Finding the Middle Ground
Benya Kraus
Period 6 HL History
September 21, 2012
Finding the Middle Ground
1914 is arguably one of the most influential years in human history. Not only did it introduce the world to the practice of total warfare, but it also demonstrated the devastating outcome of rising political and economic tensions in Europe, as well as the inevitable conflict that is rooted in our global anarchic system. Almost a century later, historians continue to study the catastrophic events that occurred in 1914 and one of the most controversial and sensitive topics is the debate on who is to blame for the outbreak of WWI. Many would be quick to point their finger at Germany, including historian Fritz Fischer, who validly argues that Germany was responsible for WWI based upon their nation’s political and militaristic aims to establish Germany as a world power. On the other hand, historian Paul Ritter questions Fischer’s argument, believing that Germany did not intentionally plan for WWI to occur. Both points are valid, yet the truth may not lie on either extreme sides of the spectrum. Rather, the long-term and short-term responsibility of WWI is shared between Germany, the conflictive nature of the world’s political system, and those nation states that exist within such a system during 1914. Therefore, the combination of a precarious political environment and an ambitious militaristic intention and course of action holds Germany highly, yet not completely, responsible for WWI.
The origin of today’s political system dates back to 1648 at the creation of the Peace of Westphalia. After years of living under feudal systems, a treaty was formed that granted sovereignty to nation-states, and thus, organized a political anarchic system that still exists today. Due to the system’s lack of a World Order, nation-states must make decisions that will protect their sovereignty within the anarchy, which therefore, contributes to the extremely competitive nature of world politics.
Period 6 HL History
September 21, 2012
Finding the Middle Ground
1914 is arguably one of the most influential years in human history. Not only did it introduce the world to the practice of total warfare, but it also demonstrated the devastating outcome of rising political and economic tensions in Europe, as well as the inevitable conflict that is rooted in our global anarchic system. Almost a century later, historians continue to study the catastrophic events that occurred in 1914 and one of the most controversial and sensitive topics is the debate on who is to blame for the outbreak of WWI. Many would be quick to point their finger at Germany, including historian Fritz Fischer, who validly argues that Germany was responsible for WWI based upon their nation’s political and militaristic aims to establish Germany as a world power. On the other hand, historian Paul Ritter questions Fischer’s argument, believing that Germany did not intentionally plan for WWI to occur. Both points are valid, yet the truth may not lie on either extreme sides of the spectrum. Rather, the long-term and short-term responsibility of WWI is shared between Germany, the conflictive nature of the world’s political system, and those nation states that exist within such a system during 1914. Therefore, the combination of a precarious political environment and an ambitious militaristic intention and course of action holds Germany highly, yet not completely, responsible for WWI.
The origin of today’s political system dates back to 1648 at the creation of the Peace of Westphalia. After years of living under feudal systems, a treaty was formed that granted sovereignty to nation-states, and thus, organized a political anarchic system that still exists today. Due to the system’s lack of a World Order, nation-states must make decisions that will protect their sovereignty within the anarchy, which therefore, contributes to the extremely competitive nature of world politics.