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Germany, Romania and the July Crisis (1914)
Germany, Romania and the July Crisis (1914)

Author(s): Claudiu-Lucian Topor
Subject(s): History
Published by: Editura Cetatea de Scaun
Keywords: diplomacy; war; negotiations; responsibilities; politics; statesman

Summary/Abstract: Of all the European powers involved in the conduct of the Great War, Germany suffered the most as a result of the responsibilities it had. In Berlin, the crisis in July 1914 revealed the behaviour of a small group of decision-takers in government. The Germany of Kaiser Wilhelm had no overview of the development of the war, no military and civilian strategy. No state council validated rationally the critical situation for which, later, the nation was held responsible. The political elite, mainly of aristocratic origin, was indecisive. They were beset by doubts, confusion and petty quarrels. Discussions in late July and early August limited the short-term management of the political crisis. The way this crisis would affect the nation's future was not discussed. Berlin resembled a house without an owner. Balkan politics replaced its aspirations for world domination. Unlike Germany, Romania did not react to the crisis in July with the arguments of a great power. In Romania, the Crown Council, convened in Sinaia on July 21, 1914, decided everything. In modern Romania, few foreign policy debates have played a role as important. At the end of the debate, King Carol I, as a constitutional monarch, had to accept neutrality. He considered that Romania would regret this decision in the future. After July 21, Romania's policy towards Germany changed significantly. After the adoption of neutrality, Romania was de facto outside any contractual obligations. The real heart of the negotiations moved towards the attractions of co-belligerence. For the first time in their recent history, mistrust, lack of hope for the future and instability now characterized Romanian-German relations.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 14
  • Page Range: 263-278
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: English