Okay, haven't really made a thread in a while, well haven't really been paying attention to the Forums/KAW in a while as college has been keeping me busy, and this topic is something that has interested me for a while, and I thought why the hell not? - yeah yeah I know, sorry for the sob story, anyways onto the story 
World War One was a defining moment for most of the developed nations in the world as many see this war as the catalyst for WW2(but that's another story altogether...)
This War shook most developed countries in Europe, and the rest of the World to its core. It would take too long to decide the reasons for every nation in the conflict as to why they went to war, so sorry for arguments sake I will be focussing on the reasons for Britain.
If I get enough support for this thread I hope to make some more, so if you enjoy my style of narrative history and want me to write about your favourite major Historical Event then please ask, I am open to suggestions.
Now without further ado:
Had Britain been preparing for War? and why
(1)Political Preparation.
in 1907 the British Government had come to the conclusion that the next war in Europe would be between Germany and France(funnily enough the two protagonists of the British Two Power Standard). Britain also believed it could not could not avoid becoming involved against Germany. The main reasons for this conclusion were(1)Britain believed Germany was determined to dominate Europe, which would upset the balance of power and (2)that Germany was determined to expand in pursuit of its "World policy" to which the only territories it could expand into where already owned by Britain.
(2)Military and Naval preparation.
in 1903 she decided to build and north sea base which would allow her easy access to the north sea and a quick route to blockade the Kiel Canal. In 1906 she introduced a new type of ship the Dreadnought which made all German ships obsolete. This led to a huge arms race between Britain and Germany for the most operational Dreadnoughts. Also in 1906 Britain began secret military talks with France in case of a German invasion of France and in 1914 Britain began naval talks with her old advisory Russia.
This shows that the origins of WW1 spread back way before the shooting of the Archduke.
Did Britain do anything to try and avoid war?
Grey avoided turning the Anglo-French entente into a classified military alliance, party due to their traditional principles of no long term commitments and partly due the want not to incite France into aggressive moves against Germany. Grey also tried to slow the arms race down by cutting a Dreadnought from the naval programmes. He also negotiated treaties with Germany to settle imperial disputes, resolve disputes over the Berlin-Baghdad railways and to make sure the 1st and 2nd Balkan wars of the time did not escalate.
Was the issue of Belgium the main reason for involvement?
One of the main principles of British foreign policy was the maintenance of the Balance of Power. Germanys declaration of war on Russia (1st august) and France (3rd august) demonstrated Germany's intention of dominating Europe. Britain would have Gone to war with Germany to maintain the Balance of Power, regardless of the invasion of Belgium. However they did the "scrap of paper" they signed very seriously, and the invasion of Belgium gave Britain a "just" right to enter the war.
Could Britain have not entered the war?
NO. If Germany conquered Europe then Britain would have been in a hopeless position economically; and France and Russia would have never forgiven her for letting them down. Britain would have been truly isolated and her reputation would have been in tatters. There was more to lose by not joining the war than by becoming involved.
Well I hope you enjoyed your History lesson
if you enjoyed this thread or found it interesting please support and or suggest a theme you would like me to write about in future
~Huxley
World War One was a defining moment for most of the developed nations in the world as many see this war as the catalyst for WW2(but that's another story altogether...)
This War shook most developed countries in Europe, and the rest of the World to its core. It would take too long to decide the reasons for every nation in the conflict as to why they went to war, so sorry for arguments sake I will be focussing on the reasons for Britain.
If I get enough support for this thread I hope to make some more, so if you enjoy my style of narrative history and want me to write about your favourite major Historical Event then please ask, I am open to suggestions.
Now without further ado:
Had Britain been preparing for War? and why
(1)Political Preparation.
in 1907 the British Government had come to the conclusion that the next war in Europe would be between Germany and France(funnily enough the two protagonists of the British Two Power Standard). Britain also believed it could not could not avoid becoming involved against Germany. The main reasons for this conclusion were(1)Britain believed Germany was determined to dominate Europe, which would upset the balance of power and (2)that Germany was determined to expand in pursuit of its "World policy" to which the only territories it could expand into where already owned by Britain.
(2)Military and Naval preparation.
in 1903 she decided to build and north sea base which would allow her easy access to the north sea and a quick route to blockade the Kiel Canal. In 1906 she introduced a new type of ship the Dreadnought which made all German ships obsolete. This led to a huge arms race between Britain and Germany for the most operational Dreadnoughts. Also in 1906 Britain began secret military talks with France in case of a German invasion of France and in 1914 Britain began naval talks with her old advisory Russia.
This shows that the origins of WW1 spread back way before the shooting of the Archduke.
Did Britain do anything to try and avoid war?
Grey avoided turning the Anglo-French entente into a classified military alliance, party due to their traditional principles of no long term commitments and partly due the want not to incite France into aggressive moves against Germany. Grey also tried to slow the arms race down by cutting a Dreadnought from the naval programmes. He also negotiated treaties with Germany to settle imperial disputes, resolve disputes over the Berlin-Baghdad railways and to make sure the 1st and 2nd Balkan wars of the time did not escalate.
Was the issue of Belgium the main reason for involvement?
One of the main principles of British foreign policy was the maintenance of the Balance of Power. Germanys declaration of war on Russia (1st august) and France (3rd august) demonstrated Germany's intention of dominating Europe. Britain would have Gone to war with Germany to maintain the Balance of Power, regardless of the invasion of Belgium. However they did the "scrap of paper" they signed very seriously, and the invasion of Belgium gave Britain a "just" right to enter the war.
Could Britain have not entered the war?
NO. If Germany conquered Europe then Britain would have been in a hopeless position economically; and France and Russia would have never forgiven her for letting them down. Britain would have been truly isolated and her reputation would have been in tatters. There was more to lose by not joining the war than by becoming involved.
Well I hope you enjoyed your History lesson
if you enjoyed this thread or found it interesting please support and or suggest a theme you would like me to write about in future
~Huxley
) ive edited it so please guy no more hate ay?