Murray - WW1 causes notes

From KstructIB

CAUSES OF WW1 NOTES

Focus Question:

"To what extent can it be said that the first world war was caused by ...

• Nationalism?"
• Nationalist groups in balkans
• Black Hand
• Birth of Germany
• Will for war- propaganda/nationalism
• Russia wanted to regain prestige after loss to Japan.
• The Alliance System?"
• Alliances were dangerous because they increased suspicion.
• 1879 Germany and Austria/hungary formed the Dual Allaince
• 1882 Italy joined, triple alliance formed.
• 1904 Entente Cordialle: France and Britain.
• 1907 Russia joined: "Triple Entente"
• by 1914, Europe was divided into two armed camps.
• The Arms race?"
• 1900 Germany paced the Navy Law
• 1906 Britain built first Dreatnought
• Germany retaliated with "Rhineland"
• After about 1910 France, Germany and Russia raced each other to build up huge peacetime armies.
• By 1914, Britain had clearly won race: "29 to 17"
• Played a part in increasing fear and suspicion between the two countries.
• Increase in military spending
• European powers:300 % increase
• More destructive weapons.
• Mobilization plans of the great powers.
• Colonial/economic rivalry?"
• Germany had policy of becoming a world power (‘weltpolitik’).
• Wanted to become a serious economic threat to britain.
• Challenged French interests in morocco in 1905 and 1911, both occasions Britain stuck up for French and Germany had to back down.
• Produced friction
• Short term causes:
• Assasination of Arch Duke Ferdinand (heir to Austro-Hungarian throne) in Sarejevo on 28 June 1914.
• 23 July Austra-Hungary delivered ulitmatum to Serbia with a 48-hour time limit
• 26th July Austro-hungarian troops began to bombard belgrade.
• 30th July Russia declared a general mobilisation.
• 1st of August Germany began to excecute the Schlieffen plan.
• 2nd August Britain declared war on Germany, defending Belgian neutrality.

Historiography

1)The war was germany’s responsibility.

• Fischer, Geiss: Germany only wanted a war, prepared for it, and ultimately provoked it in 1914 in order to advance Germany’s position in the world.
• Link to Nationalism, economic rivalry.

2) Germany Risked war, but did not plan it.

• Ritter: Germanys main aim was to retain Austria-hungary as an ally and that Germany’s actions can be interpreted as defensive, not aggressive.
• Zechlin: Germany was ready to accept the risk of war, but had no desire to provoke it.

3) Everyone has some responsibility.

• Schroeder: War was the logical outcome of tensions leading up to 1914 and no individual country should be held responsible.
• Taylor: No one wanted war, but their freedom of action was limited by their existing war plans.
• Joll: The willingness on the part of the people and leaders of all nations to go to war.