#59: 3 August 1914 III - House on Fire
When Diplomacy Fails Podcast12 Touko 2025

#59: 3 August 1914 III - House on Fire

Finally, Sir Edward Grey was ready to make his case to the House of Commons. Parliament had been starved of news for a week, and the press had done their best to fill in the gaps, but the whole country was desperate for an update. What would the government do if the rumours were true, and Germany had invaded France? Was neutrality on the table? And what of Belgium, who was protected by a treaty? How would Grey rally the House to his side, and did it even matter if he could not, since the Cabinet had already been convinced of the need to act thanks to various pressures?


Grey was tasked with answering many of these questions, but there were many that he did not answer, and a surprising amount that he did not say. In this episode we give Grey's speech in the Commons - and the subsequent reactions - their proper attention. In a day suffused with monumental, watershed moments, not limited to Germany's declaration of war on France, Grey's speech represented the public culmination of a struggle which had gone on in private for several weeks. His seventy minute speech set the tone for what was to come, and effectively spelled out that Britain was bound to transform this European war into a world war.


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)

30YearsWar #55: Hear The Lion Roar

30YearsWar #55: Hear The Lion Roar

The Battle of Breitenfeld was a turning point in the Thirty Years War, but equally important was what Gustavus Adolphus chose to do after. In his race to conquer, Gustavus tore down the Rhine, seizing...

13 Huhti 202236min

30YearsWar #54: Protestant Germany Joins Sweden

30YearsWar #54: Protestant Germany Joins Sweden

From the moment Gustavus Adolphus landed in Northern Germany, it was clear that his triumph was impossible so long as the Protestant Electors of Brandenburg and Saxony refused to join his side. Throug...

30 Maalis 202233min

Story Games History: Why YOU Should Be Excited!

Story Games History: Why YOU Should Be Excited!

We are joined today by Ole from Immortal Games to talk about Story Games History.Story Games History is a ground-breaking concept for making history more accessible, both to casual fans, and for learn...

23 Maalis 202245min

30YearsWar #53: Making A Magdeburg

30YearsWar #53: Making A Magdeburg

Magdeburg, the city where the Thirty Years' War changed. As the Swedes gathered in North Germany, and the Imperials moved to counter them, their paths led to Magdeburg, a city on the River Elbe with a...

16 Maalis 202236min

Russia Invades Ukraine - Has Diplomacy Failed?

Russia Invades Ukraine - Has Diplomacy Failed?

Well, he did it. He actually did it. After month of posturing, years of undeclared war, and even longer lying to our faces, Putin authorised Russia's invasion of Ukraine. How did it come to this? Is P...

9 Maalis 20221h 36min

30YearsWar #52: Sweden The Deal

30YearsWar #52: Sweden The Deal

Get your copy of the second edition of A Matter of Honour: Britain in the First World War!In early 1631, Gustavus Adolphus was in desperate need of allies and subsidies. Fortunately for him, Cardinal ...

2 Maalis 202236min

30YearsWar #51: The Swedish Case For War

30YearsWar #51: The Swedish Case For War

Get your copy of the second edition of A Matter of Honour: Britain in the First World War!Check out the Twitter thread on Audiblegate, where I went viral, being seen by nearly 1 million people!In spri...

16 Helmi 202235min

30YearsWar #50: The War In The North

30YearsWar #50: The War In The North

**IF YOU LIKE, FOLLOW THESE LINKS!**1) To support the podcast financially in return for some extra audio content, check out Patreon!2) To find a community of history friends, look at our Facebook page...

2 Helmi 202233min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

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