1. What were Otto von Bismarck's aims in foreign policy following Germany's victory over France in 1871?
Otto von Bismark wanted to secure the German Empire after it's victory over France in 1871. To do this, he wanted European peace. Bismark wanted to try to isolate France and reduce friction between Austria-Hungary and Russia over the Balkans. He wanted to make the other Great Powers in Europe feel dependent on Germany so they wouldn't oppose them.
Also, Bismark wanted to have a good reputation, and wanted to be seen as a man of peace. In October 1873, after meetings with the German Kaiser, the Habsburg Emperor and the Tsar of Russia, The Three Emperors' League was made. This was an agreement for the countries to stand together and to reduce the risks of war arising from Austro-Russian differences.
2. Why did events between the years 1875-78 in the Balkans lead to a crisis between the Great Powers?
In general, the bigger countries want to support different people in the Balkans, and for this reason they end up opposing each other. Russia encouraged slav (Serbia) nationalism in balkans. Austria-Hungary was afraid that Russia would help the slavs if they were too heavily oppressed because it threatened the multi-ethnic Habsburg empire. Great Britain supported the Turks when Russia was supporting Serbia. This increased conflict between the Great Powers.
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