#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)

WDF 29.75: The Franco-Dutch War XVI

WDF 29.75: The Franco-Dutch War XVI

Welcome to episode 16, wherein we examine the inner workings of the Bourbon plot to make the war great again. Louis attempts to besiege Maastricht, thus enabling me to introduce to you, ever so briefl...

2 Huhti 201732min

WDF Xtra Teaser: March 2017

WDF Xtra Teaser: March 2017

Hello history friends! This is the first of what will be monthly episodes aimed at giving you an idea of what's going on in the world of WDF XTRA and, more critically, whether you think it'd be worth ...

28 Maalis 201720min

WDF 29.70: The Franco-Dutch War XV

WDF 29.70: The Franco-Dutch War XV

Welcome to the terrible world of the FDW! It's terrible because, of course, a certain de Witt is no longer with us. However, we will have to continue on as best as we can, because there's much ground ...

26 Maalis 201734min

WDF 29.65: The Franco-Dutch War XIV

WDF 29.65: The Franco-Dutch War XIV

In this latest episode we are greeted with a scene I haven't been especially looking forward to, but it's a story we must tell if we are to advance the story. Enjoy!Remember history friends, you can h...

20 Maalis 201737min

WDF 29.60: The Franco-Dutch War XIII

WDF 29.60: The Franco-Dutch War XIII

In this episode, as the French invasion seemed to stabilise across its wide front, citizens across the Republic began to speculate whether it was possible that their state may in fact survive the stor...

13 Maalis 201740min

WDF 29.55: The Franco-Dutch War XII

WDF 29.55: The Franco-Dutch War XII

In this latest installment, see how the Dutch, French and British dealt with one another, as the inevitable downfall of the Dutch Republic seemed only days away in the face of a multi-pronged invasion...

6 Maalis 201748min

WDF 29.50: The Franco-Dutch War XI

WDF 29.50: The Franco-Dutch War XI

In this episode the war begins! After the axe so clearly fell on the Dutch, how would they respond or survive in the face of such a terrible onslaught? Find out within! Also you should know that WDF i...

27 Helmi 201741min

WDF XTRA #1: Ferdinand II's Success

WDF XTRA #1: Ferdinand II's Success

Hello! Welcome to WDF's first Xtra episode, which gives you a good indication of what to expect if you become a patron to this podcast, and set us up by bringing us to our 4th goal of $300 a month! If...

23 Helmi 201739min

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