The origins of World War One :: essays research papers

The origins of piece War OneThe Fritz Fisher thesisFritz Fisher focuses on the Kaiser, Gottlieb von Jagow, Bethmann Hollweg and Helmut von Moltke. These quadruplet were the German leading figures at that time Fischer is convinced that these people were creditworthy for the outbreak of orb War One. Fischers three main claims were1.Germany was active to launch the First World War in order to experience a great power.2.Germany encouraged Austria-Hungary to start a war with Serbia, and go on to do so, even when it seemed clear that such a war could not be localized.3.Once the war began, Germany developed a clear fate of aims, already discussed before the war, to gain large territorial gains in substitution and eastern Europe, very similar to Hitlers later craving for living space (living space) in eastern EuropeFischer believes that the First World War was not a incumbrance war, but that it was planed and launched by Germany sharply in order to dominate whole Europe. Furthermor e Fischer sees Bethmann Hollweg in the eccentric of the main constructor of the German policy during the July Crisis in 1914, and also as a central figure in the development of Germanys expansionist goals once the war started. The Egmont Zechlin thesisEgmont Zechlin thinks that Bethmann Hollweg took a calculated risk in July 1914 to gain diplomatic victory, or if it failed, to fight a defensive rub war with nearly no objectives. This explains that Germany did not prepare a long plan for expansion. Zechlins three main claims were1.Germany support for a preventative war grew after the Balkan wars had produced vast gains for Serbia.2.Bethmann Hollweg lacked the patience to settle matters by negotiation, believed that the entente powers were paralyzing Germany, and recognise that Russia was growing stronger in the Balkans, and Austria-Hungary weaker.3.When he gave Austria-Hungary the blank cheque, Bethmann Hollweg realized that the crisis might escalate into a European war.It appear ed like Germany hoped that the Austro-Serb crisis might set off the big Entente powers and with that give Germany a blood free victory. In addition to that Zechlin accepts the fact that Germany took advantage of the crisis to advance its own plan.The Gerhard Ritter thesisGerhard Ritter supposes that Germany trickt be blamed for the outbreak of World War One. Ritters six main claims were1.There is no evidence of a corporate German plan for war or world domination.2.Germany acted defensively end-to-end the July Crisis to preserve its position in the existing status quo.