The question of German responsibility for the First World War, 1968
Wilson, Shirley Marie
1960-1969
The question of German responsibility for the first world war is one that still produces considerable debate among historians. Although it appears that many present day scholars place the war guilt at Germanys door, some have produced cogent arguments designed to relieve Germany of this accusation. This paper does not propose to present a definitive answer to the intricate question of German responsibility. Rather an attempt will be ma4e to examine the historic role of Germany prior to and during World War I. It is believed that such an analysis will be a valuable study, inasmuch as it will point out, in a capsule form, some of the issues involved in the debate on German responsibility. In approaching this question, a brief examination will be made of several selected factors influencing Germanys conduct on the eve of the war. This will include such potent factors as resurgent nationalism, entangling alliances, increasing militarism, intense conmiercial rivalry, and repeated involvement in international disputes. These factors seem to be necessary essentials for a clear understanding of motivactions that promted German behavior in the face of war. Also Austro-German diplomatic relations will be examined, with especial emphasis being placed on the aftermath of the Sarajevo incident. Since this is the period that most firmly supports the proponents of German war guilt, it will receive considerable attention. The outbreak of the hostility and Germans reaction will be briefly discussed. While this short paper cannot be expected to answer such an intricate question, the writer feels that a presentation of pros and cons in this debate will point up many issues which should be of value to novice historians. Herein lies the real worth and purpose of this research.
text
application/pdf
1968-01-01
thesis
Master of Arts (MA)
Atlanta University
School of Arts and Sciences, History
Clark Atlanta University
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1968_wilson_shirley_m