This position holds that Germany alone bears responsibility for the outbreak of World War I. It argues that Germany's aggressive foreign policy stoked tensions and coerced its ally Austria-Hungary into conflict, and that it was widely seen as the chief threat to European peace.
Supporting arguments · 2
- Germany coerced their ally, Austria-Hungary, to begin conflictWithout the coercion from Germany, Austria never would have gone through with retaliation following the Assassination. As the only war to have been caused by assassination, Germany was certainly whispering to provoke an overreaction.
- Germany was seen as a threat to peace in EuropeAlong with 'Weltpolitik' foreign policy of colonial expansion and previous rivalries, Germany's aggressive presence on the world stage greatly bolstered tensions between actors going into World War 1.