World War One Resource: The Arming of Europe and the Making of the First World War by David G. Hermann

The causes of World War One have been a constant debate by historians since the ending of the war. Militarism and the accompanying arms buildup often appear as a primary cause of the war. David G. Herrmann in his book, The Arming of Europe and the Making of the First World War examines the military readiness and capabilities of each of the primary combatants in the war.

Herrmann discusses several factors including military technology, budget issues, overall strategies, and the diplomatic crises which prompted military tensions. An interesting insight is a link between budget concerns and military needs. All the European powers were reluctant in providing every demand that the armies requested. Each country even Russia maintained a balancing act between their military budget and their overall financial necessities. While Germany dedicated a large part of their military budget to their navy as an attempt at achieving parity with Britain the Germans still did not fulfill every request the army presented. Military readiness began in earnest as diplomatic crises revealed the inability of each nation in mobilizing a fully effective armed force.

            Also significant is the relationship between the military and foreign policy. Each country maintained a sensitivity regarding military readiness as the major powers dealt diplomatically each other. During the Moroccan crisis of 1905 German Chancellor Bulow “checked with the military authorities to satisfy himself of the situation before he moved on the diplomatic front.” (p.52) The French also were aware of their relative military strength in comparison to the German army as they dealt with the crisis. They were also aware that the Germans did not desire a war due to their volatile domestic concerns. While the Germans protested French interference in Morocco, the emperor was disturbed about labor strikes and the actions of the Social Democratic party. War was not worth the accompanying political disturbances that might occur.

            Nations were also sensitive to the military readiness of their allies and the impact this had on the balance of power. During the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, the Russian military suffered a humiliating defeat from the armed forces of Japan. This defeat brought caution to Russia’s allies and raised the issue of the balance of power to the forefront of military discussions. Germany kept a careful eye on Russia as the Russian military slowly gathered strength. The embarrassment for Russia over the Bosnia-Herzegovina crisis caused a shock to the Russians and “provoked a genuine rise in military power that at last began to bring the army close to readiness for a European war, watched by the other European states.” (p.131)

            The land arms race became competitive in 1912 and 1913 in reaction to the Second Moroccan crisis and the Balkan Wars. Germany passed laws in 1912 and 1913 aimed at increasing their land-based forces. France and Russia both viewed the German moves with suspicions and responded in kind. France increased the length of military service from two years to three years as a direct response to the German laws. The Russians began a process of increasing their military armaments in response to the German laws and the Balkan Wars. The Russians though were hampered by inefficiency and an incompetent command structure. (p.195) Russian measures still gave the French confidence in their ally but caused the Germans alarm and convinced them that they faced the prospect of a two-front war. Germany and Austria-Hungary saw themselves as surrounded by enemies. Above all the idea of inevitable war formed in the minds of both politicians and military leaders. As the final crisis appeared with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the inevitable war became a bloody reality.  

https://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Studies-International-History-Politics/dp/0691015953