Was Germany to blame for the First World War? (Controversy essay plan)

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Intro – widely debated. Not sure

if just German aggression meant for war or trying to break encirclement or even

if it were all powers (naval race, 1906 eg)

Point 1 – Aggression. Fischer’s claims of Germany pushing towards a

war. Ultimatum given to Serbia by Austria arguably Germany’s fault?

Blackbourne

(Social structures of German culture meant annexationist aims deeply engrained

so backs up Fischer’s ideas of aggression in all of Germany).

Schlieffen plan – option of fighting a war on two fronts with French and

Russians.

Rohl – devised a year and a

half prior so definite German aggression.

Fischer

– if had not been aggressive, then why was it devised during time of peace?

September Programme –Reizler. Germany’s aims set out included permanent

annexation of German buffer. Ferguson – aims stated doesn’t mean that they were

the same goals that had been before Britain entered the war in Aug 1914.

Ferguson – Fischer can’t just use

this one source as evidence for his argument – not enough evidence!!

1913 Army bill – increased army size to 170,000. Shows aggression because

why else would an army grow so much?

Point 2 – It wasn't aggression but trying to break the encirclement

Erdmann – fear

of encirclement. Wanted to break the triple entente but didn't want war.

Hildebrand, Hillgruber and Schollgen between 1909 and 1914 German policy focused on breaking

encirclement.

Blank Cheque – Bethmann Hollwegg had no other choice but to offer

unconditional support as Germany needed to maintain their ally during this

period of high tension.

Schlieffen plan was an act of

defence. Allies had been plotting against Germany.

Tirpitz – German fleet would be

more powerful than British. SO Germany had been rearming as a form of defence.

1905 Moroccan Crisis. Tried to break encirclement but ended up strengthening

it. Led to the Anglo-Russian convention of 1907 which discussed Britain’s fear

of German mobilisation and helped France gain allies to protect from Germany.

Point 3 – everyone is equally to blame

1906-14 Naval Race

and Flottenpolitik (began in 1898) with growing naval fleet so Germany

would be seen as a Great Power. Naval race between Britain and Germany with

Britain building the first Dreadnought in 1906. Massive German naval

expenditure.

Lloyd George

“all the powers slithered into the brink into the cauldron of boiling fire”.

Increased tensions too.

Count von Waldersee –

although German army increasing, other powers were also increasing.