To What extent was Germany Responsible for the outbreak of World War One?

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To What extent was Germany Responsible for the outbreak of World War One?

Kate Gilbert 13WY

The War Guilt clause has been called the ‘historical controversy par excellence’. At the end of the war article 231 explicitly placed the guilt for ‘all loss and damage’ of the war on the defeated Germany and her allies. This clause was bitterly denied by Germany and has been a subject of keen debate ever since.  The issuing of the ‘blank cheque’ to Austria in 1914, their strong “will to war”, the aggressive Schlieffen Plan, the arms race and vital miscalculations on behalf of the German leaders have all been cited as causes for WW1 that were solely Germany’s fault. In the face of this almost overwhelming evidence against Germany other factors that led to war must be examined in which Germany played little, or no, part. These consisted of the trouble in the Balkans, the growth of nationalism, the denial of self determination to minority groups, the alliance system, traditional imperial rivalries, secret diplomacy and the popular theories of Social Darwinism.

If the war guilt clause is to be believed Germany and her allies were totally responsible for war, planning and instigating a chain of events that lead to the crisis of July 1914, independent of any outside influence. This is certainly not true it and absolute proof that Germany was planning and instigating a war is extremely difficult to find. However, there is no shortage of information to suggest that if not planning war she was certainly discussing it as a serious possibility.  Franz Fischer has cited the war council of 1912 as clear evidence of German war planning and so justified article 231. However, the time span between this council and the outbreak of war means that this evidence is not conclusive. It was said at the time, ‘War the sooner the better,’ at face value this seems an obviously hostile statement, showing Germany’s desire for war. Closer examination suggests the origins of this statement lie more with fears of the shortcomings of their war plan, than with an overwhelming ‘will to war.’ The logical conclusion is not drawn from this quote, which would be ‘to present Russia or France with an ultimatum, which would unleash war with right on our side.2’ Germany definitely saw war as a way to escape her problems, following the example of Bismarck in 1871, but the war council in itself is not evidence enough to prove that they were planning on starting a war. It only reveals that they were prepared to take a huge risk on European safety to achieve their aims and due to their inadequate war plans (which relied upon Russia being ill prepared for war) needed to take that risk sooner rather than later.

It has been argued that the “sole cause for the outbreak of war in 1914 was the Schlieffen Plan3, because whilst other countries’ mobilisations were diplomatic the very nature of Germany’s meant war would be certain.

As early as the 1920’s when the acceptably held view was that of collective responsibility, Albertini was demonstrating that Germany held more responsibility for the outbreak of war than the other nations, his view supported by German’s risky declaration of support for Austria in July 1914. “The Kaiser authorised me to inform our gracious majesty that we might, in this case as in all others, rely upon Germany’s full support…it was the Kaiser’s opinion that this action must not be delayed…Russia was in no way prepared for war and would think twice before it appealed to arms…If we had really recognised the necessity of warlike action against Serbia, the Kaiser would regret if we did not make use of the present moment which is all in our favour”4. Germanys issuing of the “blank cheque” was to wage certain war, as Austria would almost certainly not have gone to war had it not been for Germany’s unconditional offer of support. Germany knew in 1914 that their declaration of support for Austria would lead to a war involving many countries due to the knock on effect caused by the alliance system. This made little difference to them, as a strong new nation they were eager to be seen on an equal footing with the great powers. Their need to repress voices of dissent at home and to finally achieve their long desired “place in the sun5” meant they saw war as a solution to their problems.  By pledging their support to Austria they set in motion a chain of events that led to war and without the blank cheque, may not have happened.

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Why was Germany so quick to offer this blank cheque? Her motives for promoting the start of WW1 were many and varied. One of the arguments held up in Germany’s defence was that in 1914 she was being encircled by the Triple Entente and had no choice but to break out of it to protect her independence. This enciclement did exist and was not kindly disposed towards Germany but it was also entirely of Germany’s making. The origins this encirclement lie with Wilhelm II.  His decision to reject the Reinsurance treaty of 1890 on the basis that he could ...

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