Second Thoughts on the Second Reich
“Germany is ‘not alone to blame’ for the outbreak of the First World War“ quote from Die Welt
Yes, for too long we have ignored Belgium’s aggression.
Germany did not have a monopoly on belligerence, myopia and stupidity; but it probably was the majority stockholder.
And the blame largely rests on one particular German.
Kaiser Wilhelm II could have been worse. (Consider the German voters’ subsequent taste in chancellors.) Nevertheless, the Kaiser was a bellicose, bellowing moron. It takes an uniquely repellent person to inspire a military alliance between Tsarist Russia and Republican France. Britain and Prussia had enjoyed two centuries of excellent relations; then Kaiser Bill opened his mouth, supporting the Boers, announcing his intention to have the World’s powerful navy, and just being his dangerously insufferable self. Two centuries of amity–and one century of anti-Russian policy ended–and reversed.
Dramatists can be great historians–providing an eloquence that the actual historical figures usually lacked. The British production “The Fall of Eagles” depicts the last days of Imperial Germany; as his Empire collapses, the Kaiser is complaining that he never wanted this war. Hearing of the Imperial tantrum, Hindenburg agrees. “It is true. The Kaiser never wanted a war. He only wanted a victory.”
and that’s when my german ancestors decided to come to the USA..they knew the Kaiser was a nut job-