Sources for World War One
John Bull
(Britain)
Kaiser Wilhelm II
(Germany)
What does the
artist suggest
about the
Entente
Cordiale?
Sword – will
violence be
used in the
future?
Marie-anne
(France)
What impression of
France is the artist
putting forward?
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 seapower.”
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’.
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’.
The Treaty had
been signed by six
powers and
declared Belgium to
be a neutral
country.
This recruitment
poster highlights the
importance of the
Treaty as a reason
for Britain going to
war.
Marianne
(France)
Ships from the British
Royal Navy
The Kaiser is making
threats for the future
John Bull (Britain)
FOILED!!!
Ha!Ha! But no
matter A time
will come
Britain and France
are dancing the
hornpipe, a sailors’
dance. They are
dancing to the same
tune.
Kaiser Wilhelm
II (Germany)
The Kaiser is shown as a
pantomime villain – the
bad guy but a figure of
fun
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.”
GERMANY
FRANCE
BRITAIN
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
RUSSIA
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’
Gate represents
Belgian border
Words represent
Belgian neutrality as
agreed in 1839.
Large club represents
German army threatening
Belgium
Grumpy old man is
Germany
Small boy represents
Belgium
Armed only with a
small stick the boy
is prepared to
defend himself.
The Schlieffen Plan meant
Germany would have to
attack France through
Belgium
Britain supports the
small Belgian power
against the
aggressive stronger
power