In what respect must each of the following share in the war guilt? World war 1
Austria,Serbia,Russia,France,Britain,German
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
To determine how each of the mentioned countries shares in the war guilt of World War 1, we need to consider their actions and involvement leading up to and during the war. Here's a breakdown of the respective countries:
1. Austria: Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, played a pivotal role in the outbreak of the war. Their harsh demands and subsequent military action against Serbia heightened tensions in Europe.
2. Serbia: While Serbia was the target of Austria-Hungary's ultimatum, they share some responsibility due to the fact that several Serbian officers were involved in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. However, the Serbian government condemned the act and offered to cooperate in the investigation.
3. Russia: As Serbia's ally, Russia backed Serbia during the escalated tensions with Austria-Hungary. Russia's mobilization of troops in support of Serbia was one of the key factors that led to the war.
4. France: France had alliances with Russia and Serbia, and when Germany declared war on Russia, France entered the conflict against Germany. They share responsibility due to their participation in the war and their desire to regain territories lost to Germany during the Franco-Prussian War.
5. Britain: While initially not directly involved in the conflict, Britain declared war on Germany after Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium. Britain also had imperial interests and strategic alliances that influenced their decision to join the war effort.
6. Germany: Germany bears significant responsibility for the war. Their aggressive foreign policies, expansionist ambitions, and the Schlieffen Plan (preemptive strike against France) contributed to the escalation of the conflict. Germany's blank check to Austria-Hungary, offering support regardless of the outcome, further exacerbated tensions.
It is important to note that the concept of war guilt is complex, and varying degrees of responsibility can be attributed to different nations involved in the war. The Treaty of Versailles, signed after World War 1, specifically placed the main blame on Germany and its allies, leading to a different distribution of war guilt assigned by the international community.