#61: 4 August 1914 I - Into Belgium

#61: 4 August 1914 I - Into Belgium

Germany's invasion of Belgium had finally begun. After several anxious days of negotiations, warnings, and second guessing, Berlin was firmly set on its path. But what path was that? War had been declared on Russia and France, and now Belgium was in their warpath, but was their any wider strategy than that devised by Moltke? Indeed, diplomacy continued despite the shattered peace, and Berlin chased after two allies in particular - the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.


In each case they would be successful, but what did it say about German policy that its own ally, Italy, had abandoned her? Condemnations could be lobbed at her from Berlin, but if its own ally wasn't believing the propaganda, that certainly suggested problems were on the horizon for Germany's PR machine. Perhaps that did not matter. If Belgium folded, France was next. But Belgium did not fold. She held out far longer and with far more tenacity than Moltke had expected. It was just one sign among many that the vaunted Schlieffen Plan was unlikely to go off without a hitch, and many more such signs were to come...


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Jaksot(744)

#57: 3 August 1914 I - Illusions and Delusion

#57: 3 August 1914 I - Illusions and Delusion

The German army was firmly in control of German policy, but its next steps were obvious to any contemporary with even the slightest grasp of the situation. The detour into Belgium had been flagged lon...

28 Huhti 202533min

#56: 2 August 1914 IV - Let Loose World Madness

#56: 2 August 1914 IV - Let Loose World Madness

Even as Moltke examined Germany's strategic options, the world was turning against Germany. Berlin pressed its case by pointing out the Russian sins of dishonesty and pre-emption, but was anyone liste...

21 Huhti 202554min

#55: 2 August 1914 III - Lichnowsky's Last Stand

#55: 2 August 1914 III - Lichnowsky's Last Stand

While Germany covered itself in infamy, the German ambassador in London did his best to maintain the fragile Anglo-German relationship. His mission was ultimately doomed, but no one could accuse Princ...

14 Huhti 202546min

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 2

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 2

In this second part of my conversation with Thom, we discuss the unlawful way in which the Trump administration behaves at home, including its treatment of citizens who hold views which the President ...

10 Huhti 20251h 46min

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 1

The State of America w/ Thom Daly - Part 1

In this first of two episodes with Thom Daly, we focus on the United States and its position in the world following the Trump administration's many blunders and betrayals in foreign policy, trade poli...

10 Huhti 20251h 20min

#54: 2 August 1914 II - Britain Decides On War

#54: 2 August 1914 II - Britain Decides On War

The traditional picture of British intervention in the First World War normally comes down to one issue - Belgium. On 4 August, Britain did declare war on Germany. However, before this monumental step...

7 Huhti 202547min

#53: 2 August 1914 I - Into Luxemburg

#53: 2 August 1914 I - Into Luxemburg

The Schleiffen Plan demanded an invasion of the small Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, where German forces would seize key railway installations, facilitating their march into Belgium, and then to France. Of...

31 Maalis 202540min

#52: 1 August 1914 IV - Desperate Diplomacy

#52: 1 August 1914 IV - Desperate Diplomacy

Now 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,...

24 Maalis 202542min

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