ore skill and understanding. Germany’s position in the middle of Europe, or at least between its enemies, and its continued possession of territory that had once been part of France, was what guided its diplomatic actions and war preparations. German interests reflected both their history, and their hopes for the future.Unlike the Russians, German leaders had no misconstrued notions of invulnerability. It realized its position during war would be precarious, possibly having to face fighting on two fronts against several countries at once. They understood that proper use of their forces and keeping England out of the war were key. Despite this knowledge though, Germany managed to take actions which guaranteed their having to fight simultaneously on two fronts and bring England into the war on the side of the allies.Numerous conditions and entanglements surrounded British involvement in a European conflict involving France, Germany, Austria, and Russia. While England was an tenuous ally to France, and Germany considered all actions in the light of preventing British agitation, England was only willing to interfere under certain conditions.The majority of British government and the populace were not interested in a European conflict. Their only consideration was for those who could not defend themselves, such as Belgium. The German violation of Belgium neutrality would be a key as long as France didn’t appear to spark it. This fact was understood by all three of the principle counties and was the reason for the requests for guarantees of Belgium neutrality and the quick recall of mistakenly deployed German troops across the border.Another consideration for the British was their own problems at home. At the same time as the mobilization toward war was continuing, England was having its own problems with Ireland. Civil war was even a possibility and therefore it is understandable why so many found a war that appeared t...
