When Diplomacy Fails Podcast
patreon
#52: 1 August 1914 IV - Desperate Diplomacy
🕑 Added 2025-03-24 11:00:14 +0000 UTCNow that it was clear Germany would have to face the Entente, and likely Britain's imminent intervention, Berlin became much more active in sending diplomatic feelers across Europe. Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire, were all ideal targets. Some were erstwhile allies, others convenient partners, but could they be relied upon now, when the war had become reality?
In St Petersburg, the Russian answer to Germany's ultimatum was finally delivered, even if it took several hours for it to reach Berlin. However Sazonov might try to dress it up - however much editorialising the final meeting between he and the German ambassador endured - one thing could not be denied. Russia and Germany were now at war, and both conceived of this conflict as purely defensive in nature. Each had a point, but neither were able to pull back, and talk increasingly turned from preserving peace to preparing for war, as the desperate diplomacy of all sides did its work.
Comments
When Diplomacy Fails Podcast
Hmmm. I do agree that the tripod of antagonism between Vienna, Berlin and St Petersburg made the First World War. The Tsar's longing for Tsargrad is also well documented, and Russia wanted to maintain its influence in the Balkans, hence it could not abandon Serbia. But I don't think the Kaiser was as pro-war as is often claimed. Only when he felt the personal betrayal of the Russian mobilisation and Britain's misunderstanding did he approve of Moltke's policy. One gets the feeling that he would have been happier with a British alliance and the maintenance of peace, but that he believed - incorrectly I should add - that he had no other choice but to permit the march to war.
Ronald Henry
I think that both Russia and Germany were responsible for the third Balkan war becoming the Great War. Nicholas II wanted Constantinople and Wilhelm II wanted to show he could win a second Franco-Prussian war without Bismarck. What do you think, Dr. Zack?
