Bismarck’s Foreign Policy: The 1875 War Scare

• France completed its reparation payments to Germany


  1873
• France completed reparation payments

  Alarmed Bismarck and led to France's reorganisation of its military
• Bismarck's actions


  1. Provoked a diplomatic crisis by banning the export of horses to France

  2. Wrote an article, 'Is War in Sight?'
• Bismarck's actions

  Britain & Russia sided with France
• Bismarck realised the wars of unification had alarmed the other Great Powers


  He presented Germany as a satiated power to maintain positive diplomatic relations with Russia, Austria & Britain
• Presenting Germany as a satiated power

  Prevented France, determined to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine, from forming an anti-German alliance & jeopardise German territorial unity