#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)

WDF 24: The Spanish Armada

WDF 24: The Spanish Armada

Hello history friends, here we are at last to cover the next aspect of our 16th century narrative: the Spanish Armada. Think you know the story? Have a listen, you may surprise yourself. Today we are ...

1 Elo 20131h 25min

WDF 23: The Greek War of Independence

WDF 23: The Greek War of Independence

Here we are in Greece! This time we look at the worsening diplomatic and social situation that led to the Greek war for indepedence and the general international concerns over what Russia was doing in...

16 Heinä 20131h 11min

WDF 22.5: TALK The Dutch Revolt

WDF 22.5: TALK The Dutch Revolt

SUCCESS! Welcome to the suplementary TALK episode on the Dutch Revolt that myself and my often present host Sean did on a rare sunny day. We hope you enjoy the ins and outs of the detail we go into, l...

29 Kesä 201344min

WDF 22: The Dutch Revolt

WDF 22: The Dutch Revolt

Hello history friends, and welcome to the wonderful story of the Dutch. At times it can get a tad confusing, but in terms of significant events in Medieval Europe there's few that come close to the im...

18 Kesä 20131h 18min

WDF 21: The War Of The League Of Cambrai

WDF 21: The War Of The League Of Cambrai

Welcome to WDF! Our new season starts here, with another war you're likely unaware of, but that is more than likely to tickle your diplomatic fancies. Herein lies the tale of Pope Julius II, ridiculou...

26 Touko 20131h 17min

WDF 20.99: SPECIAL= The First World War Part Ten: TALK

WDF 20.99: SPECIAL= The First World War Part Ten: TALK

Welcome history friends, to the FINAL episode on WW1, episode 20.99 (that's right I ran out of numbers) TALK. This time Sean and I run through pretty much everything in World War One, in my desperate ...

31 Maalis 20132h 12min

WDF 20.9: SPECIAL= The First World War Part Nine: 1918

WDF 20.9: SPECIAL= The First World War Part Nine: 1918

Welcome back history friends, to the final solo episode on WW1: 1918. We look at the Duo's ever increasing monopoly on all things German, and the diplomacy that brought Russia down, as well as the fin...

20 Maalis 20131h 20min

WDF 20.8: SPECIAL= The First World War Part Eight: 1917

WDF 20.8: SPECIAL= The First World War Part Eight: 1917

Welcome friends of history, to 1917 in World War One. This time we cover Passchendaele, America and Russia, as well as the juicy diplomatic bits in between. Hope you enjoy it and perhaps even learn so...

14 Maalis 201356min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

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