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| Question | Answer |
| Germany was not fully responsible for the War: Schlieffen Plan | No clear evidence that Germany had a long-term plan of aggression in relation to WW1 - 1905 Schlieffen Plan came about due to the fear of encirclement from the Triple Entente and can be seen as a plan for the possibility of a war on 2 fronts |
| Germany was not fully responsible for the War: Shared Responsibility | Britain, France, Russia and Germany contributed to the build-up of weapons before WW1 - Naval Race 1898-1906 |
| Germany was not fully responsible for the war: Alliance Systems | All European Great Powers were part of an alliance system that created tensions between nations in Europe before the war - Triple Entente; Germany and Austria-Hungary |
| Germany was not fully responsible for the War: European Powers | Other European powers participated in events that caused conflict in the years leading to WW1 - Alliance system; 1898-1906 Naval Race; Balkan Wars - tension between Serbia and Austria-Hungary; Timetable to war |
| Germany was not fully responsible for the War: Timetable to War | The crisis following the murder of Franz Ferdinand that led to war in the summer of 1914 was not started by Germany and nor was Germany the only power to make decisions in July 1914 - Catalyst = assassination of Franz Ferdinand by a Serb; July Ultimatum was issued by Austria, with no consultation to Germany |
| The Fischer Thesis: Weltpolitik | Fischer claims that from the 1890's Germany followed a policy of aggressive Weltpolitik to gain a more dominant position in Europe & fufill their desire to fulfill their desire for colonial expansion. Can be interpreted as confrontational as it challenged the status of other European powers. |
| The Fischer Thesis: The Schlieffen Plan 1905 | Can be interpreted as a plan for a war of aggressive, as it entailed potentially unprovoked German attacks of France and Belgium. HOWEVER, the Schlieffen Plan could be regarded as a plan for the possibility of war on 2 fronts rather than a plan to start a war on 2 fronts due to the emergance of the Triple Entente |
| The War Council 1912 | A meeting consisting of the Kaiser and military leaders, such as von Tripitz, in 1912. The possibility of a future war with Russia was discussed. The Kaiser and Field Marshell von Moltke agitated for war and armament developments. |
| The Fischer Thesis: The War Council | For Fischer, the War Council indicated that the Kaiser and his closest military advisors were planning for a war in the east from 1912. HOWEVER, Fischer has placed too much weight on the 'War Council' - it was not attented by Bethmann Hollweg and little action occured in response to the meeting. Lastly, the War Council meeting was a response to Britain's declaration that they would support France unconditionally - this could therefore imply that it was a reflect that German fears of encirclement rather than an aggressive desire for war |
| September Programme 1914 | The September Programme, written by Chancellor Hollweg, was produced in the early days of the war and outlined Germany's war aims. It contained a clear indication that Germany sought to subordinate France, and also far-reaching plans for German domination in Eastern Europe, inlcuding the annexation of large amounts of territory with a German sphere of influence that stretched all the way to the Ukraine |
| The Fischer Thesis: The September Programme | The September Programme was written only after war had commenced and so cannot be taken as a clear indication of a plan of aggression and domination that predated the war. Additionally, it was written by Kiezler, Hollwegg's personal secretary who could have interpreted Hollweg's opinions differently. |
| Bosnian Crisis | Austria annexed Bosnia much to the dislike of the Triple Entente who demanded an International conference to sort out the issue. However, Austria refused and Germany declared full support of Austria. Additionally, they asked Russia to recognise the annexation, this was seen as an ultimatum by the Russians, who were weak from the humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese war. The annexation was recognised in March 1909 |
| Antagonising Russia | Reinsurance Treaty agreed that neither Germany nor Russia would attack each other. However, the Kaiser allowed this treaty to lapse and began to seek closer relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire - 1908 Bosnian Crisis Germany's support for Austrian annexation of Bosnia antagonised Russia. However, Russia had entered the Triple Entente in 1907 emphasising their support for France over Germany |
| 1st Moroccan Crisis 1905-1906 | A speech made by Kaiser Wilhelm in Tangier demanding an international conference on France's role in Morocco, caused much contention and it was done to test the strength of the Entente Cordiale. However, at the conference held in Algeciras all countries present, except Germany and Austria-Hungary, accepted French influence in the area |
| Antagonising France | The 1st Moroccan crisis ended in a diplomatic humiliation for Germany and strengthened Anglo-French relations - which was the reverse of Germany's intentions |
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