...It’s debatable whether Germany was primarily responsible for the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914. The argument most commonly raised by historians is that Germany hold the most responsibility for the outbreak as they alone had the power to withdraw its “blank cheque” which offered unconditional support to Austria should they choose to invade Serbia. As Fritz Fischer and many other historians believe that Germany favoured a war as they were keen to showcase their strength as a nation and become the number one world power, evidence of this is shown by their aggressive foreign policy Kaiser Wilhelm II enforced in the years leading up to the war. The Fischer thesis also supports this view. However there were also other events in the build up to the war that were out of Germany’s hands...
Words: 1787 - Pages: 8
...start of World War One. One could say that it was Germany alone that was responsible for the beginning of the war, but one could also argue that Germany was only partially responsible, and that there are other countries to blame as well. In this essay I will be discussing whether Germany was solely responsible for the outbreak of the war or if there were other factors that we should take into account. Firstly I will be talking about why the war started in the first place, or at least why it is said to have started. Most people believe that it was the assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand that really pushed Austria-Hungary off the edge. After the failed ultimatum, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. As Serbia was allied with Russia, Russia joined in on the war. But because of the triple-Entente, France and England had to join in as well. Germany was also pulled in as they had promised to back up Austria. Because of all this, I think that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was what really started the war....
Words: 493 - Pages: 2
...World War I began July 28, 1914, after years of escalation towards a global war. It was known as the war to end all wars. What was intended to be a short war became a world wide conflict. On one side there was the triple entente, consisting of Russia, France, and Great Britain. On the other was Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy. The other countries involved, including the United States and the Ottoman Empire were not on a side. There were many reasons the war occurred and historians still do not agree on each cause. Amounting World War I to one sole cause would be unjust and impossible. While Germany was forced to pay reparations after the war ended, and Germany did play a role in starting the war, there are a number of other causes which...
Words: 653 - Pages: 3
...23, 2014 Events Precipitating World War Two The subject of war has always been a touchy one. War, and all of its unpleasant components- death, fighting, and destruction- are never suitable for an agreeable discussion. Acts of war are invariably followed by suffering, which is exactly what Europe was doing in 1918 and the following years. The burden of World War I was so oppressive that it left Europe, in its entirety, in ruins. The countless efforts to ease the strain generated by the war had ultimately failed, sending Europe into a perpetual state of angst. The downfall of post World War I Europe gave way for World War II- a disaster that changed the global spectrum with enough significance...
Words: 1700 - Pages: 7
...Was the Treaty of Versailles Responsible for World War II? I don't think that the Treaty of Versailles was responsible for World War II. The treaty did cause some disruptions, but I don't think that it was the singular cause of the war. It left Germany with nothing, and Hitler promised the Germans that everything would get better. The treaty definitely lead to a rise in fascism, and I think that allowed Hitler to start “rebuilding” Germany. There were a lot of flaws, and not everyone was happy with the treaty, but the ideal was to bring peace to the countries. It was hard to satisfy everyone, so the Treaty of Versailles was made to at least stop the fighting. Germany was treated unfairly and was blamed for the war, but the treaty didn’t cause...
Words: 362 - Pages: 2
...dominance before World War I was gathered by evaluating backgrounds of authors and the reliability of their information. From gathering a variety of evidence of different perspectives, the extent of data was able to confirm the validity of my research question: How did German nationalism lead to World War I? The levity of German dominance before World War I had influenced the continuous opinion of most authors. On the other hand, those who disagreed with the statement were unable to be fully convinced of a more drastic situation. The impact of extreme nationalist efforts, threatening neighboring territories, and Kaiser Wilhelm’s reign had sparked the beginning of World War I. Sources selected to support the thesis were analyzed to the reputation of the website and the author. Identifying the origin...
Words: 1802 - Pages: 8
...leading up to the second World War saw the rise of a new political ideology: fascism. In the aftermath of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles had forced Germany into accepting the blame for the conflict and left the nation responsible for paying reparations. Furthermore Germany was subject to humiliating limitations on their economy and military. These two conditions are primary reasons for the escalation of war in 1939. Fascism, as defined by Mussolini, is a state centered political ideology that celebrates war and rejects any notion of world peace or pacifism. Under such regimes, personal freedoms are sacrificed as members of the state are expected to live solely to benefit the state itself.[1] To what degree is fascism responsible for the second World War? Considering that fascism by nature perpetuates conflict, it is a great deal responsible for the war. The Axis powers, those whom history has come to a consensus as the aggressors, resorted to revolutionary autocratic systems of government likely to try and create some form of economic stability in their nations. Fascism used nationalism and racism to attempt to create unified homogeneous societies and it was successful, particularly in Nazi Germany with the use of pseudoscience and propaganda. In Germany, it was Hitler who would seize power and institute a fascist government, the Nazi party. Different opinions exist on the way in which Hitler carried out orders under his rule. Some would say he was a plotter, that he schemed...
Words: 536 - Pages: 3
...very end of WWI (World War I), the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Once this was done it made Germany take the fall for the initiation of the World War I. That was apart of the “War Guilt Claus” and Germany was also held responsible for all the material costs in damages. Germany was made to pay a debt for which they were not responsible. Germany was also taken over by the government having control over their rivers, and railroads and canals were to be built on German property and used at the discretion of foreign establishments. Under these provisions, Germany was bound to be in debt. The government basically took control over all of their funding, and their ways of making money. Their economic state was in danger. Germany’s View In Germany's view, how would the country have been treated differently if the principles they attribute to President Wilson had been applied? The League of Nations was a group of people who wanted nothing but peace amongst the people of every state. President Wilson was apart of the League of Nations and he was the only one who tried to keep the peace, but he also wanted everyone to take blame for their actions (for war, and other mishaps) and he wanted everyone to move past it. In the end, Germany still received all the blame. Since the League of Nations was meant to be like a peace treaty, it was odd that Germany was not included in this agreement. Germany was never formally invited to join the League of Nations. The President was afraid that this...
Words: 617 - Pages: 3
...The Great World History Debate: “Were German Militarism and Diplomacy Responsible for World War I?” Name Course Date The World War I, among other significant historical events, is the most deliberated event of the 20th century. Indeed, it is accredited to changing the course of the world's history giving it a new dimension to ponder on for the next centuries. Rise of communism, one of the world's most controversial ideologies, was linked to the catastrophic episode. Nonetheless, powerful empires like Austria, Turkey, Russia and Germany saw their rise and fall in communism. In addition, the war resulted to the most number of deaths and annihilation compared to other cataclysmic events in history. In the light of these horrendous outcomes, an undying curiosity arose among renowned historians and researchers in search for answers as to who was the protagonist of the war. The underlying question has been whether Germany was solely responsible for World War I given their military strength and diplomatic prowess. Notorious Professor V.R. Berghahn and Professor Samuel R. Williamson clash in a battle of wit in attempts to shed clear lights on Germany as the cause of World War I. Professor V.R. Berghahn believes that there is great depth of literature that evidences the role of Germany in the heinous unfolding. These evidences, both military and diplomatic certify the German empire as the main protagonist of the First World War (1914-1918). On the other hand, Professor Samuel R...
Words: 1467 - Pages: 6
...Which nation was most responsible for the naval race, Great Britain or Germany? The naval race between Great Britain and Germany was a controversial event before World War I. Then men and women of the past, and of todays modern society, has questioned who was rather more responsible for the naval race, Great Britain, or Germany. While some would say Germany was the most responsible for the naval race due to the fact Germany sent a telegram to the Boer’s congratulating them, and Germany’s actions of doubling the size of its navy, the reality is that Great Britain was the most responsible for the naval race because of her threat to Germany, as well as starting the Boer War. The primary reason why Great Britain was the most responsible for the naval race was because Great Britain threatened Germany to block off German trade. After the Boer War, Germany sympathized with them, primarily because of the Dutch descent, and sent a telegram to the Boers. Great Britain became furious. In respondance, Great Britain sent a message threatening to block Germany’s trade, using its massive Navy (larger than France and Germany's Navy’s combined). Due to Great Britain's threat, it caused Germany to create a larger navy, double its size, using a method called the German Fleet Acts. Another reason why Great Britain was the most responsible for the naval race, was because of their cause of the Boer War. Great Britain wanted resources to make goods. It was so important to...
Words: 537 - Pages: 3
...After the First World War ended a lot of people started to blame Germany for the outbreak of the war. The proof of that would be the Treaty of Versaille that ended the first world war. Germany was faced harsh terms and literally blamed for the the damage, as it mentioned in the article 231 of the treaty. It states: The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies." However some historians have put forward the idea that the blame for the "Great War" is not only on Germany. Germany was...
Words: 1035 - Pages: 5
...between 1934 and 1945, one might ask what could be responsible for that amount of devastation. The answer, however, is quite simple. One man is the leading cause of all those lives lost: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Regime. Germany was in an exceedingly unpleasant state after the loss of World War I. The Treaty of Versailles had forced them to take full blame for the war, and with it came an overwhelming amount of debt. The French wanted to dismember Germany to make it impossible for them to renew war with France. The loss of World War I was still sharp on many minds, and the economic depression was in full effect. The Weimar Republic was Germany’s new form of government that replaced the German Empire....
Words: 725 - Pages: 3
...Tanja Jahn Professor McBride ENG 090 05 April 2011 Democratization Processes in Post-War Germany Germany’s first attempt at democracy occurred under the government of the Weimar Republic. It was unsuccessful for several reasons; it was forced under uncertain defeat, and the population had little faith in democracy. Democratization after World War II was a completely different scenario, and it flourished due to international support and the willingness of the German people to assimilate to a democratic government. The Treaty of Versailles negotiated the terms of defeat for Germany after the First World War. The Weimar Republic, established in 1919, was a democratic government with parliamentary and federal systems. Frank Wilson indicates that the Weimar Republic looked great on paper and appeared to contain important features for democracy to succeed. For example, the constitution offered extensive rights and universal suffrage (128). “However, in practice the Weimar Republic was a failure. Reparation costs placed on Germany by the Versailles Treaty were astronomical” (Goldman 1). These demands were designed to punish them, and blame was placed entirely on Germany for causing the war. In additions to reparations, Germany had to concede much of its territory. Inflation further disabled the economy. Democracy was thus viewed as being detrimental to economic growth. The constitution also had its weaknesses. “First, it...
Words: 1088 - Pages: 5
...In 1914, the first World War broke out, and lasted until 1918. Prior to the war, an abundance of changes were happening in Europe. Many of these changes increased tensions among the countries in Europe, which was arguably one of the main causes of the war. Another large part of why the war started was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He was assassinated by a Serbian man, which caused Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to make Serbia pay for the death. When Serbia rejected the ultimatum, Austria declared war. WW1 is also referred to as the Great War. This poses the question, What were the effects of this great war? The war affected citizens of the world in many different social, economic, and political ways. The war took over people's lives. Because WW1 was a total war, countries devoted all of their energy and resources to the war. By the end of the war, “Europe had lost more men in battle than in all of the wars of the previous three centuries.” (Book p.419). The Great War had cost many people their loved ones, and had taken over their lives. In an excerpt from All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque describes the feelings that the war brought, “I am young, I am twenty...
Words: 635 - Pages: 3
...Cause of World War One World War I began on July 28, 1914, and was fought between two sides. The Triple Alliance, which was Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy; against the Triple Ententes, which was Britain, France, and Russia. The war was fought for a total of four years, three months, and two weeks, and ended on November 11, 1918. Before the war took place, other wars such as the Crimean War, the Franco-Prussian War, and the Russo-Japanese War were going on. The four main causes of World War I were militarism, a strong pride in your military; alliances, the formal agreement of cooperation between countries; imperialism, the expansion of land through force or diplomacy; and nationalism, the pride and loyalty to one’s nation. The formation...
Words: 1068 - Pages: 5
