German Aggression in World War One
The World War started in a somewhat confusing manner. The origin of the war is
somewhat controversial even after all the years that have passed a lot of people are still confused about the way the war started. The Germans have were accused for the war because of their aggression however, the war started by the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and his assassination in 1914 let to a series of events and the outbreak of the war in Europe. Ferdinand and his wife were killed by Serb Nationalist Gavrilo Prindip while on a formal visit to Sarajevo. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/harrachmemoir.htm)
(Primary Documents: Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s Assassination, 28 June 1914).
Germany offered Austria-Hungary a “Blank Cheque” in support for the aggression of Serbia. (Primary Documents: Germany’s ‘Blank Cheque’ to Austria-Hungary, 6 July 1914).
The German Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, sent a letter to the German Ambassador at Vienna with the following excerpt: “The telegram effectively offered Austria-Hungary a ‘blank cheque’ in terms of German support for whatever action
Austria-Hungary chose to take in punishing Serbia for the assassination of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914.” This drew support from the Germans to the Austrian
Hungarians causing conflict between the Germans and the Serbians. Even thought the
Germans supported Austria hungry they did not want to have a war. “Not one human
being among us dreamed of war. We are a nation that wishes to lead a quiet and
industrious life.” Said an Imposing Committee of Leading German Statesmen,
Scholars, Bankers and Merchants, Including Prince von Bulow, Marshal von der Goltz,
Matthias Erzerberger, Herr Ballin, Count von Reventlow, and the Head of the Imperial
Bank. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/germanappealtoamericans.htm Primary
Documents: Germany’s Appeal to Americans, August 1914).”Our love of peace is so
strong that it is not regarded by us in the light of a virtue, we simply know it to be
an inborn and integral portion of ourselves. Since the foundation of the German
Empire in the year 1871, we, living in the centre of Europe, have given an example
of tranquility and peace, never once seeking to profit by any momentary difficulties
of our neighbours.” (Germany’s Appeal to Americans, August 1914). They did not want
war but because of the other countries actions they had declare war on France and Russia.
They declared war on France because” The German administrative and military
authorities have established a certain number of flagrantly hostile acts committed on
German territory by French military aviators. Several of these have openly violated
the neutrality of Belgium by flying over the territory of that country; one has
attempted to destroy buildings near Wesel; others have been seen in the district of
the Eifel; one has thrown bombs on the railway near Carlsruhe and Nuremberg.””(Primary Documents: Germany’s Declaration of War with France, 3 August 1914, http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/germandeclarationofwar_france.htm).
Then they declared war on Russia when “The Imperial German Government has used every effort since the beginning of the crisis to bring about a peaceful settlement. In compliance with a wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the German Emperor had undertaken, in concert with Great Britain, the part of mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg; but Russia, without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilization of her forces both on land and sea” “The German Government were, therefore, obliged to make representations to the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russia’s and to insist upon a cessation of the aforesaid military acts. Russia having refused to comply with this demand, and having shown by this refusal that her action was directed against Germany.” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/germandeclarationofwar_russia.htm Primary Documents: Germany’s Declaration of War with Russia, 1 August 1914) the Germans did not want war but peace. Some people say that the Germans tried to break Belgium’s neutrality. Yet, Germany tried to reason with Belgium. “In order to exclude any possibility of misunderstanding, the German Government make the following declaration: One: Germany has in view no act of hostility against Belgium. In the event of Belgium being prepared in the coming war to maintain an attitude of friendly neutrality towards Germany, the German Government bind them selves, at the conclusion of peace, to guarantee the possessions and independence of the Belgian Kingdom in full. Two: Germany undertakes, under the above-mentioned condition, to evacuate Belgian territory on the conclusion of peace. Three: If Belgium adopts a friendly attitude, Germany is prepared, in cooperation with the Belgian authorities, to purchase all necessaries for her troops against a cash payment, and to pay an indemnity for any damage that may have been caused by German troops. Four: Should Belgium oppose the German troops, and in particular should she throw difficulties in the way of their march by a resistance of the fortresses on the Meuse, or by destroying railways, roads, tunnels, or other similar works, Germany will, to her regret, be compelled to consider Belgium as an enemy.” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/belgium_germanrequest.htm Primary Documents: German Request for Free Passage through Belgium, and the Belgian Response, 2-3 August 1914) this shows that Germany wanted to reason with Belgian instead of just trying to concur it. Germanys aggression was not the start of the war. “Where the responsibility in this greatest of all wars lies is quite evident to us. Outwardly responsible are the men in Russia who planned and carried into effect the general mobilization of the Russian army. But in reality and truth the British Government is responsible. The London Cabinet could have made war impossible if they had unequivocally told Petersburg that England was not willing to let a continental war of the Great Powers result from the Austro-Hungarian conflict with Serbia. Such words would have compelled France to use all her energy to keep Russia away from every warlike measure. Then our good offices and mediation between Vienna and Petersburg would have been successful, and there would have been no war!”( Primary Documents: German Chancellor’s Speech to the Reichstag, 1914 http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/bethmannspeech1914.htm) In the end the Germans declared war on France and Russia causing people to believe that it was they who caused the war but it was really the assassination which made this whole war spiral out of control. in fact the Germans where trying to make less casualties. they did not like that the French where using gas bombs that killed people. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/2ndypres_germanstatement.htm Primary Documents: German Statement on the Use of Poison Gas at the Second Battle of Ypres, 25 June 1915)
