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Germany and the Origins of the First World War- David E. Kaiser 

General consensus among Western historians that Germany’s foreign policy was a response to the “internal threat of socialism and democracy” =war was its only was of combating it  Decision of war & Weltpolitik of 1897= designed by an aristocratic elite “to escape the political consequences of the industrialization” =domestic crisis which provoked a breakdown of confidence  Reason for war mainly due to government’s inefficiency in 1914 = chancellor unable to resist the power of the military  Chancellor believed that expansion was necessary for Germany’s international position (though feared domestic consequences)  Weltpolitik didn’t change the electoral base, or the power base – means for the emperor to buy off the parties and groups with concessions = the Reich government in a much stronger state than before= occasion for “a new series of bargains among entrenched interests and institutions” 

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Construction of a fleet to bolster trade, increase security and embellish the image of William = First Navy Law boosted the Emperor’s confidence in the Reichstag and brought closer the emperor, the parties and the Reichstag =achieved the winover of popular opinion in the Southern States  Was war part of the plan in Weltpolitik? Bulow had nothing on paper regarding Germany’s future= consensus that a fleet and a larger empire was needed with a rising pop and industrial growth necessity for Germany to secure an industrial market with the depression = a colonial market was not economically beneficial enough, though trade grew steadily  Anglo-German relations: British fearful of rising German power; relations tarnished with decision to build a fleet – clash with Britain was almost expected: Bulow rejected an alliance but did “not exclude cooperative arrangements”  Bulow in speeches did not condemn British imperial power, or sought to reduce it: just feared that Germany “be left behind in the division of the world’s weaker empires”-laments over not being able to intervene in the American-Spanish War because of their limited naval power Bulow tried to score points (cheap successes) that would bolster public opinion and impress the Emperor – did not carry any real risk of war Change of foreign policy with the changing nature of the international system – Anglo-French Entente, Russo-Japanese War, French intervention in Morocco =aggressive policies mostly aimed at weakening Franco-English hegemony= though no war in sight  Germans sought Russian alliance – realised that this would have weakened Britain though feared Britain’s hostility toward Germany would provoke popular discontent

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Germany wanted to weaken the French and British in Morocco: asked for a conference: aims achieved –no one pushed for a war = a war over Morocco would not be popular Naval investment was becoming an issue by 1907-08: Bulow recognised that a naval showdown would be instrumental for Germany in achieving their aims, but it was not affordable = prioritised the army course of financial reform at home, improved relations with Britain, naval limitation and expansion of German influence  Avoidance of war at all costs-a victorious war would be followed by liberal concessions to the people; a failed war could cause the collapse of the dynasty ; Tirpitz (in charge of navy) stressed that the German fleet could not match the sheer numerical superiority of Britain’s Bulow’s legacy: recognised “the gains of expansion had to be balanced against the possibly disastrous consequences of precipitate action, never forgetting the essential strength of Germany’s international position, and contenting himself with cheap successes” =bear some responsibility for the outbreak of the war (expansionist spirit fostered within Weltpolitik policies) Importance of 1912 election: victory for the Social Democrats =important right-wing reaction, government in a very difficult position, renewed interested in a war as a means to rid the Empire of its problems  Important legislation passed: expansion of the army, slowing-down of naval construction= no radical reform to solve Germany’s political problems, but the implementation of crucial reforms that Bulow had hoped to pass to no avail Commitment from Bethmann to improve relations with Britain=ask for a share of Britain’s imperial territory (arrangement over colonial matters in central Africa and Asia Minor)  Britain insisted on their neutrality in the event of a Continental crisis...