What Is the Reinsurance Treaty?

Reinsurance treaty: Bismarck isolated France, courting Russia, a secret treaty signed with Russia on June 18, 1887. Because the German-Austrian Alliance had guaranteed Austria s neutrality in the German-French war in 1879, and this treaty guaranteed Russia s neutrality, Germany was thus given double insurance, hence the name. The treaty states that if one of the contracting states is at war with a third country (except France and Austro-Hungarian Empire), the other party should maintain good faith neutrality, and Germany recognizes the legitimacy of Russia's dominance in Bulgaria and East Rumeria. The two sides agreed to maintain the status quo in the Balkans and reaffirmed the principle that had been agreed in 1881, that Russia and Germany jointly exerted pressure on the Ottoman Empire, which had become a semi-colonial power, and that foreign warships were not allowed to enter the Bosphorus and Dadani. Strait.

Reinsurance treaty

ReinsuranceTreaty: German Prime Minister O.von Bismarck isolated France and courted Russia, a secret treaty signed with Russia on June 18, 1887. Since 1879

On June 18, 1887, Russia and Germany signed a new covenant under the condition that the neutrality clause involved the attack by the parties to France and Austria, that is, the "Re

The "Reinsurance Treaty" and the "Mediterranean Agreement" caused the mutual restraint between Britain, Austria, Italy, France, and Russia in the Near East and the Mediterranean. At the same time, it blocked the combination of France and Russia and ensured Germany's dominant position in continental Europe. However, Bismarck's system contains great complexity and contradictions, and the equilibrium situation it promotes in favor of Germany is inherently fragile. Therefore, his diplomacy is ultimately only an expedient measure to delay the issue. As a master of real politics, Bismarck brought the art of diplomacy to the extreme. Real politics contributed to the unification and consolidation of Germany. Bismarck's fascination with real politics eventually made the reunified Germany self-serving. Although with the reunification of Germany, Bismarck has changed from a disruptor of the status quo to a defender of the status quo, but the situation is not what it used to be. Under the impact of the wave of nationalism, the principle of unity of monarchs he advocated has lost its sustaining power. The naked pursuit of power has become a basic means for countries to safeguard their own security and interests, and international relations have added new factors of instability. "Katokov's attack" is an ironic tribute to Bismarck. In Bismarck's time, the relations between European powers became increasingly rigid and tense. The reunification of Germany caused China and Europe to lose their buffering role in history. The struggle for hegemony, providing space for alertness and compensation, has completely changed the structure of European power. The looseness of the relations between the great powers on which balance of power diplomacy operates is disappearing, marking the conclusion of the German-Austrian alliance in 1879. In fact, Germany It is already difficult to make other choices. The Bismarck alliance is an instinctual reflection of this change, which in turn has consolidated and strengthened this trend. Tensions in major powers are the reason for the establishment of the Bismarck alliance and the need to maintain it Conditions. Bismarck's diplomatic style epitomizes the combination of conceit and anxiety. ^[1]

In order to prevent the unity of hostile forces, to establish Germany's unshakable leadership in the European continent, it is necessary to maintain moderate tension in relations between the major powers. If relations between the allies are tense, he encourages cooperation, and once they live in harmony, he withdraws support and creates friction. However, Bismarck's strategy might win for Germany's allies, but it also often made Germany lose friends. ^[1]

At the time, Germany was, in essence, a country in the status quo. For the rising Germany, the notoriety of dishonesty may be more dangerous than belligerence. The confidence and trust of European countries in German policy is a prerequisite for maintaining German diplomatic status. Bismarck's strategy often has the opposite effect. As the situation in Europe becomes more tense, a hostile, skeptical and insecure international environment is beginning to emerge. What started with rigid relations with the great powers was that German policy gradually lost its balance and flexibility. In October 1886, Bismarck had hinted in his letter to his son that once Russia and Austria started war, no matter who was the offensive side, Germany had no choice but to stand on the side of Austria-Hungary and fight. 24 When Bismarck was on the stage, he could still rely on his high diplomatic skills and high prestige to offset the negative consequences of his policies. After him, no one succeeded. Bismarck resigned in 1890, and the new German authorities abandoned the Reinsurance Treaty. Four years later, France and Russia formed an alliance, and Bismarck's European order collapsed. ^[1]