What Extent Is Germany to Blame for Ww1
2. To what extent was Germany to blame for starting WWI? After a massive war, it easy to see why a lot people would point fingers at the country that lost the war. However, is this always correct; or do people jump to conclusions much too quickly? By doing this, do they also create a whole new kind of trouble for themselves to come in later years? Some may suggest that it is more productive to look at the events leading up to the war to determine who was at fault. The blame attached to World War One (WWI) is not exclusively German, but may lie with the concepts of militarism, imperialism, nationalism, and alliances. Militarism played an immense part in the start of WWI and without it, there was a chance WWI would have never have lasted as long as it did. Militarism is when an entire country is in love with the idea of war. Soldiers were considered to be very god-like, and citizens only focused on the favorable aspects of war: serving one’s country, being honored, and having women fall all over them.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, both France’s and Germany’s armies had nearly doubled in size due to militarism. Germany was in competition with France to obtain Europe’s—some might even argue the world’s—largest army. Keeping a strong army was important to Germany because it helped to demonstrate to the rest of the world that they were a rising power. It also helped show other countries—who once wrote Germany off—that if they dared challenge them, they would pay dearly. In addition, Germany was also in competition with Great Britain. At the time Britain had the largest navy; something Germany envied. Once Britain started introducing their new battleships, named the Dreadnoughts, Germany followed suit. Soon afterwards they widened their canals, making it easier for battleships to pass through them. Great Britain, meanwhile, started setting up new naval bases in Scotland. Since Germany no longer had a small army and navy, France and Britain both felt
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, both France’s and Germany’s armies had nearly doubled in size due to militarism. Germany was in competition with France to obtain Europe’s—some might even argue the world’s—largest army. Keeping a strong army was important to Germany because it helped to demonstrate to the rest of the world that they were a rising power. It also helped show other countries—who once wrote Germany off—that if they dared challenge them, they would pay dearly. In addition, Germany was also in competition with Great Britain. At the time Britain had the largest navy; something Germany envied. Once Britain started introducing their new battleships, named the Dreadnoughts, Germany followed suit. Soon afterwards they widened their canals, making it easier for battleships to pass through them. Great Britain, meanwhile, started setting up new naval bases in Scotland. Since Germany no longer had a small army and navy, France and Britain both felt
Bibliography: [ (Militarism, 1979) ] Bloy, D. M. (2009, January 19). European History. Retrieved May 17, 2009, from A Web of English History: http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/causeww1.htm Duffy, M. (2001, November 4). The War to End All Wars. Retrieved May 16, 2009, from The First World War: http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/ententecordiale1904.htm First World War: Nationalism, Militarism, and Imperialism. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2009, from First World War: Nationalism, Militarism, and Imperialism: http://www.worldclass.net/toolbox/worldwar/upprim/fnmi.htm Militarism. (1979). Retrieved 5 13, 2009, from The Corner: http://www.thecorner.org/hist/wwi/military.htm The Great War Causes. (1996). Retrieved May 16, 2009, from IB History Pages: http://www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/projects/great_war/causes.htm World War One Causes. (2007, 10 3). Retrieved 5 13, 2009, from History on the Net: http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/causes.htm