To What Extent Is Germany Responsible for World War I and Ii?

To what extent should Germany be held responsible for causing both the First and Second World Wars?



It has long been argued by historians whether or not Germany is to blame for causing both the World Wars. This essay will examine to what extent was Germany responsible for causing both the First and Second world wars. On one side, it is argued that Germany’s expansionist aims brought about both the World Wars, whereas on the other side, it is said that Germany should not be held responsible for either of the World Wars because of the context both pre-war times. In focus, this essay will assess Germany’s expansionist policies (Weltpolitik for WWI, Lebensraum for WWII) led to the World Wars, and in contrast, examine the role of the alliance system in causing WWI, and instability of the inter-war period for WWII. It will then be conclusively argued that Germany should be held responsible for the First World War to a large extent, whereas only to a limited extent for Second World Wars.



Germany was responsible for the WWI because Germany wanted a war to achieve its expansionist aims (weltpolitik) and deliberately caused it. This aggressive policy brought about the war because it was responsible for several major diplomatic crises that would eventually lead to war. Examples of these crises are the First Moroccan crisis of 1905-6, the Bosnian crisis of 1908-9, and the Second Moroccan Crisis of 1911. In detail of the First Moroccan Crisis, Germany’s Weltpolitik (world policy) made the German’s dissatisfied with its exclusion from world affairs thus intervened when France was given a free hand in Morocco. This example clearly shows that the provocative and deliberate aims of Germany’s expansionist world policy, inevitably led to the atmosphere of mutual antagonism in Europe which made diplomatic maneuvers for peace impossible and therefore, paved the way for war. Furthermore, Germany’s desire for war is reflected in the blank cheque given to...