Alliances and Diplomacy

Triple Alliance vs. Triple Entente Bernadotte Schmitt

Alliances were meant for peace, but eventually exacerbated the local quarrel into a general war

A.J.P. Taylor
Alliances were so precarious and fragile that they cannot be seen as a major cause of the war
Formal alliances did not guarantee support for war (Italy remained neutral after Germany and Austria declared war) Britain had no binding alliance and declared war

Alliances and Diplomacy

James Joll
No Euro power really accepted that the alliance system consisted of two firm and balanced blocs No major Euro power subscribed to the idea that the alliance system was a complete deterrent against war

Pre-1914 alliance system was fragile, but did not make war inevitable
Raised expectations about likely allies in a future war and influenced the military plans of each power

Militarism, Armaments, and War Plans

Michael Howard
Europe was an armed camp between 1870 and 1914 Announcements of increased armaments expenditure was viewed as a threat by other Euro powers Created atmosphere of mutual fear and suspicion

Frank McDonough suggests this is superficially attractive to historians

Austria spent the least amount on armaments (1.9% of GDP)and was determined to go to war with Serbia

Niall Ferguson
Growth in military expenditure leading to war is greatly exaggerated Britain had the highest expense (4.9% GDP) and was the last Euro power that wanted war

Militarism, Armaments, and War Plans

Balance of power during the July Crisis had a greater impact upon the causes of WWI L.F.C. Turner
Austria argued for a preventative war to weaken Serbia Germany felt that Russia and France were growing in military strength and thus wanted to fight a war with them sooner rather than later

Militarism, Armaments, and War Plans

Strategic fears were closely linked to military aims and plans A.J.P. Taylor
Outbreak of WWI caused almost entirely by rival plans for mobilization by the European powers All Euro powers had developed military plans in the case of a war
Swift mobilization and lightning attacks

Not particularly influential among the Triple Entente, but more so among Germany and AustriaHungary
Military planners had a decisive influence over foreign policy

Nationalism
Martel
A clash between Slav nationalism and the multi-ethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire A struggle for mastery within the Balkans WWI was fought for the future of central and eastern Europe

The level of fear and emotion that Slav nationalism caused in Austria-Hungary should not be underestimated
Caused them to offer up an ultimatum to Serbia that had to backed by war

Joachim Remak
Austria-Hungary and Serbia started a 3rd Balkan War and dragged all of Europe into war by activating their alliances

Nationalism
John Leslie
Refutes the importance of an Austro-Serb quarrel Austria-Hungary used the assassination of Ferdinand as an excuse to settle accounts with Serbia, and asked Germany to prevent Russian intervention Germany saw the war with Serbia as secondary to the struggle with Russia July Crisis- Kaiser virtually commanded AustriaHungary to set aside its anger against Serbia and to deploy the major portion of its troops against Russia
Blame is squarely pointed at Germany, not AustriaHungary

Marxist-Leninist View
The role of imperialism and economic factors Vladimir Lenin
Imperialism: the highest stage of capitalism
WWI was the direct consequence of imperial rivalry among the Euro superpowers German monopoly capital was the driving force of foreign policy
Primary goal was to gain territory denied them during the New Imperialism

Foreign policies of the major powers were a function of capitalist businessmen

Marxist-Leninist View
Konne Zilliacus
Europe went to war to defend imperialist interests which consisted of the private interests of finance and monopoly capital

Marxist-Leninist view never became an excepted interpretation among traditional historians

Evidence that supports the idea of capitalist businessmen driving the foreign policy of a nation is hard to find Although, a strong industrial economy did prove vital to a successful foreign policy in the 20th century

Modern Economic Considerations

Paul Kennedy
Economic interests are a key reality behind diplomacy

Carl Stirkwerda
German industrialists saw no need for war in order to dominate the industries of Europe Industrialists were not the driving force for war, but politicians were

Conclusion
Power-political considerations caused WWI
Alliances, military plans and military strength Not the modern-day desire for a mutually beneficial economic environment
Economic cooperation had very little influence at all in eastern Europe (where the July Crisis erupted)

Euro powers had adopted protectionism

A better insurance against economic depression in pre-War I Europe