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These historians believed that war was needed or that it was inevitable,…
These historians believed that war was needed or that it was inevitable
Holger Herwig
He believes that war was the only solution and that it was thought out by men who were clearly experienced and knowledgeable to make the correct decision.
James Joll
James Joll thought that the outbreak of war was made from the decisions of the leaders that were created through capitalism, international anarchy, and alliances. Through those impersonal problems, they had very few options left, leaving them with war.
Sir Max Hastings
Sir Max Hastings thought that Britain joining the European conflict was almost inevitable and that Britain needed to fight back for what happened on August 1st which is when Germany declared war on Russia.
Historians that believe that the war was not necessary
Emil Ludwig
Emil Ludwig wrote that the war was one of the most idiotic wars that could have possibly happened. He also mentioned that the war was nowhere near destined.
Nial Ferguson
Ferguson believed that the war did not help Britain at all and they were the ones who caused it, with the cost of many lives being lost. Even though there was some secret diplomacy, imperialism, and a push of militarism, he still thought that there was no need for war.
John Keegan
John Keegan believed that war was not inevitable. Even with the problems that they had short and long-term and with the need for help from other people that the European economy suffered from. To him, the July Crisis is when they should have paid closer attention to.
David Lloyd George
George was completely confused when the war happened. He says that none of the nations wanted this war either and even if they did, it was not to this scale. Overall, he just felt super confused and thrown off from the war happening.
They believe that Germany was guilty of causing World War I
James Edmonds
Edmonds simply states that the German people were responsible for the cause of war, but the Kaiser could have solved the situation by stopping the war in general, but he did not.
Fritz Fischer
Fritz Fischer had a strong belief that Germany was the reason why war had started, he even wrote a book about their aims in the war. He stated that Germany had a plan to become an expansionist group and that by having a war, he could gain more territory. Also, he said that war could help decrease the threat of socialism which was growing and they wanted to get rid of it.
Ruth Henig
Henig said that Germany wanted to gain benefit through the military as well as diplomatically. The new policy that they created set them up for this and with their wish to become better, they simply made the crisis even bigger and more of a problem.