A War Without A Cause

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that a vast majority of the theories concerning the origins of the First World War center on the roles of Germany and of Great Britain. The paper discusses A.J.P.Taylor's supposition that the war was just something that happened without cause. The paper explores this contention in light of modern and historical evidence. The paper concludes that the reactionary nature of the actions in the beginning days of the war lend support to Taylor's supposition that the First World War was a big accident involving many players and bad timing.

Outline:
Germany as the Cause or the Victim?
Days before the War
A Big Accident?

From the Paper:

"Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles summarizes the viewpoint of a majority of the world, that Germany was the cause of the War. This article places the blame for the war entirely on Germany and its allies. Under the conditions of the treaty Germany was forced to repay the governments of other countries for the damages that were caused by them (Treaty of Versailles, Article 231). One of the key proponents of this ideology is Fritz Fischer. He contends throughout his work that Germany no only started the war, but that they wanted it and prepared for it (Fischer, F5). Willimason (p. 957-959) agrees that the Schlefan Plan was a key piece of evidence to support intent by Germany in starting the war."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Treaty of Versailles (1919), esp. Article 231, <http://net.lib.byu.edu/~rdh7/wwi/versailles.html>
• Memorandum of Prince Karl Max Lichnowsky (1914)
• Davis, H. W. C. The Genesis of the War. The English Historical Review, Vol. 39, No. 154 (Apr., 1924), pp. 217-239
• Fischer, F. Germany's Aims in the First World War (London: Chatto & Windus, 1967), p. F5
• Joll, J. The Origins of the First World War (London: Longman, 1992), esp. pp.1-9 J74

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