Homework Question 10/19

My main questions after this reading were in regards to Germany.  Germany's war strategies don't really make sense, so why didn't they step back and re-evaluate, and develop a more intricate, strategic plan? Why did they insist on attacking the French when this had previously proved futile? Why did many of Germany's actions during the course of the war seem to further isolate them from the rest of the world, even their allies?

The Story of World War I

The position I most agree with would have to be that of revisionist historian Sidney Bradshaw Fay.  Although Germany did hold responsibility for the war to some extent, other European countries also share blame.  I agree with Fischer in the sense that although many nations seem to be at blame, Germany does hold a bit more blame than the other nations, but not to the extreme that Fischer argues; that Germany is largely responsible.  Germany was not the only nation that had a chance to avoid conflict that ultimately escalated.  Germany was prepared for a localized conflict with Austria-Hungary, but at the same time  realized that they were taking the risk of igniting a world war.  Austria-Hungary shares responsibility because of the retaliation they sought for the assassination of the Archduke.  Giving Serbia an ultimatum that Berchtold expected them to reject shows that Austria-Hungary was prepared to enter into a localized conflict with Serbia.  They believed that they could bring Germany into this conflict, and in the process neglected the risk of dragging the rest of Europe into war.  Germany did not have the original intent of igniting a world war, but was forced into it because of the alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.  Germany was not eager to be alone against the powers of France, who they had antagonized with the Agadir Crisis, or Russia, who was en route to strong military might.  However, Russia had a role in the Serbian-Hungarian conflict, as Russia pledged support for the Serbian cause.  Austria-Hungary was convinced that Russia would aid Serbia, and also at this time Russia building military might set Germany and Austria-Hungary on edge.  Ultimately, a Russian mobilization while Germany was trying to settle with AH was a major factor in edging Germany towards their own mobilization and war.  Although France and Great Britain were geographically distanced from this conflict, they still played an important role in the outbreak of war.  France supported Russia in their endeavors, and failed to check up on the secret military buildups.  Great Britain's Sir Edward Grey was in the position to severely affect the powerful alliances that grew.  If he had given Germany a strong warning that Great Britain would enter any conflict on the side of the Russia/France alliance, than perhaps Germany would have taken a much different approach to the tensions with AH.  If Grey had also warned France and Russian that GB would remain neutral, Russia might have hesitated in regards to mobilizing, and France would have taken a different approach perhaps to handling Russia.  Ultimately, it appears that no European nation specifically wanted a world war, as no country would appear to benefit politically, or economically.  However,  the blow up of localized conflict led to all European nations playing a role in the outbreak of the first war on a world scale.