Part of The Student Room Group

  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

'Germany started the First World War

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

'Germany started the First World War.' Do you agree? In order to answer the complex question of whether Germany 'started' the First World War, many key factors and decisions have to be considered. At the end of the First World War, the Allied powers forced Germany to sign the War Guilt Clause, as they believed that 'the war (was) imposed on them by Germany and her allies.'1 It was the acceptance of the War Guilt Clause by the German authorities that has often led to the belief that Germany started the First World War. Other factors that have also added to these beliefs, is the evidence which suggests that Germany had intentionally planned attacks upon Russia and Germany's naval and imperial expansions which caused fear among the other European powers. However, there were many other factors that merged to create the environment, which led to the beginning of the First World War. These factors range from the economic, industrial, and military developments of other European powers, the Anglo-German arms race, the development of the Alliance system and the tensions and conflicts caused by Imperialism. The aim of this essay is to assess to what extent the start of the First World War could be attributed to the fault of Germany. ...read more.

Middle

The European powers believed in theory that the existence of alliances and treaties would maintain the balance of power. It was believed that alliances posed as a check upon the European powers, as the existence of an 'opposition of an equally formidable rival, or of a combination of several countries forming leagues of defence.' 8 However, in retrospect the existence of the alliance system is the main reason behind why many of the European powers became involved in the War. The alliance system led to introduction of two separate forces within Europe, which increased the hostility and fear within European foreign policy. In 1914, Germany believed that Austria-Hungry was their only dependable and trustworthy ally who had to be supported at all costs, which was an important motive for Germany's decision to join the War.9 Germany felt this feeling of external isolation due to a series of secret alliances, which had been made by the other European powers. In1902, Italy had signed a secret alliance with France, in which she declared her neutrality in the event of a Franco-German War. In addition to this, Britain also made ententes or sphere of influence agreements with France and Russia. ...read more.

Conclusion

a number as possible."14 The quick and glorious growth of the German naval fleet led to the fear of the British government, which pushed Britain closer towards the French and Russians. The situation between Germany and Britain was further aggravated by the rejection of all suggestions from Britain in terms of limited naval armaments.15 The situation between the two countries led to a more clear distinction between the European powers into two groups of the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. In conclusion, the question of whether Germany started the First World War can only be assessed after weighing up the importance of all the causes, which led to the War. Although, Germany played a significant part in the beginning of the Cold War, it can be argued that the First World War was a consequence of the all the factors added together. A true assessment of this question is summed up by Fischer, as he says that all the European powers bare the blame but "as Germany willed and coveted the Austro-Serbian war, and in her confidence in her military superiority, deliberately faced the risk of conflict with Russia and France, her leaders must bear a substantial share of the historical responsibility for the outbreak of general war. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level International History, 1945-1991 section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level International History, 1945-1991 essays

  1. To what extent were germany to blame for the outbreak of ww1

    In March 1909 Germany suggested that Russia acknowledge the annexation. Russia hesitated and Germany offered an ultimatum, knowing full well that Russia was not in the position to go to war over Bosnia and therefore Russia recognised the annexation. Germany was fully committed to Austria's policy in the Balkans.

  2. To What extent was German Foreign Policy responsible for the outbreak of general European ...

    As a precaution to this he eventually ordered general mobilisation. Russia would have preferred to remain out of war but it felt it had to make a stand; Krivoshein (Russia agricultural minister) stated that while war should be avoided if possible, Russia should now take a firmer stand.

  1. Why did tension increase in Europe between 1900 and 1914?

    General Petain, who took over command on the city, announced that the Germans 'would not pass'. The Somme * Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army on the Western front from 1915 to 1918, believed in the 'Big Push'.

  2. To What extent was the German Government responsible for the outbreak of the First ...

    This implies that Alliances were a contributory factor, but they couldn't unaided have caused war. One example is Italy who was committed to defend Germany and Austria-Hungary in a 'defensive' war; arguing that Germany's actions were 'offensive' they instead declared a policy of neutrality.

  1. Why did Britain become involved in a European War in 1914?

    Germany was particularly antagonised by this decision since it had been made without her consent or consultation. Britain, however, argued that the Entente with France was not made to deliberately antagonise Germany but that there were more predominant motives. The Russo-Japanese war was currently taking place in the Pacific, and

  2. Who is to be blamed for the outbreak of the First World War?

    Austria - Hungary wanted the preventive war to survive at all as a multi-national state. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo on 28th of June 1914 by a Serb nationalist Gawrilo Princip from "Black Hand" terrorist organization revived the Balkan question and enabled Austria-Hungary to reappear misleadingly as a Great Power.

  1. The First World War was the result of a badly mismanaged Balkan crisis in ...

    In 1908 the Liberal Government hoped to cut production but Germany had raised their production tempo to four dreadnoughts. Britain feared that by 1911 Germany would have 13 dreadnoughts to Britain's 12. The significance of this is that the Liberal Government agreed to build 8 dreadnoughts per year.

  2. The First World War

    This meant that the machine gun became a defensive weapon. The machine gun gave the defender a big advantage, especially when barbed wire was situated in front of a machine gun position because even if troops were to get close they would get stuck because of the barbed wire.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work