A+web+of+Alliances

=A Web of Alliances= media type="custom" key="9391032"
 * Source A.** The Punch cartoon 'The Vortex" (above) helps us understand how the complex web of European alliances that existed at the beginning of the 20th Century were a factor in the outbreak of war. The cartoon shows the European powers being drawn in to the Balkan conflict taking place at the time. The **date** is one of the most interesting aspects of this cartoon, being published in 1912 it seems to predict with some accuracy the events of 1914. We can therefore consider it a reliable indictor of the factors at play in international relations at the time. Also, while a British cartoon, the **tone** of the piece is neutral, with Britain being shown as being amongst the nations drawn into the vortex. This adds to the relaibility of the source.


 * Source B**. A secret letter from the German Chancellor to the Austrian Foreign Minister dated February 1913 notes that action by Austria Hungary against Serbia would be impossible for Russia to ignore. It goes on to state that Russian intervention would lead to a wholsale war between the two alliance blocs that had formed. While the **origin** of this source, being a confidential letter from a high authority, makes it a reliable indicator of high level German thinking, we do need to consider the Chancellor's intended **audience** in writing it. He may have been seeking to persuade the Austro-Hungarians to a particular course of action.

Some historians (such as Martel and Prior) argue that these alliances were not strictly binding. The example of Italy is often used, as Italy did not go to war as part of the triple alliance even though it was a signatory. On the other hand writers such as Joll suggest that Germany found itself wedged between an aligned and hostile France and Russia, so that any ally, even Austria Hungary, was valued. Therefore it can be concluded that while the failure to maintain the alliance forged by Bismarck with Russia is a error on the part of the Germans, it is not enough of a reason to lay the blame for war with Germany. Germany was isolated diplomatically and therefore fearful. If Germany is to be blamed for war it would have to be for reasons other than the network of alliances discussed here.
 * Conclusions.**The network of alliances which were supposed to preserve peace actually helped drag nations into war. This was something that could have been anticipated by the major powers. Source A shows that there was a degree of public awareness in 1912 that intersecting national interests could lead to tension and conflict. Source B shows that there was high level awareness of this within the German government. The fact that Germany maintained its alliance with Austria- Hungary, in the full knowledge of the war that it might bring shows a recklessness of the part of Germany that may contribute to its war guilt.