1. War as Facts: World War I The Origins, Conduct, and Lessons of World War I Presentation by Tim Borck

2. »What are the origins of the ›Cult of the Offense‹? Do you think this was a decisive factor that led to the outbreak and extended duration of WWI?«

3. Contents 1)Brief history: 1871-1914 2)The Cult of the Offense 3)»Reality« 4)The »Blame-Game« - Conclusion

4. 1) Brief history: 1871-1914 The Alliances 1887 Source: http://www.benoroe.de/kai ser/kaiser_02.htm

5. 1) Brief history: 1871-1914 The Alliances 1914 Source: http://www.benoroe.de/kai ser/kaiser_02.htm

6. 1) Brief history: 1871-1914 Major crises prior to WWI: 1905 – 1st Morocco Crisis 1908 – Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegowina 1911 – 2nd Morocco Crisis 1912/13 – 1st and 2nd Balkan War 1914 – June: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo July-Crisis

7. 2) The Cult of the Offense Core belief: Offense is always superior to the defense In spite of technological advancements favoring the defense »Mind prevails over matter; morale prevails over machine gun« 5 consequences of the Cult (according to Stephen Van Evera): 1)Adoption of aggressive foreign policies 2)Believed strategic advantage to whoever mobilizes and strikes first 3)Devaluation of diplomacy 4)More rigid and provocative diplomacy (»faits accomplis«) 5)Secretive policymaking and military planning

8. Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Schlieffen_Plan_fr.svg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Schlieffen_Plan_fr.svg

9. »What are the origins of the ›Cult of the Offense‹?«

10. 3) »Reality« Imperialism German Example Wilhelm II rise to power  Shift in leadership‘s orientation  Imperialist/Chauvinist German domestic difficulties  SPD and democratic movement  Self-preserving military

11. 4) The »Blame-Game« Conclusion Responsibilty for the war: Germany? Austria-Hungary? Russia? France? Great Britain?

12. »Do you think [the Cult] was a decisive factor that led to the outbreak and extended duration of WWI?«

13. Q&A

14. Sources Scott D. Sagan, “1914 Revisited: Allies, Offense, and Instability”, International Security 11-2 (Fall 1986). Stephen Van Evera, “The Cult of the Offense and the Origins of the First World War”, International Security 9-1 (Summer 1984). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_the_offensive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_World_War_I Pictures: http://www.benoroe.de/kaiser/kaiser_02.htm http://www.benoroe.de/kaiser/kaiser_02.htm http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Schlieffen_Pl an_fr.svg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Schlieffen_Pl an_fr.svg