I'm gonna be Realpolitik with you. So after using three blitzkriegs against Denmark, Austria and France as motivators, I got the Germans together and created this Empire. It's German. I know, it's 1871, about time that Holy Roman thing was over, I mean, no one really understood what it even meant. A German Empire is more concrete, it has a nice nationalistic flavor to it, and I'm Chancellor.
Anyhow. I want to use the Russians and the Austro-Hungarians to protect myself from other baddies, mainly France, because they probably won't be happy with me taking Alsace and Lorraine. Thing is, I predict that I'll have to screw over some of them, probably the Russians if they ever become to big in the Balkans to be a threat to the Austro-Hungarians.
Anyhow, it's too complex to explain in so many words. The idea is to secure German supremacy in Europe under the guise of balance of power and maintaining peace between the big players in the international stage, and domestically, introducing a lovely welfare State so people are happy and get payed if they're sick and such cute things. I'm gonna do all of this with the help of my faithful, governable Kaiser, Wilhelm.
Here's what I'm afraid of. Wait, what? You think I'm afraid of my faux alliances causing trouble? Nah. I'm afraid that this entire system is so delicate and complex, I'm the only one who can manage it, wink wink. But what happens if, say, another Kaiser comes along, one that doesn't really like me all that much (I'm looking at you little Wilhelm) and fires me?
So what do you folks think? I'm doing great, aren't I? Everything's gonna end up great, it always does with Realpolitik, when you care little to nothing about long term consequences of current decisions. I just have to avoid getting fired.
Look, ya' Kraut bastard, to be honest you sound like quite the asshole, but I'm a warrior. The glory of combat is my goddamn destiny. Can't happen without some bastard like yourself ensuring things move along, so I can't really hold that shit against you, now can I?
NTA
YTA: Yikes is all I can say. Sounds like something fit for MaliciousCompliance.
NTA, I mean two world wars were gonna happen eventually anyways. Besides, who hasn't contributed to international alliances these days!?
NTA, I feel like you're being realistic with your goals. As long as you don't have any more territorial aspirations I'd say you're good. Watch out for future leaders who are looking to bite off a little more than they can chew though, you might want to clean up those relations a little so all your pretty empire building isn't for not.
NTA Germany will be either a hammer or an anvil in the coming years, and if it takes a little continental warfare to solidify your position as a hammer, who could blame you? Any breakdown in relationships should be settled as quickly as that little skirmish with France was anyways.
NTA, you're overthinking things way too much.
ESH. I don't blame you for trying, but if you haven't betrayed your faux ally yet you're not doing it right. Half the fun is in chasing them around the country at the point of a bayonet anyways.