Was one particular nation or alliance more responsible than the rest, for the collapse of peace in 1914? Argue
Historian Fritz Fischer says “It must be repeated: given the tenseness of the world situation in 1914- a condition for which Germany’s world policy, which had already led to the crises (those of 1905, 1908 and 1911, was in no small measure responsible” . The German empire, to a large extent, was responsible for the collapse of peace in 1914. Germany’s rising belief of nationalism led to tension between countries, causing the collapse of peace in 1914. Germany’s technological advancement caused other powers to become fearful and anxious, The Schleiffen plan in which Germany created and Germany’s determination to become a ‘world power’
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In modern history nationalism an extreme form of patriotism, was one of the most powerful forces. Germany wanted to build up their influence in every part of the world, taking this in an aggressive manner making them responsible. Although the German empire had already obtained many countries, such as German East Africa and yet it did not satisfy them. Historian L.C.B. Seaman writes this, “But nothing could satisfy the Germans, because they had no aims to satisfy” Therefore, countries became fearful and protective over their own nations. Germany’s ambitions were extended throughout the globe, subsequently causing conflicts with all the major powers such as France and Russia, but not Austria- Hungary, starting with the year 1890 and leading up to WWI. Germany’s rising belief of nationalism, causing tensions, led to collapse of peace in …show more content…
The Schleifen plan, designed for an attack on France and Russia, caused international tensions. In order for Germany to be able to attack France and then Russia they needed to move through Belgium. The Schlieffen plan assumed that Germany would be able to defeat Belgium rapidly and then France whilst Russia slowly mobilised. This was not the case. Belgium held resistance against the German army, dramatically effecting Germany internally. Historian Wolfgang Mommsen says this, “And then something happened which the Germans hadn't expected, namely, that the Belgians put up active resistance.” The Schleiffen plan led to a series of battles of the European nations due to the tension it had caused. The Schleiffen plan provoked fear and rage, leading to the collapse of peace in
middle of paper ... ... arose. The Schlieffen plan represented a pristine militarism: the belief that all factors could be accounted for in advance, that execution could be flawless, that pure force could resolve all political problems including the plan itself. By October 1914 all the plans had unravelled. After the German defeat in the battle of the Marne, the Western Front stabilised into an uninterrupted line for 466 miles from Newport on the Belgian coast south to Bapaume, then Southeast past Soissons, Verdun, Nancy, and so to the Swiss Frontier.
Germany. Nationalism is a complex concept that can be viewed as both a unifying and a disunifying force, depending on one's perspective and background knowledge. On one hand, it can bring people together who share a common bond based on a single "nationality" or ancestry. Those who view nationalism as a unifying force often reject loyalty to a monarch, instead choosing to remain loyal to their fellow citizens. On the other hand, some people see nationalism as a disunifying force because it can disrupt efforts to restore the old order before the French Revolution.
Even after the conclusion on the Second World War, France refused to relinquish control over Indochina. Moreover, Fischer's timetable has also been criticized as inaccurate. Hollweg's Septemberprogramm, outlining German war aims, was not produced until after the war had begun and was still going well for Germany. At the same time, other powers had been harboring similarly grandiose plans for post-war territorial gains. Since its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870), France was committed to a path of revenge against Germany and the reacquisition of Alsace and Lorraine. In addition, Fischer neglects the fact that the great powers of Europe were divided into two hostile military alliances of mutual assistance that would invariably result in a general European war should hostilities break out between members of opposing alliances. Fischer further neglects to address the nationalist aspirations of the subject peoples of the multinational Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian empires. It was after all, the assassination of the heir-apparent of the Austrian empire by a Serbian nationalist that precipitated the
In the spring of 1940 Europe was enveloped in war. The German military machine had already conquered Poland, Denmark, and Norway. However, not content with northern and eastern expansion, Adolf Hitler wanted to control the western countries in Europe. Hitler had long been obsessed with attacking and controlling France. After their defeat in World War I, the German people, government, and military were humiliated by the enormous post war sanctions leveraged against them from the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler wanted to defeat and humiliate the French people in the same way that his country had to experience. For him, revenge was necessary. The German plan was to swing into France using a new tactic know as Blitzkrieg or “Lightning War”. Blitzkrieg used speed and surprise along with highly concentrated tank corps, supported by mechanized infantry and airplanes.
The rise of European nationalism in the 19th Century brought with it an overabundance amount of change that would definitively modify the course of history. The rise of nationalism in one country would rouse greater nationalism in another, which would in turn, motivate even greater nationalism in the first, progressively intensifying the cycle that eventually concluded in a World War. Nationalism as an ideology produced international competition which inspired absolute allegiance to an individual’s nation state. The ideology was fueled by industrial commerce and imperialistic developments which led to nation-states pursuits of outcompeting rival nations.
The first global world war that led to the death of millions of people and the use of excessive chemical weapons, tanks, and machine guns that the world has ever witnessed is accused by Germany’s violent actions and their extreme ideologies, but some others argue Germany was not the sole cause of the war. In an attempt to dominate the world, Germany enforced their extreme ideologies to the rest of Europe. Many scholars believe that Germany fueled World War 1 because Germany believed that they should conquer the weak. Some people believe that Germany was the sole cause of World War because their extreme ideologies led them to declare war on other countries. Although Germany deliberately supported Austria to go to war with Serbia, supported the idea of Nationalism, and signed secret treaties, Russia also supported Serbia and signed secret treaties. Thus, Germany wasn’t the sole motive of World War 1.
Imperialism was a competitive force that inevitably led to crises among rival nations. Due to severe opposition and competition as well as discontent in colonized regions, imperialism can be considered a major factor leading to World War I. Nationalism has long been a cause of disunity throughout European nations. Nationalism in Germany was especially prominent. With powerful military forces and an industrial outlook, Germany thrived. A sense of national unity was dispersed throughout the empire and gave Germany the assurance it needed to expand.
Nationalism was viewed in so many different ways by so many different leaders and society. Many conflicts and wars were a long term impact on Nationalism, but some conflicts were a small impact on Nationalism. The Frankfurt Constitution was written and published and also is a document of Germany History today. The article “On the Duties of Man”, by Giuseppe Mazzini and how the map of Europe was redrawn, which was a huge impact on Nationalism. Romanticism was another huge impact of Nationalism, with many changes that was made from artist and how their paintings became more realistic and how everyone had different views on artist’s painting.
This set a belligerent mood in Europe as each nation was prepared to fight a war. A German officer once said "in time of peace, prepare for war," and that is exactly what European nations did, eventually leading to the Great War. Without a doubt, the one underlying cause of the three described above that was most responsible for World War I was the system of alliances.
It was military plan for outlined to tackle with a threats of Russia and France if Russia declared war on Germany. Germany had fear because France was militarily stronger at that time. First, Germany would set up a defensive line of military on the Russia and German border to secure their eastern side. This plan involved German troops entering France through its more lightly defended northern borders—but most would instead invade via the small nations of Belgium, Luxemburg, and Netherlands. The plan was strategically important to play a defensive role in the
The Unsuccessful Schlieffen Plan The Schlieffen plan was created by Alfred von Schlieffen after many months of planning it, and he officially named it after himself. During the war times, Russia had promised The Schlieffen plan to Serbia. The Schlieffen plan was known as a ‘Blank Cheque’ and eventually the plan had encountered many problems. After Germany found out about the promise, it declared war on Russia alongside with France because they supported Russia. The plan had started to suffer because Germany had very poor communication with each other, they made a two front war, and the military of Germany was weak.
Moltkes unfortunate and negligent modifications to the plan ultimately contributed to its downfall. His variations caused plan 17, and therefore the Schlieffen plan to both fail as these plans relied heavily on each other in order to be successful. The original Schlieffen plan designed by Alfred von Schlieffen depended on his estimations that it would take Russia 6 weeks to mobilise her army. Hence, before this occurred the plan would supposedly conquer Paris, giving the German army time to refocus its military to the Eastern front to combat Russia. Accordingly, avoiding the dreaded war on two fronts.
The rise of nationalism and its mark on the history of Europe was quite profound. The unification of major powers and the civil unrest on the journey to unification created a large chapter of history in the nineteenth century. By the 1900s the mark of nationalism had been left on Italy, Germany, France and Great Britain. The major European powers had come through great trials to set the stage for the twentieth century and the conflicts that will erupt. Nationalism will be remembered as a great period of change and growth.
Nationalism, the love and support of one's country, has always existed. In this era, however, it was to take part in the creation of one of the most famous wars in history. Since so much pride was devoted to countries, it made the possibilities of peace between past rivals less probable. It also meant that most nations, especially the great powers, would rather fight a war than back down from a rival's diplomatic provocation. In effect, nationalism was also a contributing factor to the alliance system. No country feels comfortable being in a war alone, and with the growing militaries in almost every country, allies provided much comfort.
The Congress of Vienna in 1814-15 created the so-called German Confederation under Austrian and Prussian hegemony, but this unit disappointed the dreams of nationalists. The rivalry of Austria and Prussia paralyzed it in a way comparable to the effects of Soviet-American dualism on the United Nations during the Cold War. Almost everywhere, the old rulers repressed the nationalist movement after 1815. The German princes realized that nationalism required ...