olar balance of power is often taken as a verification of the realist view. But the importance of establishing spheres of influence in terms of economic and military security was what drove the two powers' conflict. They were establishing these spheres precisely because the interrelated nature of the global system was becoming apparent to all.
A2. Austria-Hungary served the unique function of providing a balance between Slavic and Germanic interests in Central Europe. When the Austrian emperor was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist this balance, which had been quite precarious anyway, was clearly revealed to be in the process of collapsing. The German nation, long engaged in trying to establish itself as a world power, was now faced with the probability of having to defend its perceived interests in eastern Europe against those of Slavic peoples, that is, against the Russians who would, the Germans believed, attempt to take advantage of the situation to gain control of the Balkans and more of eastern Europe.
France was Germany's principal rival on the Continent (Britain was sometimes considered a possible ally) and the conflict between Germany and France had been fairly constant since the Franco-Prussian war. The recent disputes in Morocco and continuing French animosity over the loss of the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany were two important instances of Germany's view of France as a major power with few good feelings about Germany. In addition, France had allied itself in a mutual defense agreement with Russia. Thus, the Germans concluded that by attacking France, which could mobilize much faster than Russia, they would be able to eliminate French opposition on the western front and turn to concentrate on fighting Russia for control of Central Europe. The Austrians could also provide some assistance in holding off the Russian advance while Germany quickly eliminated France from the equation.
A3. Joseph ...