History 6 Mark on Britain's Entry Into World War 1
Source D suggests that the reason Britain went to was with Germany is because they were the only country which could stop Germany’s increasing power and desire for world domination. This is a main reason why Britain declared war on Germany because in 1908 six year prior the declaration of war, the Naval arms race between Germany and Britain began when Germany began building Dreadnoughts. This threatened Britain as being an island and having the largest empire made them dependent on the navy for trade and transport, so to maintain their empire and navy they began producing even more Dreadnoughts. Even though Britain won the race by building 29 Dreadnoughts to 17 and upholding their superiority over Germany, it created great tension between the two countries and Germany felt humiliated by the loss of the naval arms race and would take any opportunity to attack Britain. If Germany were to win the war thus defeating France, they would undoubtedly gain even more land than they did in the Franco-Prussian war making them closer to France’s Northern border and Britain would be the closest country to attack across the English Channel. Britain knew if they were not to join the war, Germany would have a much higher chance of defeating France and becoming more supreme which would threaten their empire; ‘splendid isolation’ was no longer an option, Britain needed to supress Germany whilst they were not too powerful.
However, this is not the main reason because the Treaty of London guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality and offered military support to that neutrality in the event of invasion was signed by Britain in 1839. Germany put in action their plan of invading France through Belgium on 3 August 1914 as they believed they could take Paris in six weeks via Belgium as it was flat and then have enough time to refuel resources and fight Russia on the eastern front. By invading Belgium they violated the treaty which ensured Belgium’s neutrality, and Britain being loyal to the treaty
However, this is not the main reason because the Treaty of London guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality and offered military support to that neutrality in the event of invasion was signed by Britain in 1839. Germany put in action their plan of invading France through Belgium on 3 August 1914 as they believed they could take Paris in six weeks via Belgium as it was flat and then have enough time to refuel resources and fight Russia on the eastern front. By invading Belgium they violated the treaty which ensured Belgium’s neutrality, and Britain being loyal to the treaty