Chapter Questions for Guns of August
Chapter 6: Outbreak and August 1 – Berlin
1. Describe what events led to the outbreak of the war. What did Bismarck mean when he
said that “some damned foolish thing in the Balkans” would ignite the war? Why is
Germany’s assurance of “faithful support” to Austria referred to as the writing of the
“blank check?” (pp. 85-86)
a. Bismarck is referring to the Archduek Franz Ferdinand's assassination and the
Austrian's desire to use this as an excuse to absorb Serbia - an excuse to go to war
and pull in allied nations. The term "blank check" refers to every avenue that
Germans will support - troops, ammunitions, money, to the point of going to war
against Russia.
2. When Tuchman writes that crowds massed in the streets of Berlin waiting for word of
mobilization of the military “instantly converted from Marx to Mars,” what did she mean?
(pg. 88)
a. Mars refers to the god of War in Greek Mythology. Marx and Mars are obvious
homonyms, a literary device used by Tuchman to convey the public's excitement and
support for the war. The German public is ready to show the rest of the Europe
their military power; they do not realize how dangerous a two-front war could be
(this explains the rather overly excited response - as they "cheered wildly and
rushed off to vent their feelings on suspected Russian spies, several of whom were
pummeled or trampled to death in the course of the next few days"
3. What did the Kaiser mean when he said “The dead Edward is stronger than the living I?”
(pg. 90)
a. The political influence of Edward VII still exerts force as the "encircler" of Kaiser's
expansionistic desires. He blames Russia's mobilization on Edward VII's friendly
relations with the Russia. He may believe that Russia went to war on purpose to try
a two-front war, in alliance with Great Britain and France. He believes that this
completes Edward VII's "encirclement" to close off any great nations against
Germany in the Great War.
4. What last-minute proposal regarding Alsace was considered by the Germans? What
solution did it offer? (pp. 90-91) What did the Germans offer to France instead?
a. Making Alsace an autonomic state as a Federal State => an immediate and public
proposal to make it so. They asked France that she stays neutral in Russo-German
War and hand over the Toul and Verdun Fortresses (openings for French door) for
the time being as a gurantee of their neutrality.
5. What was German Ambassador to Britain Prince Lichnowsky’s proposal as offered by the
English? (pp. 91-92) How did the actual statements of Edmund Grey differ from what was
reported by Lichnowsky?
a. Lichnowsky interpreted what Grey said as an offer by England to stay neutral and to
keep France neutral in a Russo-German War if Germany would not attack France.
The actual statement by Grey was that they would only stay neutral and keep France
neutral if Germany would not attack France AND Russia - undoing the whole Serbian
affair.
6. What did German general Moltoke insist was impossible to change? (pp.93~97) What
ultimately led the Kaiser to allow Moltoke to do as he pleased?
a. To lead the massive right-wing to eastward for Russian to prevent a two front war.
When Great Britain turned down Kaiser's request for British help in keeping France
neutral.