What Factors Led Britain to Declare War on Germany in August 1914?
What factors led Britain to declare war on Germany in August 1914?
On the 4th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany, on the side of France and Russia. There were many factors that contributed to the war; some commentators believed it was a stockpiling of issues that ultimately led to it. Initially it was Austria-Hungary who declared war on Serbia, on the 28th July, after receiving an unsatisfactory response from Serbia to the ultimatum they had issued her. This was triggered by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand- heir to the Austria-Hungary throne- on 28th June 1914. It instigated a remarkable sequence of events, between July and early August, described as an archetypal case of “one thing led to another”- also referred to as the treaty alliance system. The British Governments decision for war arrived 5 days later, on 4th August, and was based on many different factors and principles. These included, ensuring the maintenance of peace and the European balance of power, defending the neutrality and independence of Belgium and honouring Britain’s alliances. The German involvement in the war, as an ally of Austria-Hungary, played a large part in Britain’s involvement as she was concerned about the rise of Germany as a naval and economic power, in particular their threat of colonial ascendency. These factors will be discussed in more detail and expanded on throughout the essay.
For a period of time Britain claimed its’ foreign policy was that of splendid isolation, where she largely kept out of wars and endeavoured to refrain from European entanglements. Throughout the 19th century she only fought in three wars and appeared relatively successful at avoiding European affairs. Although later it would seem that many scenarios of isolation, for instance poor relations with the United States between 1895 and 1896 over Venezuela, were more an indication of Britain’s universal unpopularity than a deliberately chosen path. It was often the case that Britain reacted
On the 4th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany, on the side of France and Russia. There were many factors that contributed to the war; some commentators believed it was a stockpiling of issues that ultimately led to it. Initially it was Austria-Hungary who declared war on Serbia, on the 28th July, after receiving an unsatisfactory response from Serbia to the ultimatum they had issued her. This was triggered by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand- heir to the Austria-Hungary throne- on 28th June 1914. It instigated a remarkable sequence of events, between July and early August, described as an archetypal case of “one thing led to another”- also referred to as the treaty alliance system. The British Governments decision for war arrived 5 days later, on 4th August, and was based on many different factors and principles. These included, ensuring the maintenance of peace and the European balance of power, defending the neutrality and independence of Belgium and honouring Britain’s alliances. The German involvement in the war, as an ally of Austria-Hungary, played a large part in Britain’s involvement as she was concerned about the rise of Germany as a naval and economic power, in particular their threat of colonial ascendency. These factors will be discussed in more detail and expanded on throughout the essay.
For a period of time Britain claimed its’ foreign policy was that of splendid isolation, where she largely kept out of wars and endeavoured to refrain from European entanglements. Throughout the 19th century she only fought in three wars and appeared relatively successful at avoiding European affairs. Although later it would seem that many scenarios of isolation, for instance poor relations with the United States between 1895 and 1896 over Venezuela, were more an indication of Britain’s universal unpopularity than a deliberately chosen path. It was often the case that Britain reacted
Bibliography: (1) http://everything2.com/title/Britain+Entering+World+War+I http://www.historyonthenet.com/Chronology/timelinewwone.htm Richard Wilkinson: Germany, Britain & the Coming of War in 1914 Keith Wilson: British Foreign Policy 1900-1914 Stephen J. Lee: From splendid isolation to war