Germany Responsible for World War I?
Germany was responsible for the outbreak of World War One'. How far do you agree?
World War one has become to be known as "The Great War". It was known as "The War to end all Wars". Many people believe Germany was responsible for the outbreak of war in 1914. To solely blame one country or one single act for the cause of World War One is wrong as there are more than one country involved and more than one event that caused World War One. Even if Germany was responsible for the war the other major powers should take some blame, as they did nothing to prevent the war but fuel it.
The origins of World War One go back to 1870 when France went to war with Prussia. Prussia was the states of Germany. After the war in 1871 Prussia had taken the France's provinces of Alsace and Lorraine and this victory for Prussia led to the German states being united as one whole Germany. The new united Germany leader Bismarck set out to create alliances to make Germany more powerful and in 1879 they made the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary, then in 1882 it became the Triple Alliance when Italy joined. 12 years later France approached Russia they agreed terms and the Alliance became known as the Franco-Russian Alliance, this alliance became the Triple Entente in 1907 when Britain turned to France to create an alliance. The European powers had now created a chain reaction ready to be set off. "If France is attacked by Germany, or by Italy supported by Germany, Russia shall employ all her available forces to attack Germany. If Russia is attacked by Germany, or by Austria supported by Germany, France shall employ all her available forces to fight Germany" said by the leaders of France at the Franco-Russian Convention.
The major powers of Europe were now divided into two powerful groups. Like Alex Woolf said in his book the Assassination in Sarajevo *"This Alliance system meant if there were a local war between two powers, this would set of a chain reaction leading to war involving
World War one has become to be known as "The Great War". It was known as "The War to end all Wars". Many people believe Germany was responsible for the outbreak of war in 1914. To solely blame one country or one single act for the cause of World War One is wrong as there are more than one country involved and more than one event that caused World War One. Even if Germany was responsible for the war the other major powers should take some blame, as they did nothing to prevent the war but fuel it.
The origins of World War One go back to 1870 when France went to war with Prussia. Prussia was the states of Germany. After the war in 1871 Prussia had taken the France's provinces of Alsace and Lorraine and this victory for Prussia led to the German states being united as one whole Germany. The new united Germany leader Bismarck set out to create alliances to make Germany more powerful and in 1879 they made the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary, then in 1882 it became the Triple Alliance when Italy joined. 12 years later France approached Russia they agreed terms and the Alliance became known as the Franco-Russian Alliance, this alliance became the Triple Entente in 1907 when Britain turned to France to create an alliance. The European powers had now created a chain reaction ready to be set off. "If France is attacked by Germany, or by Italy supported by Germany, Russia shall employ all her available forces to attack Germany. If Russia is attacked by Germany, or by Austria supported by Germany, France shall employ all her available forces to fight Germany" said by the leaders of France at the Franco-Russian Convention.
The major powers of Europe were now divided into two powerful groups. Like Alex Woolf said in his book the Assassination in Sarajevo *"This Alliance system meant if there were a local war between two powers, this would set of a chain reaction leading to war involving
Bibliography: § www.firstworldwar.com § Assassination In Sarajevo Written by Alex Woolf, 2004, Published by Hodder Wayland. § The First World War 1914-1918 Written by Vyvyen Brendon, 2000, Published by Hodder & Stoughton. § Handouts given in Class.