HOW FAR WAS BRITAINS DECLERATION OF WAR IN 1914 A CONSEQUENCE OF HER ENTENTES WITH RUSSIA AND FRANCE?

When the Archduke Franz Ferdinand is shot and the alliances are 'switched on' there was still questioning in the British Government as to whether they would be involved in the ensuing conflict or not. The Ententes with France and Russia did not necessitate military action, they were only understandings and could impose no obligations on Great Britain, but perhaps these ententes resembled alliances by 1914 and Britain felt a real obligation to go to war. This …

…Morley. In conclusion it would seem from all the evidence that the declaration of war on Germany by Great Britain in 1914 can only be superficially attributed to its ententes with France and Russia. It is far more likely the mitigating circumstances that have been explored in this essay are the cause, particularly the rivalry with Germany. The ententes were certainly helpful in legitimising the declaration but were by no means the sole cause of it.