Source A: Speech from the Balcony of the Royal Palace, Berlin, August 1, 1914

Wilhelm II or William II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling the
German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the expression of your loyalty and your esteem.
When it comes to war, all parties cease and we are all brothers. One or another party has
attacked me in peacetime, but now I forgive them wholeheartedly. If our neighbors do not
give us peace, then we hope and wish that our good German sword will come victorious out
of this war!

Source B: Speech from Friedrich Ebert (leader of SPD) to the Reichstag, August 1914
Friedrich Ebert was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany
and the first President of Germany from 1919 until his death in office in 1925. Ebert
was elected leader of the SPD on the death in 1913 of August Bebel.
Everything is at stake for our nation and its development towards liberty in the future if
Russian despotism stained with the best blood of its people should be victorious.
It it our duty to ward off this danger, to protect the civilization (Kultur) and independence of
our own country. Thus we carry out what we have always emphasised: in the hour of danger
we shall not desert the Fatherland. In saying this we feel ourselves in accord with the
international which has always recognised the right of every nation to national independence
and self-defence, just as we agree with it in condemning any war of aggression or conquest.
We hope that the cruel experience of suffering in this war will awaken in many millions of
people the abhorrence of war and will win them for the ideals of socialism and world peace
We demand that as soon as the aim of security has been achieved and our opponents are
disposed to make peace which makes friendship possible with our neighbours. We ask this
not only in the interest of national solidarity for which we have always contended, but also in
the interest of the German people.
With these principles in mind, we vote the desired war credits

Source C: Speech from Sir Edward Grey before Parliament on 3 August 1914
Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Bt KG PC FZL DL, better known as Sir
Edward Grey, 3rd Baronet, was a British Liberal statesman.

If France is beaten in a struggle of life and death, beaten to her knees, loses her position as a
great power, becomes subordinate to the will and power of one greater than herself -consequences which I do not anticipate, because I am sure that France has the power to
defend herself with all the energy and ability and patriotism which she has shown so often..
[Loud cheers.] -- still, if that were to happen and if Belgium fell under the same dominating
influence, and then Holland, and then Denmark, then would not Mr. Gladstone's words come
true, that just opposite to us there would be a common interest against the unmeasured
aggrandisement of any power?
[Loud cheers.]
It may be said, I suppose, that we might stand aside, husband our strength, and that, whatever
happened in the course of this war, at the end of it intervene with effect to put things right,
and to adjust them to our own point of view. If, in a crisis like this, we run away
[Loud cheers.]
From those obligations of honour and interest as regards the Belgian treaty, I doubt whether,
whatever material force we might have at the end, it would be of very much value in face of
the respect that we should have lost. And I do not believe, whether a great power stands
outside this war or not, it is going to be in a position at the end of it to exert its superior
strength. For us, with a powerful fleet, which we believe able to protect our commerce, to
protect our shores, and to protect our interests, if we are engaged in war, we shall suffer but
little more than we shall suffer even if we stand aside.

Source D: Speech from President Poincares War message, 4 August 1914

Raymond Poincar was a French statesman who served three times as Prime Minister
of France, and as President of France from 1913 to 1920. He was a conservative leader,
primarily committed to political and social stability.
At the hour when the struggle is beginning, she has the right, in justice to herself, of solemnly
declaring that she has made, up to the last moment, supreme efforts to avert the war now
about to break out, the crushing responsibility for which the German Empire will have to bear
before history. (Unanimous and repeated applause.) . . . Our fine and courageous army,
which France today accompanies with her maternal thought (loud applause) has risen eager
to defend the honour of the flag and the soil of the country. (Unanimous and repeated
applause.)
2

In the war which is beginning, France will have Right on her side, the eternal power of which
cannot with impunity be disregarded by nations any more than by individuals (loud and
unanimous applause).
She will be heroically defended by all her sons; nothing will break their sacred union before
the enemy; today they are joined together as brothers in a common indignation against the
aggressor, and in a common patriotic faith (loud and prolonged applause and cries of 'Vive la
France') .
She is faithfully helped by Russia, her ally (loud and unanimous applause); she is supported
by the loyal friendship of Great Britain (loud and unanimous applause).
1. After reading the following speeches do you think that the governments of 1914 were
intentionally declaring war for political, economic, and geographical advantage?
2. Compare all the sources, A, B, C, and D. Describe what they tell you about the
conflict of Britain and France with Germany at the outbreak of World War One.
3. In source B the phrase the international is mentioned by Friedrich Ebert. Explain!
4. Explain what is meant by the reference the Belgian treaty in source C.
5. Compare again all the sources and explain how each of the national representatives
attempts to justify their own reasons for going into war
Your own perspective:
It is August 1914 and you are a national politician representing Germany. You decide to give
a speech for the German government and people in response to their declaration of war.
Using the evidence contained in sources A, B, C and D, explain your own thoughts and
reactions in a letter to a local news paper.
You will need to bring this letter to the class.