Fritz Fischer, the author, is a well known historian who specializes in WWI and its causes. He deals with each cause and effect thoroughly by finding information on the subject and then breaks it down for the reader to fully understand the subtopic. Fischer points out Germany’s main reason for joining the war was to establish itself as a world power. Germany looked to dominate while the other world powers would do the same in their area. Germany would replace France as world power and would stand among USA, Russia, and Britain. Russia with Germany could be blamed as the starters of the war but Germany’s nationalism helped to ensure that her aims never wavered when fighting the war. Fischer’s thesis could be stated as: Germany was looking to become a world power among USA, Russia and Britain by gaining land France to reinforce the economy, by having Russia depend on Germany for economic support, and by isolating Britain from Europe during the war. Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian Prime Minister, laid the foundations for these policies while Wilhelm I and his advisors elaborated on his plans.

Bismarck was the Prime Minister of Prussia and was also responsible for the uniting of the German Empire. He combined the Prussian military with the authoritarian state of the bourgeoisie. He worked against Austria’s Grossdeutsch Solution to gain dominance of the Empire. Austria’s solution stated that Austria would be in control of the unification of the Empire and its royalty would be appointed to the throne of the Empire. Bismarck countered Austria’s solution with his own, the Kleindeutsch Solution. His solution would have Prussia dominating the throne of the Empire and would have Prussia dominating the unification of the Empire. This solution also excluded Austria from the Empire. This is due to their diversity. They were not “German” but they were a combination of Slavs, Italians, and Magyars. Prussia prevailed over Austria. Austria was not admitted into the Empire and Wilhelm I was appointed the first Emperor with Bismarck as the Chancellor. The policies that Bismarck created during Prussia and during the unification period were brought over to the Empire. He set the foundations for future endeavors for the German Empire. However, the actions that Bismarck had taken while in control of Prussia isolated Germany from the other world powers. The isolation of Germany was a cause of the sides that were chosen during the war.

Germany was facing a three front war when entering WWI. They faced trouble from England to the North, Russia to the East, and France to the West. Germany hatched several elaborate plans in order to combat each enemy. In order to combat the North, they took Belgium. However, Belgium was not a part of Germany on paper. Belgium was independent but if Germany needed aid, the Germans could use the land in Belgium however they wished. Belgium was Germany’s vassal state. This proved very important because Belgium could be treated as a buffer zone to Britain. Also, Belgium offered the coast to Germany. Ports could be made in order to combat Britain to the North. Belgium was the center hub for Germany against the West. The control of Belgium resulted in plans such as the Schlieffen Plan.

The West was mostly dealings with France. Germany took over lands of France and annexed them. The loss of these lands created problems for France. The lands taken were rich in resources that France depended on to run the country. One area taken was Briey. This area was rich in ore. Ore was essential to running the industries of a country. Longwy was also another area taken which was the iron supply for France. The loss of these lands forced France to depend on Germany for resources. France was a weak country so they could not take the lands back by force. Germany created a treaty with France in order to fulfill Frances economy. Germany would offer resources as long as German enterprises would not receive different treatment from the French. All German corporations would be treated equal. This treaty also resulted in the exclusion of Britain from the trade circle.

Germany also found it necessary to take over Luxemberg. Luxemberg provided the corridor to enter Longwy. Germany then incorporated Holland into the Empire. In order to keep Holland happy, they changed almost nothing to their society. This alliance would allow for the cession of Antwerp back to Holland in return for a German garrison at the mouth of the Scheldt. The annexation of these small countries and resource areas helped to make France dependent on Germany.

The battle in the East was more difficult to the vast empire of Russia. Germany depended on military strategies and political strategies to weaken Russia. Through the two strategies, they were able to annex land from Russia. The annexation of these lands resulted in the weakening of Russia due to its losses economically. The land that Germany annexed was Poland. Poland was not independent at this time but was part of Russia at this point. Germany moved into Poland quickly. Poland and the surrounding areas was a buffer zone for Russia. The loss of Poland sparked the war with Russia. Poland was created into the “Frontier Strip.” Poland was “Germanised.” Its people were subject to forced labor and deportation. Germany took control of Russia’s partition and would create a buffer zone to the East.

France on the West Front was dominated by controlling its resource supplies of Longwy and Briey. This happened until Britain was able to send troops into France. Until then, France was subject to Germany’s economic control. The battle to the North was fueled by turned Holland, Luxemberg, and Belgium into its vassal states. This also resulted in turning Belgium into the center hub of battling the North and West. Germany would later invade France through Belgium and Germany also had ports on the Belgium coast. Annexing lands from Russia made it possible to do battle to the East. Germany made it difficult for itself when it made policies that would isolate herself from the rest of Europe but when war was declared, they stayed true to their aims.