To what extend was Germany responsible for the outbreak of war in 1914 Germany and her allies were

blamed as the prime aggressors to the outbreak of war in 1914 according to the 'war guilt clause' imposed by the victors in the Treaty of Versailles. But as time has progressed and more sources and information concerning the buildup to the war in 1914 surfaced, there was an increasing acceptance that the outbreak of the war could not be blamed exclusively on one country. The war in 1914 was caused by a variety of direct and indirect causes not all concerning Germany. The concepts of Nationalism, Imperialism and Militarism, the complex Alliance system and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand all contributed to the buildup of tension between European countries that made war was inevitable. Germany willed and coveted Austria-Hungary into dishing an ultimatum to Serbia in such strong terms that acceptance would be impossible. But it was Germany who encouraged Austria to frame an intolerable ultimatum. Germany initiated the alliance system and its imperialst endevours headed by its sefl glorifying Kaiser wilemn 2. By doing this she ran a conscious risk of conflict with France and Russia and was naive to think Britain would not involve themselves in a general European War. Because of this Germany's leaders must bear a substantial share of the historical responsibility for the outbreak of general war in 1914. One major cause for the outbreak of war in 1914 can be accounted on a complex system of alliances between the major powers of Europe. In a world governed by 5 main powers, Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary, the German chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, realized it would be in Germanys best interest to be in a group of three. Bismarck initiated the alliance system by signing the Dual Alliance in 1879 with Austria-Hungary to protect itself from a Russian attack, this decision was based on the hostilities Germany felt from Russia after their diplomatic defeat at the Congress of Berlin. Austria-Hungary and Germany then signed an alliance with Italy to stop her from taking sides with Russia, thus creating the Triple Alliance in 1882. Russia then in retaliation to the alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1894 to protect herself if conflict were to arise between her and the Triple Alliance. France and Britain then came to terms and signed the Entente Cordiale, ending almost a millennium of conflict between the two nations concerning colonial expansion. Britain again signed the Anglo-Russian Entente in 1907 between themselves and Russia to solidify boundaries identifying control over areas throughout Central Asia, it also served as a political alliance in fear of the growing strength and influence of Germany. The three powers, Britain, Russia and France then agreed to sign the Triple Entente in 1907, an agreement made to formally counter the increasing threat from Germany. It was because of these alliances that each power was compelled to partake in the war based on their obligation to support their allies. First Austria declared war on Serbia, Germany noticed Russia mobilizing her army and assumed they were going to war, Germany then declared war on Russia, France were then drawn into the war because of the Triple Entente, as Germany attacked France through Belgium, Britain was drawn into the war, because of Germanys disregard of Belgium neutraliy. Another more direct cause that led to the outbreak of war in 1914 was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, by a Serbian assassin. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian rebel group Black Hand, dedicated to Serbian freedom from Austrian and Turkish rule, assassinated the Archduke and his wife. The murder cause widespread shock abroad, Austria, enraged by the murder sought action against Serbia. But Austria knew any action against Serbia bring Russian intervention, so they needed full support from Germany. It was from this enquiry from Austria, that Germany offered what is known as the blank cheque, symbolizing Germanys full, unconditional support in the case of war erupting from Austria actions in retaliation to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. After receiving support from the Germans, Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia, encouraged by Germany to be framed in such strong terms that acceptance would be impossible. Germany encouraged this, knowing that the outcome could result in war, because of her confidence in her military superiority if war was necessary. Germanys

encouragement and will to Austria to send a ultimatum with the desired outcome of rejection and therefore war gives Germany substantial fault in leading to the outbreak of war in 1914. The eruption of war in 1914 came about through built up tension between the European powers from events up to 20 years prior to the war. With Germany and Italy recently becoming united nations, they felt they needed to make their presence known on the world stage, and at the time, this was done through expanding your empire and attaining material wealth. Germany came late on the imperialism stage, most of the useful areas of the world have been taken and Germany had to settle for the leftovers. Germany caused tension between themselves, Britain and France by attempting to obtain land previously owned by these countries. An example of this was the two Moroccan crisis where Germany fought for Moroccan independence from France, hoping Britain would take their side, in hope of damaging relations between Britain and France, instead the ordeal created tension between Germany and France and Britain and strengthened ties between them as Britain supported France, and Germany was forced to back down for parts of the Congo. The concepts of militarism and nationalism also played a role in the lead up to war. As the world entered the 20th century, an arms race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the greatest increase in military buildup. Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period. Further, in Germany and Russia particularly, the military establishment began to have a greater influence on public policy. This increase in militarism helped push the countries involved to war. The armies of both France and Germany had more than doubled between 1870 and 1914. Germany began to feel superior to the other nations because of their military power, this gave them the inclination to chance their arm when it came to possible war. Germanys large increase in military power led to their sense of extreme nationalism. In this way, nationalism led directly to the War. But in a more general way, the nationalism of the various countries throughout Europe contributed not only to the beginning but the extension of the war in Europe. With each country trying to prove their dominance and power and with the confidence they had in their armies, in conflict, neither party would back down, increasing the possibility of war escalating from any issue. Germany is seen as the primary aggressor to the outbreak of war in 1914 because of their various efforts in causing tension between the powers of Europe, initiating the alliance system which caused the spread of war throughout Europe, their encouragement of an intolerable ultimatum which became the main cause of war. Germany and her leaders ran a conscious risk when backing Austria in their fight against Serbia and their invasion into Belgium caused British intervention leading to a complete general European war.

Assess the importance of imperialism as a cause for the outbreak of WW1 Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories under their control. Before World War 1, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention amongst the European countries because of the raw materials these areas could provide. European countries such as Britain, France and Germany felt they needed foreign markets to satisfy the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution. These countries competed for economic expansion in Africa. Although Britain and France resolved their differences in Africa, several crises foreshadowing the war involved the clash of Germany against Britain and France in North Africa. In the Middle East, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was alluring to Austria-Hungary, the Balkans and Russia. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I. Imperialism was an indirect yet major cause to the outbreak of war in 1914. With countries trying to satisfy the demand for manufacturing materials caused by the Industrial revolution, many thought it

was necessary to use a foreign market. Britain and France competed for years over territorial rights of countries in Africa and Asia, but the two managed to settle their disagreements but with Germanys late unification in 1871, they sought to make a name for themselves on the world stage. Germany now wanted to expand their empire, but with most of the valuable land already maintained by another power, Germany was forced to settle for what was left. Tensions were caused by German imperialism when they tried to force their hand in and Morocco. Germany fought for Moroccan independence in 1905 and 1911 in the Moroccan crises. Germany did this to try and gain areas of the Congo, this altercation nearly led to war but Germany backed down on both occasions. But the feelings between Germany france and Britain soured and much the same was occurring in the Balkans with Russia Austria hungarys Imperialism played a vital role as a cause to the war because it was a source of tension between the powers of Europe during the lead up to the war and gave countries the belief that they were stronger than the others which lead them to not back down from confrontations and escalated minor issue. Italy and Germany trying to establish themselves as world powers (nationalist feeling) Stimulated arms race France signed alliance in hate of Germany stemmed from franco-prussian war, Prussia won Alsace and Loraine which was rich in coal and iron. Cultural reasons kudyard kipling white mans burden Militarism and nationalism played a role in the confidence of imperialism, one example the german panther sighted in morocco. Led to alliance systems but alliances also caused the war.