Sources for World War One

Kaiser Wilhelm II (Germany)

John Bull (Britain)

Marie-anne (France)

Sword – will violence be used in the future?

What impression of France is the artist putting forward?

What does the artist suggest about the Entente Cordiale?

What is Britain’s attitude to Germany according to the artist?

Contrasting views of the Kaiser

Fritz Fischer's view of Germany 's foreign policy 1900–1914. Fischer was a German historian, who put forward the view that Germany planned the First World War in the

years before 1914

“Germany’s policy was based on a wish for growth. Sometimes it was friendly and based on reaching agreement. At other times it was aggressive. The final aim was always to expand German power and land.”

From notes made by the German naval commander Karl von Muller, who had attended a ‘naval war cabinet’ meeting with the Kaiser in December 1912. Molke was head of the

army and Tirpitz was head of the navy

“General von Moltke said: “I believe war is unavoidable; war sooner the better.” Tirpitz said the navy would prefer to see the postponement of the great fight for one and a half years.”

Relations between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. From a Declaration which the Serbian government was forced to sign by the Austro-Hungarian Government in March 1909,

after Austria-Hungary had taken over Bosnia.

“Serbia recognises that the annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary has not affected its rights, and consequently it will agree to the decisions of the powers. Serbia promises to be on good terms with Austria-Hungary and will prevent the formation in Serbia of any groups opposed to Austria-Hungary

Lloyd George’s speech at the Mansion House, published in The Times on 22 July 1911, during

the Second Moroccan Crisis

“But if the situation were to be forced upon us in which peace could only be preserved by the surrender of the great position Britain has won by centuries of heroism and achievement……… then I say emphatically that peace at that price would be a humiliation intolerable for a great country like ours to endure.”

Admiral von Tirpitz, the member of the German government responsible for the navy.

“Building a battle-fleet was necessary if we wanted to become a sea-power. Sea power was needed to protect trade, as other states had realised long before we did. Our surrounded and threatened position convinced me that no time had to be lost in turning ourselves into a sea-power.”

Advice of Conrad von Hötzendorf to the Austro-Hungarian government after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in

1914. Von Hötzendorf was a senior military officer and leader of the war party in Austria-Hungary.

“This is not the crime of a single fanatic; assassination represents Serbia’s declaration of war on Austria-Hungary.. Austria-Hungary must wage war against Serbia for political reasons.”

Kaiser Wilhelm II referred to the Treaty of London, 1839, as a ‘scrap of paper’.

The Treaty had been signed by six powers and declared Belgium to be a neutral country.

Britain claimed to be going to war to protect the sanctity of treaties

Kaiser Wilhelm II did not believe that Britain would go to war over a’scrap of paper’.

This recruitment poster highlights the importance of the Treaty as a reason for Britain going to war.

FOILED!!!

Ha!Ha! But no matter A time will come

John Bull (Britain)

Marianne (France)

Kaiser Wilhelm II (Germany)

Ships from the British Royal Navy

Britain and France are dancing the hornpipe, a sailors’ dance. They are dancing to the same tune.

The Kaiser is shown as a pantomime villain – the bad guy but a figure of fun

The Kaiser is making threats for the future

Kaiser Wilhelm, speaking in 1914 before the outbreak of war.

“I no longer have any doubt that Britain, Russia and France have agreed amongst themselves to wage war to destroy us. The encirclement of Germany has already been achieved.”

RUSSIA

BRITAIN

GERMANY

FRANCE

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

The British cartoonist is suggesting that the Great Powers are trying to keep a lid on the problems in the Balkans, if they don’t the troubles will spill out and affect them all.

This cartoon, entitled A Chain of friendship appeared in an American newspaper in July 1914

Caption; ‘If Austria attacks Serbia, Russia will fall upon Austria, Germany upon Russia, and France and England upon Germany’

Grumpy old man is Germany

Large club represents German army threatening Belgium

Small boy represents Belgium

Armed only with a small stick the boy is prepared to defend himself.

Gate represents Belgian border

Words represent Belgian neutrality as agreed in 1839.

Britain supports the small Belgian power against the aggressive stronger power

The Schlieffen Plan meant Germany would have to attack France through Belgium