The Fall of Eagles: Why the Germans went to war in 1914 and how did they end up losing

In this wide-ranging presentation Prof John Bourne discusses why the Germans went to war in 1914 and what led to the ultimate allied victory in 1918.

Germany's military strategy involved a swift knockout of France before Russia could fully mobilize. This plan, however, required violating Belgium's neutrality, which brought Britain into the war due to its treaty obligations.

Some German leaders, like Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg, were concerned about the growing power of Russia and the potential for closer military cooperation between Russia and France.

Some conservative politicians and military leaders also saw war as a way to achieve Germany's political and colonial ambitions. 

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan: The plan's assumptions proved flawed, particularly regarding the speed of French resistance and the ease of invading Belgium. The German advance was halted at the First Battle of the Marne, leading to a protracted war of attrition.

Fighting on both the Western and Eastern Fronts stretched Germany's resources thin. The war effort placed immense strain on the German economy. A British naval blockade led to food shortages and other economic problems at home. 

By 1918, both the German military and the civilian population were experiencing severe morale problems. The United States' entry into the war in 1917 provided the Allies with fresh troops, resources, and industrial capacity. 

By the end of the war, strikes and demonstrations were occurring in Germany, highlighting the growing discontent among the population. As Germany's situation worsened, its allies also began to collapse, further isolating Germany.