Who is responsible for the outbreak of war in 1914 according to historians?

Question 1

Fritz Fischer

Answer 1

Germany.
He discovered a document written by Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg titled the “September program” which set out Germany’s aim for the domination of Europe. Argues that this is proof that the German high command always had expansionist aims and used the war to fulfill them.
This is supported by evidence from the German war council in 1912, where General von Moltke had said “In my opinion war is inevitable and the sooner the better”.

Question 2

S.B Fay & H.E Barnes

Answer 2

Claim that early in 1914 officers in the Serbian general staff plotted the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, with the secret support of Russia and France who wanted to manipulate the situation in the Balkans to provoke a European war.
The French Motivation behind the beginning of the war was the recapturing of Alsace-Lorraine, which could only be done through war. The French even had a plan called ‘Plan 17’ for this.
The Russian motivation behind the beginning of the war was the seizure of the Dardanelles Straights, and in fact in 1915 a secret treaty was made between Great Britain, France and Russia which promised the Russians that land.

Question 3

Norman Lowe

Answer 3

The tension that stemmed from the Naval race made Britain more willing to go to war in 1914.