
During World War I, Austria-Hungary's dependence on Germany became more evident. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Germany supported them by declaring war on Russia, which had backed Serbia. This series of events triggered a broader conflict, bringing France into the war on Russia's side. While Italy was also part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, they initially remained neutral as their alliance was defensive in nature.
Furthermore, Austria-Hungary faced significant economic challenges during the war due to its dependence on agriculture, which suffered as a result of the war's demands on manpower. Germany provided substantial assistance to Austria-Hungary during this time, but it was not enough to prevent the eventual dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1918.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany and Austria-Hungary had a pact, the Austro-German Alliance, in which they promised to support each other in the event of an attack by Russia. This pact was formed in 1879 and was also known as the "blank check assurance".
In July 1914, Germany offered Austria-Hungary unconditional support in the wake of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. This "blank check" assurance gave Austro-Hungarian leaders the confidence to go to war against Serbia, which was a key cause of World War I.
No, the two nations had differing aims and were sometimes even rivals. Germany, a young nation-state, had little understanding or sympathy for the complex structures and problems of the multinational Habsburg Monarchy. Vienna and Berlin became closely associated following the Dual Alliance of 1879, but the Habsburg Monarchy was the junior partner.
