Kissinger CH:8
Essential Question: What aspects of the European political
sphere assured that even a small conflict would escalate into a
general European war?
Casus Belli
• Casus Belli ???
• an event or action that justifies or allegedly justifies a war or conflict
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How did Casus Belli change and why?
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Not who fires the first shot, but who mobilizes first.
Due to industrialization and faster mobilization if a
country did mobilize fast enough they would be defeated
before they could act.
Impact on Alliances
• Doomsday Machine
• January 4, 1894 France and Russia agree to mobilize
together if any members of the triple alliance mobilize.
Military Strategy
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Russia
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Only wanted a General War
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If was not General and was isolated between Austria and Russia,
Germany would be in a stronger position after the war.
Germany
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Moltke’s two front war plan pre 1892
• Split military between two fronts and fight defensively until peace
could be made with one side.
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The Schlieffen plan 1892
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Wanted total victory on both fronts.
Knock out France then turn on Russia as they mobilize.
• Would require invading Belgian neutrality.
Limitations??
Durnovo’s Warning
• Durnovo’s Warning
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Burden of War
Territorial Gains
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Economic
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Britain would be unlikely to allow Russia to have
the Dardanelles
Gains in Poland would add more ethnic turmoil
Whoever lost would not be able to pay reparations
Social
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Both countries would suffer social unrest.
The Sarajevo Crisis and the Outbreak of War
• June 28, 1914 Francis Ferdinand is Assassinated
• July 5th Germany pledged to support Austria “Blank Check”
• July 23rd Austrian 48 hour Ultimatum is given to Serbia
• July 25th Serbia excepts all but one of the terms of the Ultimatum
• Russia’s Options July 24, 1914
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If Russia did not back Serbia they would loose their
position in the Balkans
If they went to war it would be disastrous.
• Russia decides to support Serbia but does not
mobilize yet.
The Sarajevo Crisis and the Outbreak of War
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July 28th Austria declares war. It would not be mobilized until
August 12th.
July 28th Tsar orders mobilization against Austria.
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Surprised to find only mobilization plan was against Germany and
Austria.
July 29th Germany demands Russia stop mobilizing.
July 30th the Tsar to weak to stop mobilization ordered full
mobilization.
July 31st Germany declares war and Russia.
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The Kaiser tried to divert mobilization away from France and
toward Russia, but similar to the Tsar the military was too strong.
• August 3rd Germany trumps up a boarder dispute and declares war
on France.
• The same day German troops invaded Belgium, causing Britain to
enter the war.
Discussion Questions
1. Why does Kissinger title this
chapter “The Military Doomsday
Machine”?
2.How would have European
events leading up to WWI have
different if Bismarck remained
chancellor of Germany? Use
specific examples.