Austria's Complex Blame Game With Germany Post World War I

The question of who started World War One is a complex one, with many historians arguing that no one nation should be held solely responsible. However, it is widely acknowledged that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was the catalyst for the war. Austria-Hungary, with encouragement from Germany, declared war on Serbia, which then brought Russia into the conflict as Serbia's supporter. Germany's subsequent violation of Belgian neutrality and invasion of France led to Britain's entry into the war, thus expanding the conflict globally. While Germany's role in the escalation of the war is undeniable, some argue that Austria-Hungary's aggression towards Serbia and its determination to crush the Serbian threat should bear more blame for the outbreak of World War One.

Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality

On the 2nd of August 1914, Germany demanded that neutral Belgium allow the free passage of the German army to invade France. This was a key aspect of the Schlieffen Plan, the German plan for a war with France. The Germans mendaciously claimed that intelligence showed that the French were about to march through Belgium to attack Germany. Belgium refused, and on the 4th of August, German troops invaded Belgium.

The German invasion of Belgium was a violation of the Treaty of London of 1839, which guaranteed Belgian neutrality and had been signed by the German Confederation (of which Prussia was a member). The German Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, infamously dismissed the treaty as a "scrap of paper".

The violation of Belgian neutrality had significant consequences. Firstly, it caused Britain to enter the war, as they were bound by the 1839 agreement to protect Belgium. Secondly, it led to widespread destruction and atrocities committed by German troops against Belgian civilians during the invasion and occupation. This period became known as the Rape of Belgium, characterised by mass murder, deportation, and the destruction of civilian property and cultural heritage. German soldiers murdered over 6,000 Belgian civilians, and thousands more died during expulsions, deportations, imprisonment, or death sentences. The German Army's behaviour played directly into the hands of Allied propagandists, who used these atrocities to garner support for the war, particularly in the United States.

The German invasion of Belgium in World War I was a significant event that had far-reaching consequences for the course of the war and the involvement of other countries, as well as for the suffering endured by Belgian civilians during the occupation.

Germany's encouragement of Austria-Hungary to invade Serbia

On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. This event sparked a diplomatic crisis that would eventually lead to the First World War. Austria-Hungary, with the encouragement and support of its powerful ally Germany, decided to use this event as a pretext to invade Serbia and crush Serbian nationalism, which it saw as a threat to the stability of its empire.

Austria-Hungary sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia and dampen Serbian support for Yugoslav nationalism, which it viewed as a challenge to the unity of its multi-ethnic empire. However, they were wary of Russia, a major supporter of Serbia, and thus sought assurances from Germany that it would support them in the event of a conflict. Germany gave its assurances and encouraged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia.

On 5 July 1914, Germany promised Austria-Hungary its full support for a severe response against Serbia, in what became known as the "blank cheque". With this guarantee, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia on 23 July 1914, demanding, among other things, that all anti-Austrian propaganda within Serbia be suppressed, and that Austria-Hungary be allowed to conduct its own investigation into the assassination. Serbia's sovereignty would be compromised if it accepted all the terms, but any reply other than unconditional acceptance would give Austria-Hungary its excuse for war.

Serbia effectively accepted all of the demands except for one, but Austria-Hungary broke off diplomatic relations on 25 July and continued with its military preparedness. Russia, alerted to the impending crisis, began its initial steps towards military mobilisation against Austria-Hungary. The rest of Europe, including Russia's allies Britain and France, looked on with trepidation, fearing the outbreak of a wider European war.

On 28 July 1914, after pressure from Germany for quick action, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This declaration of war effectively began the First World War, as Russia formally ordered mobilisation, and Germany, true to its word, declared war on Russia on 1 August, and on France on 3 August.

Germany's invasion of France

The invasion of France was part of Germany's strategy to defeat France quickly and then turn its attention to Russia. This strategy was known as the Schlieffen Plan.

Germany invaded Belgium on 4 August 1914, capturing Brussels on 20 August. The violation of Belgian neutrality brought Great Britain into the war. The German army then advanced into northern France in late August, where they met the French Army and the British Expeditionary Force.

The German army came within 70km of Paris. However, at the First Battle of the Marne (5-12 September), French and British troops were able to force a German retreat by exploiting a gap between the German 1st and 2nd Armies. The German army retreated north of the Aisne and dug in, establishing the beginnings of a static western front that was to last for the next three years.

The First Battle of the Marne was described by one analyst as "the most important battle in history". It resulted in an estimated 250,000 French casualties, 12,733 British casualties and 298,000 German casualties.

Germany's declaration of war on Russia

The blame for World War I has been a topic of debate among historians, with some arguing that no single nation should bear sole responsibility for the outbreak of war. However, Germany's role in encouraging and supporting Austria-Hungary's invasion of Serbia is often cited as a significant factor in the conflict's escalation.

In the context of Germany's declaration of war on Russia, it is essential to understand the complex web of alliances and rivalries that existed in Europe at the time. Germany's support for Austria-Hungary's actions against Serbia alarmed Russia, which saw Serbia as an ally and moved its armies in preparation. This Russian mobilisation prompted fears in Germany of being caught between two fronts, as they were already anticipating conflict with France.

The German Emperor, on behalf of the German Empire, formally accepted the challenge and declared war on Russia. This decision was influenced by the belief that a European war was inevitable and that it would be better to confront it sooner rather than later. Germany's declaration of war on Russia further entangled the web of alliances, drawing in France, Britain, and eventually, the United States, expanding the conflict into a global war.

While Germany's declaration of war on Russia was a significant development, it is just one piece of the puzzle in understanding the complex origins of World War I. The conflict resulted from a combination of factors, including the actions of multiple nations, the intricate alliance system, and the failure of diplomacy to prevent escalation.

Germany's invasion of Belgium

The German invasion of Belgium during World War I was a military occupation of the country by the forces of the German Empire between 1914 and 1918. The invasion of neutral Belgium began in August 1914, with the German army advancing rapidly and capturing the fortified cities of Liège, Namur, and Antwerp. This forced King Albert I to move his government to Le Havre in France, while he continued to command the Belgian Army along a section of the Western Front, known as the Yser Front, through West Flanders.

The Belgian Army, though outnumbered, put up a strong resistance, which helped to frustrate the German Schlieffen Plan. Despite this, by the end of September 1914, most of Belgium was under German control. The German occupation was marked by widespread economic collapse, shortages, unemployment, and political repression. Numerous resistance movements emerged, engaging in acts of sabotage, intelligence gathering, and printing underground newspapers.

The German invasion of Belgium had significant consequences. Firstly, it led to the entry of Britain into the war, as they were bound by treaty to defend Belgian neutrality. Additionally, the invasion resulted in a wave of Belgian refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, particularly England, where they faced challenges adapting to new conditions and social tensions. The invasion also sparked outrage over German atrocities against Belgian civilians, with reports of massacres, summary executions, and the deliberate destruction of towns, collectively known as the Rape of Belgium.

The German occupation of Belgium was divided into three separate administrative zones. The majority of the country fell within the General Government, ruled by a German general, while areas closer to the front line were under more repressive direct military rule. The German authorities aimed to benefit their economy and industrial production while keeping the Belgian state functioning. They exploited linguistic divisions by launching the Flamenpolitik, a policy to gain support among the Flemish population, which further fuelled the Flemish Movement.

In conclusion, the German invasion of Belgium played a crucial role in the expansion of World War I, triggering Britain's entry and causing widespread social and economic upheaval. The occupation was characterised by German repression and resistance, with long-lasting impacts on the country.

Frequently asked questions