Finals #1

 At the end of world war one, many blamed German aggression as to the start of the war. Serbia was to blame for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. What was Austria-Hungary to do but have something against Serbia now. The peace treaty was trying to keep the conflict between these two countries from spreading; they knew that if it spread, since it would involve alliances, it would result in a world war. Russia started mobilizing its army toward Germany. This made Germany feel threaten. On august 1, 1914. It declared war on Russia. France was an ally of Serbia and Russia, it was already prepared for war, on the first of the month, after Germany declared war on Russia, it started mobilizing its army as well. They knew they were next. Sure enough, Germany declared war on France on august 3, 1914.

Germany seems to be the one with all the trouble right? No, on the contrary Germany shouldn’t be blamed as the cause of the war. Germany felt threaten, it was also trying to back up its ally Austria- Hungary. Russia agreed to “stay out of it” but instead “without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilization of her forces both on land and sea”(http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/German declaration ofwar _Russia.htm) Russia was told to move its military back, that if they were trying to be conflict free they should follow what they stand for and stop moving their military closer and closer to the “enemies”. “Germany declared the state of war as counter-measure against the general mobilization of the Russian army and navy which must be followed by mobilization if Russia did not cease its military measures against Germany and Austria-Hungary within 12 hours, and notified Germany thereof.”
(http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/officialgermanstatement.htm) — “At the same time the Imperial Ambassador in Paris was instructed to demand from the French Government a declaration within 18 hours, whether it would remain neutral in a Russo-German war.” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/
officialgermanstatement.htm) Russia had already been warned a couple of weeks back. Told by Germany that mobilization means war. Austria- Hungary had already agreed to leave things as they were with Serbia, obviously after they declared war on Serbia things weren‘t exactly peaceful, but others weren’t involved just yet. The ambassador at London, and the one in St. Petersburg were instructed to tell both Russia and France what the mobilization of their army’s meant, since they “knew of the obligations of France towards Russia” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/officialgermanstatement.htm) the fact that Russia didn’t respond to the telegrams nor take back their troops, it was understood that they were ready for war.

On august 4,1914; a day after declaring war on France, Germany invaded Belgium as part of a plan to sweep across eastern and northern France. By doing this Germany violated a treaty signed in 1839 guaranteeing Belgium’s neutrality, which brought in Great Britain- “she was obligated to defend neutral Belgium by the terms of a 75-year old treaty.” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm). The united states had declared itself a neutral country. But this only lasted so long… “ official stance that would last until 1917 when Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare – which seriously threatened America’s commercial shipping” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm) truth is, America was trading with both Germany and Great Britain, Britain’s blockade of Germany made this very difficult. They didn’t only stop but also searched these boats that were headed for German ports. In effect the policy set in place a blockade of Britain and her European allies, to be applied to belligerent and neutral shipping alike. The German government argued that such a policy was implemented only as an aggressive form of defense.(http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/uboat_wilson.htm) Since the United States couldn’t do anything regarding the blockade, they stopped trading with Germany, but it continued trading with Britain. America couldn’t give up the opportunity to trade, this was giving them profit. America was acting like an ally with Britain and France, lending them money from banks, which of course helped them pay for war materials. This upset the Germans, watching the United States “ a neutral nation” help the allies. Germany began to threat the United States by saying that it would use its u-boats to sink any vessels that entered or left British ports [(which was in any event almost entirely directed towards the Allies led by Britain and France) - forced the U.S. to finally enter the war on 6 April 1917.] (http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm)

German agression is not be blamed for the start of world war one. Looking at the events that led to war, and the events that led Germany to declare war on different countries certainly prove that Germany was a “victim” of the acts committed by other countries such as Russia and France. Germany protected or in other words backed up its ally Austria-Hungary, who declared war on Serbia July 28, 1914 because it they were the ones who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Germany declared war on Russia because of its mobilization of army and navy around Germany; it made them feel threatened, and unsafe. Russia was given 12 hours to take back their military or else Germany would see no other choice but to declare war on them.. And 18 hours later, France. Why France? Not only because it was an ally of Russia and Serbia, but because of “hostile acts committed on German territory by French military aviators.” (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/
germandeclarationofwar_france.htm)Germany saw no other way to get to France but by crossing or “invading” Belgium, who was a neutral country, I’m sure Germany wasn’t thinking about the treaty singed in 1839 while it was at war with 2 countries. It was probably an honest mistake. This brought in Great Britain. Both these two countries had conflict later on, this conflict also involving the United States and the trading of goods. The British blockade did not allow America to keep trading with Germany. America began acting like an ally with both France and Britain. This upset Germany, obviously America was doing this to obtain money, but it shouldn’t have because it was suppose to be a neutral nation. Germany only took the right actions that came with each scenario. It shouldn’t be blamed for the start of world war one or be subject to pay steep reparations.