Russia was the first country to mobilize their army which symbolized that they were declaring war. (Evidence 1) They even continued to prepare their military while they carried diplomatic negotiations for peaceful solutions to the problem. These militaristic approaches threatened other countries such as Germany.
Russia was part of the Triple Entente along with Britain and France. The Triple Entente continued to get stronger while the Triple Alliance (including Germany) continued to get weaker. Russia also used French money to build railways to the border of Germany and around that area. (Evidence 5) “Germany needed to fend off Russia, the military revenge by France and trading domination by Britain”. (Evidence 4) Additionally, Russia encouraged Serbia (their allies) to use military approaches and they provided Serbia with arms and ammunition. (Evidence 3) Therefore Russia practically provoked Germany into declaring war. “Faced with Russian mobilization and the threat of a two-front war, Germany had little choice but to initiate an attack upon France in self-defense”. (Evidence 2)
Russia also had a lot of motives revolved around the war. Russia felt that the war would help them gain access to the straights for trading purposes. They also resented being at the mercy of Germany’s industrial power.
Therefore I feel that Russia should be held responsible for starting World War I, due to their violent approaches, militaristic influences and selfish motives.
- Mithuna Krishnarajah
Russia should be help responsible for starting and escalating World War 1. This is due to several different reasons. Everything seemed to escalate once the news that Russia had mobilized spread throughout the nations (evidence 6). Mobilization was huge at the time. This left every other country no option but to mobilize as well ( for self-defense purposes) because Russia could attack and destroy them all at once if they didn't. Russia pretty much indirectly encouraged other countries to start using military threats and weapons.
At the duration of Russia mobilizing, several countries have already been in conflicts, and it was clearly evident that war was going to break out sooner or later. Instead of helping to stop the war, Russia mobilized and began preparing and training themselves to take on any predator. "The former was intended to prepare the Russian army for war and then to wait for the formal decoration of hostilities," quoted from Issue 9, page 2 (evidence 7).This shows that Russia was escalating and advancing the situation. Since Russia made the decision to prepare they're military, it was a sign to other countries that they were ready to fight. Why else would Russia set up and prepare their military?
Not only did Russia mobilize their country first, and prepare for the war in advance, but they were also apart of the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente consists of the powerful countries: England, France, and Russia. This group got stronger and stronger over the duration of World War 1. Russia worked well with their alliances as demonstrated when both countries contributed in the building of a railway to Germany's border. This railway was built with the intention of trading purposes. This railway being built made Germany feel as if it would be a passage way for their rivals ( the Triple Entente) to come and attack them. With this thought in mind, Germany began preparing themselves with military weapons and training.
Besides from the facts, the perspectives of people are important to consider as well. "The German press in July 1914 indicated clearly that Russia would be helped responsible if war broke out." (evidence eight). Anti Russian and most papers accepted this line. This shows that majority of people (who aren't Russian) feel as if Russia started the war. This makes sense because the only fair opinion that should be considered are from those who aren't Russian not German.
Overall, from analyzing the facts and the perspectives from people, I strongly believe that Russia should be held responsible for the creation of World War 1.
- Kesika Anbalakan
Many historians these days are of various opinions as to which country provoked the happenings of World War One. I am of the belief that the main instigator in this case was Russia. The Russians often displayed clear militaristic intentions of which were able to intimidate the likes of Germany. This led up to the point of the Germans declaring war on the basis of self defense.
The Franco-Russian alliance posed the main threat towards the Germans. These countries were located in such a way as to encircle the Germans if war had broken out. Time and time again the strength of this alliance was shown. A key event demonstrating this was Russia's use of France's money to build railways toward the German border. Not only was this alarming because it revealed that both countries were sharing resources, but now the railways could be used to swiftly direct troops towards them.
All the while Russia had been conducting diplomatic negotiations for peace while mobilizing for war; Mobilization is the act of assembling troops together in preparation for war. This displayed Russia's utter disrespect for terms of peace. More clearly also proving Russia's mentality to convey war as if it were inevitable.
Thus, I believe Russia is mainly to blame for the outbreak of the Great War. Many times they had shown that war was the only definite solution towards their problems. While in the process committing many small acts able to unnerve the Germans.
- Suthan Somadeva
Sources
Evidence 1:
“Russia was the first major power to mobilize.”
This symbolized that they were declaring war and using militaristic approaches which pushed other countries such as Germany to do the same.
After Sarajevo: The Origins of the World War, vol. 2, (Free Press, 1966).
Evidence 2:
“Faced with Russian mobilization and the threat of a two-front war, Germany had little choice but to initiate attack upon France in self-defense.
This shows that Russia threatened Germany and Germany had to declare war in order to protect themselves. This piece of evidence characterizes Russia as a very violent and threatening country.
After Sarajevo: The Origins of the World War, vol. 2, (Free Press, 1966).
Evidence 3:
"Russia provided Serbians with arms and ammunition. "
This shows that Russia encouraged their allies (Serbia) to use militaristic approaches as well, which would result in more violence. The Russians were never striving towards a peaceful solution to the war.
Evidence 4:
“Germany needed to fend off Russia, the military revenge by France and trading domination by Britain”.
Russia was part of the Triple Entente along with Britain and France. The Triple Entente continued to get stronger while the Triple Alliance (including Germany) continued to get weaker. This made Germany feel very threatened which led them to utilize violent approaches to the situation.
From Ed Rayner and Ron Stapley, ‘GCSE World History’.
Evidence 5:
“Russia, with French money, began to build railways to the German border and alongside it.”
It made it seem as though Russia and France were invading German territory and practically declaring war. This made Germany feel threatened and provoked.
Raffael Scheck, Associate Professor and Chair History Department, Colby College, USA
Evidence 6:
"One of the main causes of World War 1 was Russian Mobilization."
This states that Russia did have a huge role played in World War One. Because this event occured earlier in this entire war, it escalated things.
http://causesofwwi.wordpress.com/russian-mobilization/
Evidence 7:
"The former was intended to prepare the Russian army for war and then to wait for the formal decoration of hostilities," quoted from Issue 9, page 2 (in the given package).
I used this quotation because Russia had the money and the power to stop the war. Instead of putting their efforts put into stopping the war, they put their efforts into preparing themselves for it.
Evidence 8:
"The German press in July 1914 indicated clearly that Russia would be helped responsible if war broke out."
"Anti Russian and most papers accepted this line. "
I used this quotation because the Russians acknowledges that they were major contributors to this war, but they don't want to face the consequences of the after math of this war.
This quotation was retrieved from the package given out in class.
Russia was part of the Triple Entente along with Britain and France. The Triple Entente continued to get stronger while the Triple Alliance (including Germany) continued to get weaker. Russia also used French money to build railways to the border of Germany and around that area. (Evidence 5) “Germany needed to fend off Russia, the military revenge by France and trading domination by Britain”. (Evidence 4) Additionally, Russia encouraged Serbia (their allies) to use military approaches and they provided Serbia with arms and ammunition. (Evidence 3) Therefore Russia practically provoked Germany into declaring war. “Faced with Russian mobilization and the threat of a two-front war, Germany had little choice but to initiate an attack upon France in self-defense”. (Evidence 2)
Russia also had a lot of motives revolved around the war. Russia felt that the war would help them gain access to the straights for trading purposes. They also resented being at the mercy of Germany’s industrial power.
Therefore I feel that Russia should be held responsible for starting World War I, due to their violent approaches, militaristic influences and selfish motives.
- Mithuna Krishnarajah
Russia should be help responsible for starting and escalating World War 1. This is due to several different reasons. Everything seemed to escalate once the news that Russia had mobilized spread throughout the nations (evidence 6). Mobilization was huge at the time. This left every other country no option but to mobilize as well ( for self-defense purposes) because Russia could attack and destroy them all at once if they didn't. Russia pretty much indirectly encouraged other countries to start using military threats and weapons.
At the duration of Russia mobilizing, several countries have already been in conflicts, and it was clearly evident that war was going to break out sooner or later. Instead of helping to stop the war, Russia mobilized and began preparing and training themselves to take on any predator. "The former was intended to prepare the Russian army for war and then to wait for the formal decoration of hostilities," quoted from Issue 9, page 2 (evidence 7).This shows that Russia was escalating and advancing the situation. Since Russia made the decision to prepare they're military, it was a sign to other countries that they were ready to fight. Why else would Russia set up and prepare their military?
Not only did Russia mobilize their country first, and prepare for the war in advance, but they were also apart of the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente consists of the powerful countries: England, France, and Russia. This group got stronger and stronger over the duration of World War 1. Russia worked well with their alliances as demonstrated when both countries contributed in the building of a railway to Germany's border. This railway was built with the intention of trading purposes. This railway being built made Germany feel as if it would be a passage way for their rivals ( the Triple Entente) to come and attack them. With this thought in mind, Germany began preparing themselves with military weapons and training.
Besides from the facts, the perspectives of people are important to consider as well. "The German press in July 1914 indicated clearly that Russia would be helped responsible if war broke out." (evidence eight). Anti Russian and most papers accepted this line. This shows that majority of people (who aren't Russian) feel as if Russia started the war. This makes sense because the only fair opinion that should be considered are from those who aren't Russian not German.
Overall, from analyzing the facts and the perspectives from people, I strongly believe that Russia should be held responsible for the creation of World War 1.
- Kesika Anbalakan
Many historians these days are of various opinions as to which country provoked the happenings of World War One. I am of the belief that the main instigator in this case was Russia. The Russians often displayed clear militaristic intentions of which were able to intimidate the likes of Germany. This led up to the point of the Germans declaring war on the basis of self defense.
The Franco-Russian alliance posed the main threat towards the Germans. These countries were located in such a way as to encircle the Germans if war had broken out. Time and time again the strength of this alliance was shown. A key event demonstrating this was Russia's use of France's money to build railways toward the German border. Not only was this alarming because it revealed that both countries were sharing resources, but now the railways could be used to swiftly direct troops towards them.
All the while Russia had been conducting diplomatic negotiations for peace while mobilizing for war; Mobilization is the act of assembling troops together in preparation for war. This displayed Russia's utter disrespect for terms of peace. More clearly also proving Russia's mentality to convey war as if it were inevitable.
Thus, I believe Russia is mainly to blame for the outbreak of the Great War. Many times they had shown that war was the only definite solution towards their problems. While in the process committing many small acts able to unnerve the Germans.
- Suthan Somadeva
Sources
Evidence 1:
“Russia was the first major power to mobilize.”
This symbolized that they were declaring war and using militaristic approaches which pushed other countries such as Germany to do the same.
After Sarajevo: The Origins of the World War, vol. 2, (Free Press, 1966).
Evidence 2:
“Faced with Russian mobilization and the threat of a two-front war, Germany had little choice but to initiate attack upon France in self-defense.
This shows that Russia threatened Germany and Germany had to declare war in order to protect themselves. This piece of evidence characterizes Russia as a very violent and threatening country.
After Sarajevo: The Origins of the World War, vol. 2, (Free Press, 1966).
Evidence 3:
"Russia provided Serbians with arms and ammunition. "
This shows that Russia encouraged their allies (Serbia) to use militaristic approaches as well, which would result in more violence. The Russians were never striving towards a peaceful solution to the war.
Evidence 4:
“Germany needed to fend off Russia, the military revenge by France and trading domination by Britain”.
Russia was part of the Triple Entente along with Britain and France. The Triple Entente continued to get stronger while the Triple Alliance (including Germany) continued to get weaker. This made Germany feel very threatened which led them to utilize violent approaches to the situation.
From Ed Rayner and Ron Stapley, ‘GCSE World History’.
Evidence 5:
“Russia, with French money, began to build railways to the German border and alongside it.”
It made it seem as though Russia and France were invading German territory and practically declaring war. This made Germany feel threatened and provoked.
Raffael Scheck, Associate Professor and Chair History Department, Colby College, USA
Evidence 6:
"One of the main causes of World War 1 was Russian Mobilization."
This states that Russia did have a huge role played in World War One. Because this event occured earlier in this entire war, it escalated things.
http://causesofwwi.wordpress.com/russian-mobilization/
Evidence 7:
"The former was intended to prepare the Russian army for war and then to wait for the formal decoration of hostilities," quoted from Issue 9, page 2 (in the given package).
I used this quotation because Russia had the money and the power to stop the war. Instead of putting their efforts put into stopping the war, they put their efforts into preparing themselves for it.
Evidence 8:
"The German press in July 1914 indicated clearly that Russia would be helped responsible if war broke out."
"Anti Russian and most papers accepted this line. "
I used this quotation because the Russians acknowledges that they were major contributors to this war, but they don't want to face the consequences of the after math of this war.
This quotation was retrieved from the package given out in class.