Testing the Entente Cordiale

In 1905 Germany decided to test the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France. In what was to become the Moroccan crisis Germany challenged France's right to intervene in Morocco. Germany demanded an international conference the result of which was a blow to Germany. Wilhelm II visited Tangier and this only served to upset the British even more.

Britain, France, Spain and Russia all agreed that France should have the right to control the Moroccan Bank and Police. Prime Minister Grey of Britain believed that giving way would be an acceptance of Germany's diplomatic domination of Europe and North Africa.

In 1911 France occupied Fez the capital of Morocco whilst putting down a rebellion against the Sultan. The Germans sent a warship: the Panther to the port of Agadir This was immediately viewed by the British in a very dim light. Britain's worries were that if the French gave way Germany would get access to Agadir, which was a vital port on her trade routes.

Once again though the Anglo-French agreement survived and Germany was warned (in a famous speech delivered in the House of Commons by David Lloyd Jones) that Britain would not accept any interference with her trade routes. Germany was offered a few strips of the French Congo and France received Special Rights in regard to Morocco.

Anti-British feelings in Germany

If Germany had doubted Britain's preparedness to stand by its new found partner, she was no longer under any illusions.

The feelings of being surrounded grew in Germany, as did the gnawing doubts about her ability to build the much sort after empire - at every turn they were faced by Britain. Germany's problem therefore lay in how to deal with her immediate neighbours without bringing Britain into the fray.

Breaking Belgium's Neutrality

The answer to Germany's problems was solved by Count von Schlieffen.

His proposal was to deal with France in a crushing pre-emptive strike swinging through Holland and Belgium in an encircling movement. His argument was that in dealing with France so quickly the British would be disinclined to get involved in something that was already over.

Having dealt with France, Germany could turn her attention to Russia. By 1914 the German Chief of Staff: von Moltke had altered the plan to stay clear of Holland.

The fact remained though that Germany's plan rested on passing her Army through Belgium, a country that by the Treaty of London in 1839 had been declared neutral. That treaty had been signed by Britain and Prussia and following the Franco-Prussian war both France and Prussia had again agreed to recognise Belgium's neutrality.

Thus our look at Anglo-German relations has come full circle. By invading Belgium, Germany gave Britain the excuse it needed to declare war. I can say excuse because there was a general willingness on behalf of the British people themselves to go to war against Germany. Germany was seen as a threat to Britain’s naval power and thus to her empire.

Summary

In many ways Wilhelm II was right to think he was surrounded by enemies who wanted to see his country belittled. His problem was that his own thinking and that of his society, which was in effect run by the Army, could only see an answer through military means. The rise of German military might merely fuelled the uneasiness in Britain. Britons wanted to go to war against Germany in 1914 and Germany's answer gave them an excuse.

Germany trampled on poor little Belgium and brought to a head what had become a bitter rivalry between her and Britain.

	Introduction
	The Naval Race