Section 2 - To What Extent was Germany Responsible for the Outbreak of World War One? Flashcards
Was the Treat of Versailles proof that Germany was responsible for the war?
‘War Guilt Clause’
However, post WW1, in reconciliation between France and Germany, war seen as a ‘Collective European Failure’.
↳European system of opposing alliances and competition over Empire and weapons caused countries to move towards conflict.
Arguments that Germany Was Responsible
Kaiser Wilhelm II’s leadership led Germany to pursue European hegemony (dominance).
Pre War, Germany’s foreign policy was aggressive and militaristic.
Germany planned to have a major European war to gain hegemony in Europe.
Antagonised great powers, causing conflicts with Britain, France and Russia.
Decisions made post Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand death.
Arguments that Germany wasn’t entirely responsible?
No evidence that Germany had a long term plan of aggression. It would be naive for a country not to prepare for war. Needed to defend itself against the Entente.
Other counties also cased conflict post War.
Entente caused tension.
Britain, Russia, France and Germany contributed to the build up of weapons post War.
Murder of Franz Ferdinand was not started by Germany nor was it the only power in July 1914 to make decisions that led to war.
Fischer Thesis (developed from 1961)?
Argues that in the years leading to war, Germany had a plan for European domination, leading to the pursuit of aggressive foreign policy, and ultimately war.
Weltpolitik (World Politics)?
Colonial expansion and a more dominant role within Europe and the World.
Built up military might, mainly through naval expansion and gained imperial possessions in Africa.
Wilhelm filled his government (and ministers) with people that shared this vision.
Weltpolitik was confrontational as it challenged European powers.
Nationalists viewed it as expansion into Eastern Europe.
The Schlieffen Plan, 1905?
Plan for a war of aggression as it entailed potential unprovoked German attacks on France and Belgium.
The War Council, 1912?
Potential future war with Russia addressed in a meeting between the Kaiser and military leaders.
Kaiser and Field Marshall von Moltke were agitated for war and armament developed.
September Programme, 1914?
Written by Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg, produced in early days of war outlining war aims.
Germany sought subordinate France, and far-reaching plans for expansion in Europe.
Annexation of territory within Germany’s ‘Sphere of Influence’.
What are the criticisms of the Fischer Thesis?
Schlieffen Plan - Plan for possibility of war on two fronts.
To much emphasis on war council meetings, which wasn’t attended by Bethmann Hollweg and had little action in response to the meeting.
The War Council meeting was a response to Britain declaring unconditional support for France if war develops. Encirclement rather than aggression
September Programme only written after war began.
Focuses to much on German actions and exaggerates German responsibility.
How did Germany antagonise Russia?
Bismarck sought peace with Russia - Reinsurance Treaty: No attacking each other.
1890 - Wilhelm II let this treaty lapse and sought closer relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
1908 Bosnian Crisis - Germanys support of the Austrians annexation of Bosnia antagonised Russia. The declining power of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans led to instability within the region. Austria had informal control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia was recognised as independent. Serbia regarded the Austrians as imperialists, meaning when in 1908 the Austrians formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina into the Austrian Empire, the serbs and their allies, Russia, were outraged.
1909 - Russia and its allies were forced to surrender to Austria under the threat of war against Serbia. Von Bülow’s government backed Austria, offering military support.
How did Germany antagonise France?
Germany’s involvement within France’s colonial problems in Morocco throughout the early 20th century increased the tension.
The First Moroccan Crisis, 1905-6
The Second Moroccan Crisis 1911
How did Germany antagonise Britain?
Germany supported the Boers during the Boer War 1899-1902. German naval expansion. The Second Naval Law (1900) increased the size of the German Navy to 38 battleships, and further expansion occurred in 1906,1908, 1912. The British introduced and new more manoeuvrable battle ship (the Dreadnought- 1906). Britain saw naval supremacy as crucial to British security and status and wanted to maintain the principle that the British navy should be at least equal to the combined size of the two next naval powers. Britain tried to reason with Germany in 1912, but to no avail.
What was the The First Moroccan Crisis, 1905-6?
Wilhelm II made a speech in Tangier, in Morocco demanding an international conference on Frances role within Morocco, which the French were advancing as a colony.
The Kaiser hoped to isolate France and protect German economic interests within Morocco. In the conference, all countries accepted French influence except for Austria-Hungary and Germany.
What was The Second Moroccan Crisis? 1911
Post French suppression of an anti-French uprising in Fez Morocco, Germany argued the French had exceeded their right within Morocco, and the Kaiser organised a gunship , ‘Panther’, to be moored off the Moroccan port of Agadir as a threat to France and an indication of support for the rebels. Britain and France regarded this as aggressive behaviour. Eventually Germany was given the right to control part of Congo in return for accepting French influence in Morocco.
What was the July Crisis and the ‘Blank Check’
July 5-6 1914 - Wilhelm and Hollweg gave their full support to Austrians in perusing a tough line against Serbia, backed by General Ludendorff and Hindenburg, even though there was no clear evidence that Serbia had been involved with the assassination.
Bethmann Hollweg urged Austria to take strong military actions against the Serbians, resulting in an ultimatum being given to Serbia. When one of the ten demands was not met, war was declared on Serbia.
Support for Austria in this local war did not necessarily mean Germany wanted a European war. However this was considered by Hollweg. Ludendorff and Hindenburg were also willing to create conflict with Russia to gain territory.
