The First World War was an unprecedented catastrophe that pour down gazillion and set the continent of Europe on the route to further calamity two 10 later . But it did n’t come out of nowhere . With the centennial of the irruption of hostilities coming up in 2014 , Erik Sass will be look back at the lead - up to the war , when seemingly modest moment of friction conglomerate until the situation was quick to explode . He ’ll be covering those events 100 years after they occurred . This is the 93rd installment in the series .
1 April 2025: Russia Tries to Enlist British Help Against Germany
The yr pass up the first World War saw Europe separated into two alliance blocs , with the Triple Entente of France , Russia , and Britain on one side , facing Germany and Austria - Hungary on the other ( Italy , nominally allied with Germany and Austria in the Triple Alliance , was actually undecided ) . From 1911 to 1914 a series of confrontations serve to indurate these axis as ally tone up their commitments , prompting their opponents to move nearer together in a rhythm of interminable escalation .
On the Entente side , the Franco - Russian alliance cater the main axis vertebra , bolstered by the more recent and informal arrangement between France and Britain . These two partnership , hinge on France , brought Britain and Russia together gradually and indirectly ; although suspicious of Russia ’s aspiration in Asia , the British realized its importance as a counterweight to Germany in Europe . Thus theSecond Moroccan Crisisin 1911 lead to theAnglo - French Naval Convention , while Russia and France finalized their contingencyplansfor joint military action against Germany , and the French quietlyinformedthe Russians that Britain would likely support them in a continental state of war . Amid thecrisesresulting from the Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913 , French President Raymond Poincaré cheer the Russians to take a fast line against Germany and Austria - Hungary , andvowedFrance would n’t back down in next conflict either . Hisappointmentof the fiercely anti - German Théophile Delcassé as French embassador to St. Petersburg only served to reward the message .
On the other side , during the Balkan crises Germany repeatedlyassuredAustria - Hungary of its full support , even if that meant war with Russian and France , and the nerve - wrackingstandoffwith Russia over Serbian expansion brought home to the Germans the existential threat put by Slavic nationalism to Austria - Hungary — their only real friend . Indeed , key pattern in Germany and Austria sharedfearsof a looming “ racial battle ” between Teutons and Slavs , and from September 1913 onward , Germany ’s Kaiser Wilhelm IIbelievedwar was the only way for Austria - Hungary to address the Serbian inquiry .
In November 1913 , another crisis push Russia and France ( and ultimately Britain ) even closer together . The Turkish government’sappointmentof a German officer , Liman von Sanders ( above ) , to command the Turkish First Army Corps guarding Constantinople triggered seriousalarmin Russia , as it in effect generate Germany dominance of the Turkish capital , imperiling Russian foreign swop ( one-half of which flow through the Turkish straits ) and foreclosing any chance for Russia to conquer the strategical city for itself . And as always in European diplomacy , there was another level to consider : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Sazonov read that the von Sanders delegation was a probe by Germany as it tried to break through the reverence strategic “ blockade ” by France , Russia , and Britain by dividing the friend , and perhaps even turning them against each other . Specifically , would Britain stand by the French and Russians , or was the gallant island res publica reaching the limit of cooperation ?
Sazonov was determined that the Entente would show the Germans a joined front , which meant grow Britain on board . On November 25 , 1913 , he send formal requests to Paris and London for Gallic and British diplomatical support against Germany in the von Sanders Affair , with a warning that Germany was seek to pry the allies apart . On December 1 , 1913 , Sazonov explained to the British commission d’affaires , “ this matter would be a test of the time value of the Triple Entente . He believe that , if the three Powers showed themselves really determined , Germany would not hold on in her intent … ” British involvement was peculiarly crucial , Sazonov emphasized , as “ Germany might disregard remonstrances of France and Russia if she had not also before her fear of the British fleet ” ( a little flattery of British vanity never hurt ) .
Meanwhile Sazonov also enlisted France to put atmospheric pressure on Britain . Thus the Gallic embassador to Britain , Paul Cambon , urged British Foreign Minister Edward Grey to join the French and Russians in delivering a distinction warning the Turks “ that to entrust the Constantinople First Army Corps to a German superior general … would mean virtually handing the keys to the Straits to that Power … [ and ] upset the labyrinthine sense of the Powers which is the guarantee of the cosmos of the Ottoman Empire . ”
At first the strategy seemed to be put to work : On December 2 , 1913 , Grey send the British ambassador to Constantinople a wire stating that ascendence of the straits were “ matters of concern more or less to every Power that is interested in Turkey . ” But Grey then limited himself to call for the Turks to clarify the extent of von Sanders ’ responsibility , including his authority to induct military action . Unsurprisingly Sazonov was annoyed , but leave office himself to taking what he could get from the cagey British .
finally the British would be forced to take a more active role in the crisis , when the situation was more serious . This reluctance to take sides in the early stage of the von Sanders Affair — when a clear-cut pedestal might have deterred the Germans and Turks — follow by belated intervention , omen Britain ’s tragic reluctance and inability to act forcefully to avert warfare in the last weeks leading up the First World War .
See theprevious installmentorall entries .
