#30: 27 July 1914 I - Britain Tries Diplomacy

#30: 27 July 1914 I - Britain Tries Diplomacy

In this enormous episode, we examine the largely forgotten story of British efforts to resolve the crisis, and efforts at home to prepare the people for what might come next.


Although Austria's ultimatum had expired two days before, there was still room for diplomacy to work, and Sir Edward Grey was determined to give it his best shot. To preserve peace, Grey pressed his conference scheme to the European courts. When this was rejected, he modified his approach, and accepted other suggestions like bilateral Austro-Russian negotiations. Telegrams pinged back to London, reporting on the deteriorating situation, yet Grey held firm to the principle that Britain should not declare itself. She had more leverage, he believed, if she maintained her 'free hand.'


In his very short address to the Commons, Grey alluded to the conference scheme, and stressed the government's commitment to peace, as well as its freedom of action. Yet, he did not reject claims made by The Times and other papers, which emphasised Britain's ties to its friends, and the duty this entailed. He also remained quiet about the elephant in the room - Britain was tied to France, and military discussions between them had secretly bound Britain to French war calculations. This Grey wisely kept quiet from the Cabinet, as a split was inevitable if he did not tread lightly.


This is exactly the kind of deep dive analysis which this podcast is all about, and I can only thank you so much for making it possible!


Support the July Crisis series, join the conversation, and find out more through these links:

  1. Do you want ad-free episodes with scripts attached, and bonus content? Support us on Patreon and you can suggest July Crisis episodes!
  2. Join our Facebook group as we make our way through this fascinating series!
  3. Click here to see our July Crisis workspace in Perlego, you'll find every source you need!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(744)

The Age of Bismarck Wants YOU!

The Age of Bismarck Wants YOU!

As we release our fifth episode of the Age of Bismarck, I decided to take advantage of Patreon's new special offer feature, and give you the chance to get 50% off your first month of support! Maybe yo...

21 Marras 202427min

#36: 29 July 1914 II - Shifty Shades of Grey

#36: 29 July 1914 II - Shifty Shades of Grey

As they had done up to this point, the British continued to try to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis, even as the opportunities shrank before their eyes. Amidst warnings pinged between London a...

18 Marras 20241h 6min

#35: 29 July 1914 I - Hissing Cousins

#35: 29 July 1914 I - Hissing Cousins

The dawn of a new day did not bring any new peacemaking opportunities. In their own way, Austria, Germany and Russia were immovable in their main goal - they would not back down, even if it cost them ...

11 Marras 20241h 3min

#34: 28 July 1914 III - Britain Tries Again

#34: 28 July 1914 III - Britain Tries Again

Although the Austro-Serb War was now a reality, Britain did not know this until the evening of 28 July. In the meantime, Sir Edward Grey was determined to do all he could to make the mediation scheme ...

4 Marras 20241h 4min

Are the Sanctions Against Russia Working? - 'Punishing Putin' by Stephanie Baker

Are the Sanctions Against Russia Working? - 'Punishing Putin' by Stephanie Baker

For two and a half years, Russia has been waging a full scale war against Ukraine. In response, the West has mobilised an economic coalition of states determined to level sanctions against the aggress...

28 Loka 202453min

#33: 28 July 1914 II - Austria Declares War

#33: 28 July 1914 II - Austria Declares War

After weeks of delay, hesitation and complications, Austria-Hungary finally delivered its declaration of war on Serbia shortly after noon on 28 July 1914.This, we are often told, represented the begin...

21 Loka 202449min

#32: 28 July 1914 I - The Kaiser's Conundrum

#32: 28 July 1914 I - The Kaiser's Conundrum

The 28 July 1914 is best remembered today as the point of no return, as Austria declared war on Serbia.However, as we will see in this episode, the announcement of this Austro-Serb war, made in the af...

14 Loka 202450min

#31: 27 July 1914 II - Don't Stop Me Now!

#31: 27 July 1914 II - Don't Stop Me Now!

On this otherwise unassuming Monday in 1914, Austria-Hungary was preparing to declare war on Serbia.The declaration would come the following day, but in the meantime, Germany assisted Austria in keepi...

7 Loka 202444min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
rss-ikiuni
mystista
tsunami
konginkangas
totuus-vai-salaliitto
rouva-diktaattori
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
apinan-vuosi
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
historiaa-suomeksi
rss-peter-peter
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
tiedetta-ja-sirkushuveja-vanhojen-aikojen-podcast
matakuu