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→Foreign policy
The kaiser's dream of leading a continental league to one up Britain's King Edward had been sabotaged long before by Bismarck. As a result of Bismarck's annexation of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871, generations of Frenchmen were inculcated with anti-German feeling. For Bismarck, this was the point. French hostility would unite Germans under his leadership. A French-German-Russian alliance against Britain was proposed at the time of the Boer War in 1900, but failed when Wilhelm demanded that the French recognize Alsace-Lorraine as German.<ref>Röhl, p. 46.</ref>
The kaiser's dream of leading a continental league to one up Britain's King Edward had been sabotaged long before by Bismarck. As a result of Bismarck's annexation of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871, generations of Frenchmen were inculcated with anti-German feeling. For Bismarck, this was the point. French hostility would unite Germans under his leadership. A French-German-Russian alliance against Britain was proposed at the time of the Boer War in 1900, but failed when Wilhelm demanded that the French recognize Alsace-Lorraine as German.<ref>Röhl, p. 46.</ref>
Rising fear of Wilhelm's ambitions led to the formation of a "Triple Entente" between Britain, France and Russia in 1907. Following the Agadir Crisis of 1911, Germans came to the conclusion that naval buildup was a futile strategy and patriotic attention shifted to the army.
Rising fear of Wilhelm's ambitions led to the formation of a "Triple Entente" between Britain, France and Russia in 1907. After several years of freely bullying other powers, Germans were outrage at Anglo-French defiance during the Agadir Crisis of 1911. Patriotic attention shifted from the naval race with Britain to an army buildup.
Inspired by Britain's support during Agadir, the French regained confidence. The French army adopted a doctrine called cult of the offensive (''offensive à outrance''). In the event of war, a massive headlong thrust in Lorraine was planned.
Inspired by Britain's support during Agadir, the French regained confidence. The French army adopted a doctrine called cult of the offensive (''offensive à outrance''). In the event of war, a massive headlong thrust in Lorraine was planned.