This war lasted for about 4 years (officially from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918). In essence, this is the first military conflict on a global scale, in which 38 of the 59 independent states that existed at that time were involved.

The First World War is a war between two coalitions of powers: the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria) and the Entente (Russia, France, Great Britain, Serbia, later Japan, Italy, Romania, the USA, etc.; a total of 34 states ).

Causes of World War I

The reason for the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist, a member of the Young Bosnia organization, Gavrilo Princip. However, from the very beginning of the First World War, historians have been concerned about a more significant question: what were the reasons for its start?

The reasons for the outbreak of the First World War are likely to be many. But most historians are inclined to regard the main of them as the competing interests of the largest European powers. What were these interests from the point of view of historians?

Great Britain (as part of the Entente)

Fearing a potential German threat, she abandoned the country's traditional policy of "isolation" and switched to the policy of forming an anti-German bloc of states.

She did not want to put up with the penetration of Germany into areas that she considered "her own": East and South-West Africa. And she also wanted to take revenge on Germany for supporting the Boers in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. In this connection, she was already waging an undeclared economic and trade war against Germany and was actively preparing in case of aggressive actions by Germany.

France (as part of the Entente)

She wanted to recoup the defeat inflicted on her by Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

She wanted to return Alsace and Lorraine, separated from France in 1871.

She could not come to terms with her losses in traditional markets due to competition with German goods.

Feared a new German aggression.

Russia (as part of the Entente)

She demanded a revision in her favor of the regime of control over the Dardanelles, because she wanted to have free passage for her fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.

She assessed the construction of the Berlin-Baghdad railway (1898) as an act unfriendly to Germany. Russia saw this construction as an infringement on its rights in Asia. Although, as historians note, in 1911 these differences with Germany were settled by the Potsdam Agreement.

She did not want to put up with the Austrian penetration into the Balkans and the fact that Germany was gaining strength and began to dictate its terms in Europe.

She wanted to dominate all the Slavic peoples, so she supported anti-Austrian and anti-Turkish sentiments among the Serbs and Bulgarians in the Balkans.

Serbia (as part of the Entente)

Having gained full independence only in 1878, she sought to establish herself in the Balkans as the leader of the Slavic peoples of the peninsula.

She wanted to form Yugoslavia, including all the Slavs living in the south of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Unofficially supported the nationalist organizations that fought against Austria-Hungary and Turkey.

German Empire ( Triple Alliance)

As an economically developed country, it aspired to military, economic and political dominance on the European continent.

Since Germany needed markets, and entered the struggle for colonies only after 1871, joining the struggle for colonies only after 1871, she longed to gain equal rights in the colonial possessions of England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal.

In the Entente, she saw an alliance against herself in order to undermine her power.

Austria-Hungary (Triple Alliance)

Due to its multinationality, it played the role of a permanent hotbed of instability in Europe.

She fought to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina captured by her in 1908.

Opposed to Russia, because Russia took on the role of defender of all Slavs in the Balkans, and Serbia.

USA (supported the Entente)

Here historians do not express themselves specifically, citing only the fact that before the First World War the United States was the world's largest debtor, and after the war became the sole world creditor.

These are the causes of the First World War cited by historians.

62. Analyze the content of the diplomacy of the Entente countries during the First World War.

The First World War is a war between two coalitions of powers: Central Powers, or Quadruple union(Germany, Austria-Hungary, Türkiye, Bulgaria) and Entente(Russia, France, Great Britain).

In addition to these main countries, more than twenty states grouped on the side of the Entente, and the term "Entente" began to be used to refer to the entire anti-German coalition. Thus, the anti-German coalition included the following countries: Andorra, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Italy (since May 23, 1915), Japan, Liberia, Montenegro , Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Siam, USA, Uruguay

Negotiations on the division of future booty began in the camp of the Entente soon after the start of the war. On September 5, 1914, an agreement was concluded between Russia, England and France, according to which they mutually undertook:

• not to conclude a separate peace in the ongoing war;
• "when the time comes to discuss the terms of peace, none of the allies will lay down peace terms without prior agreement with each of the other allies."

On September 14, 1914, Sazonov outlined to Ambassadors Paleologus and Buchanan the main milestones of the future world. This program assumed the defeat of the German Empire and its allies. Its content was as follows: 1. Accession to Russia of the lower reaches of the Neman, Eastern Galicia, the transition of Poznan, Silesia and Western Galicia to the future Poland. 2. The return of Alsace-Lorraine to France, the transfer to her "at her discretion" of the Rhineland and the Palatinate. 3. A significant increase in Belgium at the expense of German territories. 4. Return of Denmark Schleswig and Holstein. 5. Restoration of the Hanoverian kingdom. 6. The transformation of Austria-Hungary into a triune monarchy, consisting of Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary. 7. Transfer of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Dalmatia and northern Albania to Serbia. 8. The reward of Bulgaria at the expense of Serbian Macedonia and the annexation of southern Albania to Greece. 9. Transfer of Valona to Italy. 10. Partition of the German colonies between England, France and Japan. 11. Payment of military indemnity. On September 26, Sazonov put forward additional demands from Russia in relation to Turkey: Russia should receive a guarantee of the free passage of its warships through the straits. Russia did not present any claims to the seizure of Turkish territory.

The question of dividing Turkey was first raised by British diplomacy. Responding to Sazonov's suggestion, Gray opined that if Turkey were to join Germany, "it would have to cease to exist."

In general, Gray accepted Sazonov's offer. But he spoke in favor of including in the future "peace" program demands for the extradition of the German fleet and the neutralization of the Kiel Canal. He also insisted on taking into account the territorial interests of Italy and Romania. Finally, Gray objected to the transfer of the Rhineland to France. Thus, from the very first months of the war, Anglo-French contradictions emerged, which subsequently developed so widely at the peace conference in 1919. Obviously, under pressure from British diplomacy, the French government was forced to declare that its territorial demands in Europe were limited to Alsace and Lorraine.

Because of the division of the Turkish inheritance, already in 1914 a diplomatic struggle unfolded between the allies. On November 9, in a conversation with Benckendorff, Gray tried to convince him that the Russian government should not use Persian territory for military operations against Turkey. At the same time, Gray developed the favorite motives of both Western allies: Russia should not divert forces from the German front. The fight against Germany will also determine the outcome of the war against Turkey. For greater persuasiveness, Gray added that if Germany was defeated, then the fate of Constantinople and the straits would be decided in accordance with the interests of Russia. Such promises testified that the activity of the Russian army, despite the Marne, was extremely necessary for the Western Front. Soon the words of Gray were repeated by Benckendorff and the king. George V was even more specific: he explicitly stated that Constantinople "must be yours." But in the official English note of November 14, addressed to the Russian government, the main motive came to the fore: it was necessary to send maximum forces to the German front, and to limit ourselves to defense on the Turkish front. To this was added the assurance that the question of the straits and Constantinople "should be resolved in agreement with Russia." Thus, on paper, Gray spoke less clearly than in oral conversations.

On March 12, 1915, by an official note, England undertook to give Russia the city of Constantinople with a small hinterland, including the western coast of the Bosphorus, the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Gallipoli Peninsula and southern Thrace along the Enos-Media line. Further, Russia was to receive the eastern coast of the Bosporus to the Ismid Gulf, the islands of the Sea of ​​Marmara and the islands of Imbros and Tenedos. Russia received all this at the end of the war and only if England and France carried out their plans in Asiatic Turkey and in other areas. The British demanded in particular the annexation of the neutral zone of Persia to the sphere of British influence. The Russian government agreed, basically accepting these conditions. On April 10, France also agreed with the terms of the Anglo-Russian deal.

Short

Great Britain:

· Germany - the main rival in European politics, in trade at sea and in the struggle for colonies;

· An undeclared economic and trade war took place between countries;

Great Britain could not forgive Germany for supporting the Boers in the Boer War of 1899–1902

· It sought to take away from Turkey the oil-rich lands of Mesopotamia and the Arabian Peninsula.

These and other foreign policy interests led Britain to abandon the policy of "brilliant isolation" and join the anti-German alliance.

France:

Germany is the main enemy on the European continent;

· Strived to take revenge for the defeat in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870;

· She hoped to return Alsace and Lorraine, to join the Saar coal basin and the Ruhr;

· French goods could not compete with German in the European market;

· Afraid of losing colonies in North Africa.

For these reasons, France became an active participant in the anti-German bloc.

Russia:

· Strived to expand its territory at the expense of Austria-Hungary, annexing Galicia;

· Claimed control over the Black Sea straits Bosphorus and Dardanelles;

· Considered the construction of the Berlin-Baghdad railway as a violation of the agreement on the division of spheres of influence in the Balkans;

· With the help of a victorious war, Russia sought to postpone the time for solving urgent domestic problems.

To solve these problems, Russia found allies in the person of Great Britain and France.

Terms of the Compiègne truce:

Cessation of hostilities;

Withdrawal of German troops from occupied territories in the west

· Occupation by the troops of the Entente and the US areas on the left bank of the Rhine;

· Surrender of German troops in East Africa;

· Transfer to the Entente of a significant part of the German weapons;

· Return of prisoners of war of the Entente countries;

· Germany's rejection of the Bucharest and Brest-Litovsk peace treaties.

The results of the war;

Ended with the victory of countries that personified the process of developing democracy (Great Britain, France, USA)

· Huge loss of life: 10 million killed and died from wounds and 20 million wounded;

· A large number of military personnel: during the war, over 25 million people were mobilized in the army of the German bloc, in the Entente countries - 48 million people.

Improving the strategy of modern warfare: large-scale military operations, the widespread use of military equipment (tanks, submarines, aircraft, artillery)

· Significant material costs: estimated at about $1 trillion.

63. Analyze the content of the diplomacy of the Quadruple Bloc countries during the First World War.

Quadruple Union- the military-political bloc of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey, which opposed the Entente countries in the First World War of 1914-1918.

August 4, 1914 is a significant date when Great Britain declared war on Germany. The reason for this was the assassination of the Austrian Archhero. During the July crisis, the German militarists wanted Serbia to be captured by Austria-Hungary. Imperial Germany had large weapons and wanted to defeat France and Russia. During the war with these countries, the German government was going to start a confrontation with England.

How the war started

In 1898-1901. On the eve of the First World War, England negotiated unification with Germany, but they were not successful. Much better things were moving with Japan. In 1902, the Anglo-Japanese alliance agreement was signed. British diplomacy fueled interest in Russo-Japanese War and during this period England provided money and weapons to Japan.

The situation was heating up. German imperialism was preparing for a war for world redistribution and was considering the colonial possessions of England. Having a high-class army, Germany began to build a strong Navy. The British imperialists considered Germany their main enemy.

England's actions

At that time, Great Britain during the First World War was engaged in the construction of the fleet more strenuously. Since 1905, a new type of armored sea monster "Dreadnought" has been adopted. During the war, 60% more large ships lined up in England than in Germany.

Already in the summer of 1914, England had a huge fleet. The cost of the navy in 1912 was over 44 million sterling, which was much more than in the 1890s.

The number of the standing army of England was about 170 thousand people. 250 thousand were in the irregular territorial army.

When Russia in 1911-1912 strengthened its military forces, in England the dates were set when the war would begin. British politicians believed that hostilities should be started in such a way as to blame Germany for everything. In their opinion, in the eyes of the public, England should look like a peaceful country.
British diplomats urged Germany that if there was a war, the English-speaking countries could remain neutral under certain conditions. In order to get as close as possible to its intentions, England in 1913 and early 1914 is trying to reconcile with Germany. During this period, agreements were made that the Portuguese and Belgian colonies could be separated, as well as the Baghdad railway and Mesopotamian oil. The last document was signed on June 15, 1914.

How was the war at sea

Germany and England could not accept such a state as the USA. Germany was indecisively engaged in submarine wars in 1914-1916, and this was due to the fact that she did not want to heat up the situation with America. But the relationship between England and America was not as sincere as everyone saw it. In 1916 the question was raised of whether to break off relations with England. This was the beginning of the naval program in September 1916.

Before the war, Germany managed to keep its imports at the level of 50% of the pre-war level. In 1916-1917 military operations at sea became more powerful. On May 31, 1916, a battle was fought between a large British fleet and a German one in the North Sea. The British turned out to be much stronger - they had 28 dreadnoughts against 16 German and 40 cruisers. A total of 145 British and 100 German warships took part. Both sides made many mistakes and the battle ended in a draw. Subsequently, England no longer began to withdraw a large fleet, although large German forces advanced several more times.

On January 31, 1917, Germany declared double hostilities. This also applied to the passenger ships of England and other countries, which were attacked by German submarines. From that moment on, the number of sunken ships began to increase. In total, their number in April amounted to more than 1000. Food products and raw materials in England were decreasing in number and this could serve as its end. But still managed to find a way to deal with submarines - the escort system. In July 1917, naval losses were no longer so voluminous. Since the middle of 1917, the number of ships sunk was only 154.

England the first world war - a period for which significantly decreased standard of living population. Despite the fact that the wages of the British became higher, the prices of products began to increase. At the beginning of 1915 food prices were 25% higher than in the summer of 1914, and at the end of 1916 they rose by 85-90%. At the same time, real purchasing power fell by 30-40%.
The economic part of England began to develop very narrowly. The number of lost working days amounted to more than two million. The workers asked for increased wages at military enterprises and, thanks to the solidarity of the miners, in 1915 the government began to control all the mines in the country.
In 1917 there were 730 strikes. Some of them were organized and distinguished by the class consciousness of the participants. The number of strikers and the number of lost working days was much greater than during all war periods. The shop stewards, who have moved to the committee, begin to manage the proletariat.

In 1918, after the German offensive, the Allies began to advance, approaching the Western Front. A big blow near Amiens was inflicted by the British army in August 1918, but attacks were already taking place along with British tanks and military infantry. In the Middle East, Türkiye stopped participating in the war.

The Arab lands were in the power of the British authorities and settled in Constantinople. On November 11, Germany signed an armistice agreement and the First World War ended there.
Great Britain during the period between the world wars suffered various changes in the economic, political and industrial sphere. The war had both positive and negative effects on the country.

The results of the First World War The British Empire expanded due to the German colonies in Africa and the territories taken away from Turkey. In 1914 -1918, new industries were developed that produced military products - automotive, aviation, chemical. As a result of the war, she was seriously weakened, losing a third of her national wealth. Industrial production fell by 20%.

Consequences of the First World War for Great Britain Great Britain went through the First World War as part of the Entente military-political bloc; continuously developing, the country achieved its goal by defeating the bloc of the Central Powers (the German Empire, Austria. Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and the Bulgarian Kingdom).

Effects of World War I on Britain Positive sides Imports almost doubled, for which loans abroad were required. Negative sides The export of British goods during the war was almost halved. England began to be forced out in the foreign market. In 1914 - 1918. New branches of industry producing military products have been developed. Increased steel production. Production in the old industries (coal mining, shipbuilding, etc.) has declined significantly. Disproportions in industry hampered the development of the economy; for a long time, English industry remained uncompetitive.

Consequences of the First World War for Great Britain Positive sides Negative sides Due to the German colonies in Africa and the territories taken from Turkey, the British colonial empire expanded. Industrial production fell by 20%. England accounted for a significant part of the reparations that Germany undertook to pay under the Treaty of Versailles. Financial and economic Britain's position was seriously weakened by the war. The United States ousted England in the foreign market. England's rivals in Europe were France, in Asia - Japan.

Liberals are representatives of an ideological and socio-political trend that unites supporters of representative government and individual freedom, and in the economy - freedom of enterprise.

Conservatives 1) an adherent of conservative views, an opponent of progress and change. 2) In the UK and a number of other states, a member of the Conservative Party.

Arthur Neville Chamberlain British statesman, leader of the Conservative Party. In 1923-1924 and 1931-1937. Chancellor of the Exchequer. Prime Minister of Great Britain 1937-1940. Adhered to a pro-German position. She was closely associated with the German financial and industrial magnates and advocated cooperation with Germany.

George Frederick Ernest Albert King of Great Britain from the Windsor dynasty, who ruled from 1910-1936. He received a naval education and served in the navy. During World War I, George V changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg. Gothic to Windsor. During economic crisis in 1931, he accelerated the protracted negotiations of the party leaders and proposed the candidacy of Macdonald as head of the coalition government.

Macdonald James Ramsay British politician and statesman. One of the leaders and founders of the Labor Party. During the years of the Great Depression (1931-1935) he formed a government with the Conservatives, giving the latter the majority of seats in the cabinet, for which he was expelled from the Labor Party.

David Lloyd George British politician, the last Prime Minister of Great Britain from the Liberal Party (1916-1922).

CONCLUSION: Great Britain had a huge colonial empire. She tried to solve her economic problems through the British Cooperation and unite the empire. Unlike the United States, England did not have large, cheap construction and public works programs, but important measures were taken to expand social insurance and help the unemployed. Britain has traditionally refrained from participating in coalitions with the countries of Eastern Europe. But at the same time, since 1939, Britain announced guarantees of the independence of Poland, Romania and Greece.

• Foreign policy
• Economy
• social instability

After the end of the First World War, Great Britain, in short, was among the victorious countries and received significant profits from the world conflict. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the result is not at all as clear as it seems at first glance.

Foreign policy

After the revolution in Russia, the "fear of Bolshevism" and the desire to exterminate it firmly settled in the hearts and minds of the governments of many countries. Including the UK. In order to fight him, England organized an intervention against Soviet Russia.
After the collapse of the Entente and Russia's withdrawal from the war, England considered all agreements, in particular on the division of spheres of influence in Central Asia, concluded between her and the Russian side invalid. Countries from allies again turned into opponents, whose interests intersected in several regions at once.

Economy

After the First World War, in short, Great Britain became the owner of new colonial possessions. At the same time, industrial production increased in the old ones.
But at the same time, the country suffered significant human losses. As a result of hostilities, output was sharply reduced, and the construction of housing stock was practically stopped.
At the same time, during the war years and the first post-war years, the process of capitalist monopolization sharply intensified. The largest monopoly that wanted to completely subjugate the government and the state apparatus was the Federation of British Industry.
During the war years, new industries developed in the country. At the same time, the old ones were significantly reduced. State subsidies were allocated to support enterprises operating on outdated technologies, which hampered their further development. In addition, coal mining and iron production have sharply declined. Even shipbuilding went into decline. Foreign trade has also changed. And, not for the better. England got into huge debts.
Against the backdrop of all this, taxes were raised almost to the limit in the country, and the prices of everything, even essential goods, rose steadily, which led to the discontent of the working class.

social instability

On the one hand, the growth of industrial production in the colonies had a beneficial effect on the country's economy. But, at the same time, in the countries dependent on Britain, the number of the proletariat increased significantly, and the local bourgeoisie strengthened. And ... as a result, anti-British speeches became more frequent. The growth and strengthening of the national liberation movement, in short, led Britain after the First World War to a crisis.
After the unsuccessful Russian intervention operation, Great Britain decided to throw all its efforts into suppressing rebellions and uprisings in the colonies. However, all these measures were only temporary.
Yes, and in the country itself was restless. The workers demanded a reduction in the working week and higher wages, as well as the nationalization of certain industries. One of the largest strikes was that of workers in an industrial area in Scotland.
At the end of September 1919, the movement intensified even more, which led to a general strike of the railroad workers. The government tried to suppress the rebellion with the support of the military, but this did not help. The troops refused to oppose their own.
As a result, the workers did not achieve a wage increase, but they felt the strength of their unity. Soon the British proletariat began to come out in defense of Soviet Russia, demanding that the authorities stop its intervention.
The government took many different measures to resolve the situation, which led to the fact that the movement of workers gradually began to decline, but the echoes of the turbulent post-war years were still heard for a long time.

Thus, from an economic point of view, the main problem of Great Britain in the post-war period was the transition from a war economy to a peaceful one. However, this process actually turned out to be much more complicated and lengthy than initially imagined.
Other equally important issues that needed to be resolved, and immediately, were the improvement of the social situation of the common population, the resolution of disagreements with the colonies, and so on.

Bykovsky Nikita Grade 10

This work is a very interesting attempt to look at the international situation before the start of the First World War from a different point of view.

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Municipal government institution high school No. 1, Slavyanka, Khasansky district, Primorsky Krai.

THE ROLE OF ENGLAND IN UNLEASHING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.

Completed:

Bykovsky Nikita

10 "a" class.

Supervisor:

Belikova Anna

Valerievna.

Slavyanka town

2014

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….3

The denouement of the world war…………………………………………………………………4

How to organize a conflict………………………………………………………………………………….6

England plays for two sides………………………………………………………… 7

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………… 10

References…………………………………………………………………………11

1. Introduction

By the middle of the 19th century, England was the strongest world power. The wise policy, courage and determination of the island nation helped him to move forward. However, England did not always occupy such a high position on the world stage. It took her about two hundred years to reach a leading position in the world. And the first competitor for this leadership was Holland -a strong maritime power, which, together with Spain, actively exploited many colonies, including India. This provided enormous opportunities for printing gold-backed money. Thus, the maritime power became the leader in Europe.On June 10, 1652, Admiral Black, on the orders of the Council of State of England, captured the Dutch fleet returning from India, filled to the brim with goods.The success was stunning. Sold cargo pulled on 6.000.000 pounds , which was equivalent to six annual budgets of England. In this regard, startAnglo-Dutch Wars (1st, 2nd, 3rd). As a result of these warriors, Holland, as a great maritime power, perished.

After the victory, England took up Spain . In connection with the discovery of America, the Spanish crown received a crazy flow of gold from new colonies. Spain occupies a leading position in Europe. The competitor had to be destroyed. BeginsAnglo-Spanish War(1585-1604) . Luck was on the side of Great Britain, the largest flotilla of warships in the history of the earth - the "Great Armada" (130 units) did not sail to foggy Albion thanks to the efforts made by the pirate captain Francis Drake and the natural elements. Spain lost. The competitor was eliminated, and England rejoiced.

France became the next competitor for England. She had a powerful navy and a strong army. In a direct military confrontation, it was difficult to defeat the French. However, England this time was able to find a way out - to destroy the country from the inside - a revolution! The British blocked the perimeter of France and beganstir up French dissatisfaction with the power of the king. The goal was for the French to weaken themselves. And it turned out in 1789 year. The French Revolution began. Half of Europe took up arms against the "crazy" French, andEngland led the anti-French coalition. As a result of numerous wars, France was weakened and ceased to be a competitor to England.

After the collapse of the French monarchyin a far corner of Europe and Asia, a new danger has emerged. The Russian Empire is making a rapid leap forward. In a relatively short period of time, a new huge power appeared on the map. Its territories were many times larger than the areas of other states of that time. Russia began to exert a huge influence on the world political system which was quite dangerous for the British. Russia had a strong army, and then a fairly strong navy. It was impossible for the British to sit and wait for the further strengthening of Russia.It was clear to everyone that at such a pace, in a few decades, Russia would become the absolute winner in the competitive race on the planet.By that time, England already had two centuries-old tools:
- Revolution (for this they found those who were dissatisfied with this country, gave them money, and they, in turn, arranged devastation and chaos there)
- Provocation (England "pushed heads" two or more countries, and at the same time watched from the sidelines)

England in terms of territory and resources has always been a very small country.In order to win, they needed to use not force, but cunning.It was a necessary condition for survival. This tactic was actively used by British diplomacy throughout its history, but it manifested itself most frankly and vividly during the First World War. The purpose of my work is to study the role of England in the outbreak of the First World War.

2. The outcome of the world war

England faced a difficult task: it was necessary to eliminate a dangerous competitor from the world stage at any cost. The problem was further complicated by the fact that a new superpower appeared in Europe - Germany.Both countries were very strong. To defeat them in a military confrontation would be a very difficult task for England, one might even say unsolvable. However, England did not need it ...

From the point of view of British diplomats, the most successful solution to the problem was to provoke a conflict between Russia and Germany, which would develop into a war.Both states would have greatly weakened each other, and after this clash they would have lost their territories, their economy and would have turned into raw material and human appendages dependent on England. The main question at that time was - how to do it? After all, Russia and Germany were very close to each other. Emperor Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm are cousins ​​(they call each other only "Cousin Nicky" and "Cousin Willy"). The last thing they wanted to do was quarrel with each other for the sake of the interests of England.

Russia and Germany were to become enemies. This required that Russia be "occupied" with allied obligations in relation to other countries. Russia is forced to conclude an alliance treaty with France. After that, France provided loans to Russia, and England demonstrated to Russia its readiness to sign the Anglo-German treaty and leave Russia alone in any war. In 1894Russia signs this treaty. And immediately after that, at the age of 50, Alexander III dies.

Soon England takes the first attempt. Its goal at this stage is to unleash a war between Japan and Russia (1904-1905). After that, England threatens Russia with the signing of an alliance treaty with Japan, according to which Russia is under siege from two sides. France remains "neutral" because it is also under pressure from England. Russia is given a way out of the current situation: an allied treaty with England. As a result, Russia chose to conclude a shameful peace treaty with Japan and end the war, but not to conclude an alliance with England. This is one of the versions - why such a huge and strong country as Russia lost to Japan.

Then England takes the next step: it begins the activation of revolutionary terrorist organizations within Russia (the revolution of 1905-1907). “To keep foreign states under the threat of revolution has long been the craft of England,” says German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. On August 18, 1907, an agreement was signed between Russia and England. In thatthe same month England stops funding all revolutionary terrorists. Newspapers are closed. The revolution is ending.

Thus, Russia was forced to become a member of the bloc against Germany. The most difficult task is left behind. This is how the Entente was born.
By the way, it was not on paper, but there were three different agreements.

• France + Russia (1894 - a secret agreement, according to which it is necessary to enter the war if Germany attacks France or Russia)
• England + Russia (Convention of 1907 on the Affairs of Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet, no military obligations).
• England + France (1904 - an agreement on "cordial agreement", without military obligations: we are talking about the delimitation of spheres in Africa)

This leads to the conclusion that only Russia and France had direct obligations to enter the war, while England could do whatever it wanted.

The goal of England was achieved - in the event of a military conflict, Russia would oppose Germany.

3. Organization of the conflict.

England plans to unleash an armed conflict between Germany's ally (Austria-Hungary) and Russia's ally (Serbia). This was to involve the main participants (Germany and Russia) in a suicidal war. The German emperor Wilhelm promises to support the Austrians in the war against the Serbs, thinking that the Russian emperor Nikolai will not support the "regicides" from Serbia. Nicholas gives guarantees to the Serbs, since his sister is the mother of the heir to Serbia.
England needed Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia, and then a conflict would arise between Germany and Russia. It only remained to come up with a reason for a more significant conflict ...

And such an occasion soon presented itself. On June 28, 1914, the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Bosnia. It so happened that the archduke's guards remained at the station, and his personal driver drove “accidentally” in the wrong direction, hitting a completely different street, and got stuck, then, turning, he stopped near the Serbian terrorist Gavrila Princip waiting for them. Franz was immediately killed. However, to start the war, a “Serbian trace” was required, and it appeared.

The terrorist testified against Serbia. Shortly thereafter, he died.

The reason for the war is ready. “If Princip had not made an attempt on the life of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the international supporters of the war would have invented another reason,” says Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich Romanov.

However, Germany wanted to be sure of its victory and was not going to start a war yet.To do this, England begins to convince Germany that in this war she will be "neutral".On July 9, 1914, the German ambassador reported the words of England: "Great Britain is not bound by any agreements in the event of a European war" and wants to "preserve a free hand", that is, neutrality. England misinforms Germany in order for the Germans to declare war on Russia, she (Germany) is constantly shown deceptive English friendliness. Germany believes that Russia will not interfere in the conflict. And even if this happens, then England will not fight.
On the offer of the Russian emperor to collectively influence the Austrians, so that they would peacefully resolve the issue, England, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs - Lord Sir Gray, responds, of course, with a refusal. Because the war between Russia and Germany is beneficial to her.

On July 23, 1914, Austria delivered an ultimatum to the Serbs. It was a European war!
In response to this, the British Foreign Minister tells the Austrians that there will be "damage to the trade of the four powers"! Thus, he subtly hints that Russia, Germany, Austria, France will receive damage, and he does not name the fifth England. England informally promises not to intervene in the event of a military conflict.
Austria is given confirmation that it is time to strike at Serbia, because even in the worst case scenario, Austria and Germany will face Russia and France. Equal forces on each side. From the outside looking in, it's quite real.

July 26, 1914 British monarch George V personally confirms to the Germans that Britain will remain neutral. When one of the German admirals (Tirpitz) expressed doubts about this, the German Kaiser exclaimed: "I have the king's word, and that's enough for me!" Meanwhile, in Britain, by that time, the mobilization of all armed forces had already been carried out under the pretext of planned exercises.

4. England plays two sides.

England acts as follows, on the one hand, she promises and encourages Germany (reports that she will not intervene in the war if Germany does not attack France), Lord Sir Gray is responsible for the implementation of the plan. On the other hand, England convinces Russia that Germany is hostile and dangerous, that Russia must enter the war to defend Serbia.
Further, the English press begins to provoke Germany so that the Germans attack Russia. To do this, they write that "Russia is to blame for the perfect terrorist attack." There is a serious information war going on.

July 29, 1914 Russia conducts a partial mobilization of troops against Austria. Germany is extremely unhappy with this fact, since there is no mobilization on its territory. Berlin demands to stop the mobilization, because its continuation is quite risky, and may force the Germans to similarly mobilize for the defense of the country. Armed conflict can easily start. On the same day, England, seeing the mobilization of Russia, changed its attitude towards Germany, since the Germans had nowhere to go. Britain (through Lord Sir Grey) announces that it may, in principle, go to war if the conflict is not limited to Austria and Russia. The Germans are in complete disarray! Kaiser tears and mosques, curses the British emperor, whose words he believed. And in Russia, meanwhile, mobilization is in full swing ...

Why did Britain say this on July 29?Firstly, this was done so that Germany was forced to fight only with Russia. And secondly, in order to stimulate the outbreak of hostilities. The Germans were pressed against the wall. To fight against England, and in the future the USA, Russia and France, is certain death, war with the whole world. The only way out in this situation is a war only with Russia. However, the Germans are trying to avoid this unnecessary and bloody war with Russia, they understood that this would not lead to anything good, it would be better to convince Russia to conclude a peace treaty.
And on the day when Emperor Nicholas is planning a general mobilization, he is handed a letter from the German Kaiser with a proposal to mediate between Austria and Russia in the negotiations. The Kaiser also asks not to hasten the outbreak of hostilities. In response to this, Nikolai goes to a meeting: he cancels the decision on general mobilization at night. Russia and Germany almost agreed, because without the mobilization of the two armies, the war will not start. In Germany there is no mobilization at all. In Russia, it is partial, but Nicholas I, like Wilhelm, does not want war.

England sees that her plan is violated, Russia and Germany almost agreed to hush it up, the British are doing it so that Russia believes that German mobilization is taking place. July 30 (12.00), 1914 in Germany, an issue of a fake newspaper about the initiated mobilization is published. The Russian ambassador to his country sends two telegrams to this effect with a difference of 5 minutes! (at 13.10 and 13.15) The first reported the news about the mobilization. The second said it was misinformation. The Germans reacted very quickly to the newspaper and informed the Russian ambassador that there was no mobilization. This is exactly what he said in the second telegram. However, the Russian Minister Sazonov (15.10-16.00) does not report the second telegram to Nicholas I. Why? Unknown. In general, the minister insists that there should be a general mobilization ... Nikolai thinks that Germany has begun mobilization, and after the report of his minister, under the influence of this disinformation, begins a full mobilization (July 30, 1914).

Germany at that time had three options:

• Do nothing. Russia can strike at Austria, and if this happens, then Germany will be forced to support Austria, and will have to fight. And since mobilization has not been carried out, the losses will be incalculable.
• Attack France. Then England and, perhaps, other countries will be involved in the war, and this is a “world war”. The hopes for success are very low.
• Attack only Russia as suggested by England.

The Kaiser, unlike Nikolai, was well aware that both of them were severely deceived. He tries to find a solution and does not see it. Once he already believed the "word of the king", so he no longer believes in statements of friendship from Nikolai. Germany is in a critical situation: they have no mobilization, the army is not ready for war, the general staff has not developed a plan for war with Russia, because no one could have imagined that such a situation could happen. The German war plan "Schlieffen" worked out only fighting with France. But the choice was not great: either without a chance to fight with the whole world, or, as England suggested, to fight in the war only against Russia.

On the evening of August 1, 1914, the German ambassador presented Russia with a declaration of war. The UK plan worked great. Ordinary Germans and the General Staff are in shock, they do not understand what Wilhelm is doing. They think he's gone crazy. Chief of the German General Staff Moltke refuses to carry out the Kaiser's order regarding the movement of troops to the east. Moltke warns the Kaiser that if they move troops to the east, they will expose the western borders to France if they attack. The Kaiser agreed with his General Staff. After the tricks of England, he realizes that there is no one to trust.

England once again guarantees its neutrality and the neutrality of France if the Germans themselves do not attack France. This was announced by the head of the Britishministries of foreign affairsGermany through Ambassador Lichnovsky. Also, England acted as a "guarantor of the security of Belgium." This official statement from the British Foreign Office is another way to push Germany into war with Russia only, because in order to attack France, the Germans need to go through Belgium.

In turn, France, a direct ally under an agreement with Russia, is obliged to enter the war on the side of Russia. July 31, 1914 France withdraws all its troops from the border, as " proof of peace". After the declaration of war by the Germans, France violates its obligation under the treaty, stating that: "the government needs the consent of Parliament, which does not give it, because it supposedly does not know about the treaty."

Both France and England support Germany's belief that they will remain neutral if the Germans fight only with Russia, but, despite this, they do not give documentary evidence of this, which could become known to the Russian emperor by opening his eyes. In this regard, France responds rather evasively to the documentary request of the Germans for participation in the war: “France will do what its interests require,” while simultaneously demonstrating feigned friendliness to the Germans in order to push them against Russia. And stay away from yourself. When asked by Russia, the French carry nonsense to the Russian ambassador in Paris, saying that “it is very important for France that its mobilization does not precede the German one for political reasons.”

August 2, 1914 the Germans violate the sovereignty of Belgium for the passage of troops. This violates the plans of Britain and she has to enter the war on August 4 in the role of "defender of democracy". There are still no Russian-German hostilities. This fact cannot be explained by many historians to this day. It is also not clear why Germany declares war on Russia (East of Europe), but is fighting in the west. Why so? The answer is obvious, they can’t, because they don’t know what “thoughts were at that moment in the minds of Kaiser, Nikolai and Sir Gray.”

5. Conclusion

Thus, we see that this point of view presents England as the instigator of the First World War and, of course, the country most prepared for this military conflict. Even before the start of the conflict, under the pretext of planned exercises, the UK mobilized military forces, and then accidentally forgot to disband them. For her, it was a common thing: to destroy states for their own benefit for world leadership. So she did this time, provoking Germany and Russia. This point of view is shared by the German Grand Admiral von Tirpitz. Having learned about the beginning of the war, the old warrior loudly declares: "That's how the old pirate state of England managed to again cause a massacre in Europe ...".

The race for leadership, which during this period was the basis of England's foreign policy, forced this power to once again provoke an international conflict. It was impossible to stop him. Britain's competitors were greatly weakened and relegated to the background.At the cost of huge sacrifices, colossal economic damage, British diplomacy, deftly manipulating both allies and enemies, achieves its goal.

LITERATURE:

S. V. Kremlev "Russia and Germany: play off!"
N.V. Starikov “Who killed the Russian Empire? The main secret of the XX century» Moscow, 2006
E. F. V Ludendorff "My memories of the war 1914-1918"
A. M. Zaionchkovsky "World War 1914-1918"
A. B. Shirokograd "Russia - England: the unknown war 1857-1907"
M.V. Paleolog "Tsarist Russia during the World War"

E.M. Remarque "All Quiet on the Western Front" 1929

A.I. Denikin "Essays on Russian Troubles"

A. Oleinik "The first war for the redivision of the world"