Comparing Mombauer And Foley

Another vital aspect of this historical debate is criticisms of the source analysis and interpretation of the historians involved. Mombauer and Foley believe Zuber’s disregard for the diplomatic background of Schlieffen and Motlke’s contexts weakens his claim’s credibility. Since Zuber only focuses on the military aspects, he misses much political evolution that may have led to an idea like the Schlieffen Plan being born. However, both Mombauer and Foley are shown to have ulterior motives in their dismissal of Zuber’s thesis. Mombauer’s criticism of Zuber stems from her examination of the origins of WWI, and in this work she concentrates excessively on German policy as a cause of WWI, neglecting other countries’, notably France’s, actions.