German Involvement in

World War I

Kirsten Krause
World Understanding D
Mr. Herrington
 Krause 1

In the years before the first World War, the greatest question of the era among Central

and Western Europe was the future role of Germany.1 Germany’s rulers used the assassination in

Sarajevo as an excuse to quickly begin converting itself into a world power by dominating

Europe through a war2 that other countries were reluctant to prepare for. With imperialism

fostering rivalries and alliances, much tension was being created between the Great Powers of

Europe during this time period. Although many countries took a stand in preparing for the war,

there is innumerable evidence that shows that Germany was the primary cause of the war to end

all wars; World War I. A newly united Germany became an imperialist nation and soon after

nationalism and militarism branched throughout the country. The rising tension between the

Great Powers was driven by Germany’s efforts to expand their empire and other war assets such

as their naval bases and artillery weaponry, challenging countries such as Great Britain who had

maintained control of the sea for centuries. Germany also played a large role in provoking other

countries into war by forced entry and impulsively declaring war on other countries who were

not infringing upon them.

In the years leading up to the war, Imperialism, Nationalism and Militarism were

becoming increasingly stronger in Germany. Imperial Germany had rapidly emerged as the

dominant industrial and military power in Europe3 believing, along with many other countries,

that colonies were necessary for their economic well being. Since the 1870s when Germany first

became a united nation, its leaders had desired greater power. In the 40 years following 1870,

1
Neil M. Heyman, ​World War I​ (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997): 5
2
Lind, ​Germany’s Super Power Quest Caused World War I ​(USA: The National
​Michael
Interest):
https://www.nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-cause-world-war-i-10778
3
​Heyman, ​World War I, ​5
 Krause 2

Germany built up a navy, army, and factories to support them. Kaiser Wilhelm II proudly

reviewed new German infantry regiments and munitions factories, such as the giant Krupp

Works which manufactured tons of heavy cannons, artillery and rifles.

4
Germany was able to pride itself on being a world leader because of its development of higher

education, scientific research, and a system of social insurance for its working class. All of these

factors led to one question that all of Central and Western Europe wanted the answer to; what

was the future role of Germany? 5

An advancing Germany was competing with its neighbors for trade, influence, and
6
colonies overseas. German nationalists talked of expansion of German Imperial control and

influence in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Newspapers even harshly criticized the

government tactics being used by Britain and France to maintain imperial control, calling them
7
the “Old Empires.” Germany sought to expand its power to the few remaining areas of the

world that were not already under European rule. 8 German Navy yards rushed to build new ships

and German admirals took receipt of these new battleships, cruisers, and submarines. 9 By 1914,

the German Empire had emerged as the most powerful nation on the continent of Europe with its

dynamic economy and industrial might.

Germany’s efforts to gain increased power worried many Europeans, causing tension to

build between the Great Powers. Germany’s insistence on intervening in colonial issues

4
​ZacharyKent, ​WWI: The War to End Wars ​(Springfield, NJ: Enslow Publishing, 1994): 13-14
5
​Heyman, ​World War I, ​5-6
6
Russel Freedman, ​The War to End All Wars, World War I ​(New York: Clarion Books, 2010):
10
7
​J. Llewellyn et al, “World War I and Germany” (Alpha History, 2014):
http://alphahistory.com/weimarrepublic/world-war-i/.
8
Freedman, ​The War to End All, ​10
9
​Llewellyn, “World War I and Germany”
 Krause 3

10
challenged an existing pattern in which Britain had power. German leaders decided that to

compete for colonies, they would need a modern oceangoing navy, combined with their big army

equipped with the latest weapons to challenge Britain’s centuries old command of the sea.

German shipyards rushed to build a fleet powerful enough to engage Britain’s royal navy in

battle. Germany’s ambitions were seen as a threat to Britain’s command of the sea, causing

Britain and Germany to engage in a rivalry to grab overseas colonies, ​and ​a costly competition to
11
build bigger and better battleships. Along with the naval armaments race between Britain and

Germany, European nations were competing in an arms race on land12 driven by a militaristic

Germany. Kaiser Wilhelm II and his government adopted policies that also contributed to the

rising tensions in Europe. German Industrialists equipped the army with deadly weapons such as
13
artillery machine guns, chemical weapons, and flamethrowers. Germany’s military superiority

took geographic form when French provinces Alsace and Lorraine were annexed, causing even

greater tension between France and Germany. 14

After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary wished to

deliver an ultimatum to Serbia but feared Russia would step in. Before delivering the ultimatum,

Austria-Hungary obtained a pledge of support from its ally, Germany, in case of war. 15 Germany

promised Austria-Hungary, whom wished to go to war with Yugoslavia, that they would defend

10
​Neil M. Heyman, ​World War I​ (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997): 5
11
Russel Freedman, ​The War to End All Wars, World War I ​(New York: Clarion Books, 2010):
10-11
12
Freedman, ​The War to End All Wars, ​13
13
​J. Llewellyn et al, “World War I and Germany” (Alpha History, 2014):
http://alphahistory.com/weimarrepublic/world-war-i/.
14
​Heyman, ​World War I, ​5
15
​ Freedman, ​The War to End All Wars, ​13
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them should Russia step in on the side of the Slavs.16 Kaiser Wilhelm II boasted of German war

interests and intentions, encouraging war on Serbia.17 The governments of Germany and

Austria-Hungary believed that while allied together they possessed a great deal of power.18

Germany also provoked other countries into war. German strategists drew up war plans

that promised the conquest of France in just a few weeks and other countries soon after. One of

these plans included the Schlieffen Plan. This plan called for quick, circling movements that
19
would surround and destroy the enemy after forcefully invading through Belgium to avoid

major conflict against France’s frontlines.20 The German strategists also created the September

Program, which was a secret plan of the government that envisioned annexing territory from
21
France and turning them into vassal states of Germany. Fear and resentment of Germany

brought France into a military alliance with Russia, whom also viewed the newly powerful

German empire as a threat, in preparation for war.22 Soon after, Germany dispatched ultimatums

to both Russia and France warning that, “[German] mobilization will follow unless Russia
23
suspends war measures against ourselves (Germany) and Austria-Hungary.” When Russia

refused, Germany declared war on them on August 1st, 1914. On the 2nd, Germany demanded

free passage through Belgium, and when the demand was refused, Britain was brought into the

16
​Michael Duffy, “The First World War” (CSS, 2009)
www.firstworldwar.com/features/germanyduringww1.htm#
17
​Llewellyn, “World War I and Germany”
18
​Zachary Kent, ​WWI: The War to End Wars ​(Springfield, NJ: Enslow Publishing, 1994): 13-14
19
​Duffy, “The First World War”
20
Heyman, ​World War I, ​6
21
​Michael Lind, ​Germany’s Super Power Quest Caused World War I ​(USA: The National
Interest):
https://www.nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-cause-world-war-i-10778
22
​Russel Freedman, ​The War to End All Wars, World War I ​(New York: Clarion Books, 2010):
11-12
23
Freedman, ​The War to End All Wars, ​15
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war on the side of Belgium. On the 3rd, Germany declared war on France claiming that they had

infringed upon German territory. Germany invaded through Belgium the day after the

declaration and by August 18th had overthrown Belgium, whom did not wish to take part in the

war and resisted German forces, and was gathering on France’s border to begin the offensive.24

Germany caused Belgium, Russia, France and Britain all to become involved in the war.

Many historians believe that the primary cause of World War I was imperial Germany’s

mission to become a world superpower by crippling Russia and France in a quick and decisive

war,25 though the result was a war that devastated many European countries and caused the

collapse of the German empire. World War I ended on June 28th, 1919 with the signing of the

Treaty of Versailles. The treaty was negotiated amongst the allied powers with little German

participation. Its 15 parts and 440 articles reassigned German boundaries and liabilities for

preparations.26 As all countries involved in the war believed Germany was at fault, the Treaty

stated, “The war in which [originated] in the declaration of war by Germany against Russia on

August 1st, 1914, and in the invasion of Belgium…”27 Through the articles, Germany accepted

the responsibility of itself and its allies, “As a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the
28
aggression of Germany and her allies... Germany undertakes to recognize the full force of the

Treaties of Peace and additional conventions which may be concluded by the allied and

associated powers with the powers who fought on the side of Germany…”29 Due to the rise of

24
Michael Duffy, “The First World War” (CSS, 2009)
www.firstworldwar.com/features/germanyduringww1.htm#
25
​Lind, ​Germany’s Super Power Quest
26
History.com Staff, “Treaty of Versailles” (A+E Networks 2009)
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/treaty-of-versailles
27
​Treaty of Versailles ​loc.gov/law
28
​Treaty of Versailles ​Part VIII - Article 231 loc.gov/law
29
​Treaty of Versailles ​loc.gov/law
 Krause 6

imperialism, nationalism, and militarism in Germany, the constantly growing tension between

the Great Powers and Germany, and the provocation of other countries to join in the war, it can

be concluded that Germany was indeed the primary cause of World War I.

Bibliography

Duffy, Michael “Germany During World War I”

www.firstworldwar.com/features/germanyduringww1.htm#

Freedman, Russel ​The War to End All Wars, World War I ​(New York: Clarion Books, 2010)

Heyman, M. Neil, ​World War I, ​(Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997)

History.com Staff “Treaty of Versailles”

www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/treaty-of-versailles

Kent, Zachary ​World War I The War to End Wars ​(Springfield NJ: Enslow Publishers, 1994)

Lind, Michael “Germany’s Super Power Quest Caused World War I”

nationalinterest.org/feature/germanys-superpower-quest-caused-world-war-i-10778

Llewelyn, Jennifer “World War I and Germany” alphahistory.com/weimarrepublic/world-war-i/

 Krause 7

Treaty of Versailles www.loc.gov/law/help/us-treaties/bevans/m-ust000002-0043.pdf