Britain 1895-1918 June 2004

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HISTORY UNIT 2

BRITAIN 1895-1918 JUNE 2004

1a) The phrase ‘in consequence of any understanding with France’ refers to the Entente Cordiale. France and Britain reached a series of agreements in 1904 known as the Entente Cordial. The agreements settled their old disputes. (There were many conflicts between Britain and France in Africa, and in 1898 these conflicts nearly brought then to a war) The most important agreement was that France recognised Egypt and the Sudan as British sphere of influence and that Britain recognised Morocco as French sphere of influence, and in addition would support each other if their spheres of influence were challenged by a third power. This report was published by a well known and established newspaper at that time, ‘The Times’. This report in the newspaper was released on 1st August 1914, three days before Britain declared war on Germany.  It shows that the report is anti-war and anti – Russian, ‘we protest against any step………to support Russia’.

b) Source B is once again taken from ‘The Times’ however this source may be unreliable because it is ‘adapted from a letter from the member of the public’ therefore it shows the opinion of one person and doesn’t represent the attitudes of the whole country if Britain should go to war. The source portrays an anti-war and an anti-German/Russian feeling. Therefore in this sense it is not useful as it is a letter from a member of the public portraying his views however on the other hand to an extent it is true in saying that a ‘dominant Germany’ is a threat to Europe

c) Source A and B is anti war whereas source C is giving a warning to Germany that it will ‘give all protection in its power’ to France to defeat her. Source C is the only way which shows that anger not rivalry was severe that war seemed likely.  Source C is an adapted statement from Sir Edward Grey on the 3rd of August, on the same day when Germany attacks France, and comes through Belgium neutrality, and this angers Britain as they want Belgium to stay independent. Belgium do appeal for help and public opinion says that Britain should go to war to defend Belgium. Therefore this day was the final straw for Britain to take severe action against Germany.  This statement seems to be published hours before France was attacked therefore Germany heard this but still continued to attack.

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Source A and B don’t provide enough information to say if rivalry between Britain and Germany was severe, it only outlines the message of anti – war  and anti – Russian feelings. Both of these articles were published on 1st August, where public opinion was divided and conflict was on the verge of happening, Grey hoped to ‘mediate’ on that day in Berlin however Wilhelm II turned down the offer. This therefore in my opinion angered the British as they offered peace but they rejected it. Source B also shows the possible outcome if Germany became ‘victorious’. Therefore it does ...

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