War Plans, Armaments & Economics
Added 2026-01-06 23:09:04 +0000 UTCPatrons,
I should have added nuclear strike on Great Britain or Patreon's video processing feature deciding to bug out. At one point earlier today I actually thought in the most humiliating of ironies I was going to have to split this into two videos after all just so Patreon could process it! Think it about sums up this video's production. Anyway, I'm very pleased to finally release this.
Timestamps:
0:00: Introduction
7:46 Russia
28:15 Germany
1:02:51 Austria-Hungary
1:27:14 France
2:05:24 Britain
Back to Diplomacy next, which I'll admit feels like a relief. We'll be looking at the final couple of years before the war: The Anglo-German 'Detente', Liman von Sanders Affair, collapsing Anglo-Russian Agreement etc.
Thank you again for all your patience, it really does mean a lot.
Comments
Yeah the economic dislocation is one of the more understated tragedies of the war imo. Imagining how much richer Europe would be without funnelling so much cash into war materiel and debt repayments hurts a bit. Yes, ironic in a way that Tirpitz assumed Germany would eventually force the British to concede because of the latter's democratic(ish) government, when in fact the exact contrary was happening by 1912.
Old Britannia
2026-01-10 13:07:52 +0000 UTCCheers Psycho, really glad you liked it! Yes, my opinion of Asquith ended up far lower than it already was after writing this. Just completely adrift when it came to these kinds of things unfortunately.
Old Britannia
2026-01-10 13:02:34 +0000 UTCThanks Chris! Really glad you enjoyed it.
Old Britannia
2026-01-10 12:58:12 +0000 UTCJust finished the video there. I know it's not the primary focus of the video but I find it so interesting how healthy the economies of the great powers were just before the war. Especially compared to the situation in the run up to WW2. It also makes the naval arms race make even less sense from the German POV. Taking on a much richer empire with such a healthy economy and access to credit was madness. From the German point of view I find it so frustrating that they *knew* their chances of winning a war were slim and yet still embarked on the course they did. One thinks if they had a proper civillian democratic government the whole catastrophe could have been averted. Their chances may have been getting worse but they didnt need to place themselves in an entirely self inflicted "encirclement" and behave so aggressively. Its one thing to start a war you think you're going to win and win quickly but it's altogether another to start a war you dont really think you're going to win.
Lovable Snowman
2026-01-10 00:16:42 +0000 UTCJust finished it . Awesome video . I can see why it took awhile being away from the diplomatic and into the unrelenting world of milatary planning. Im honesty impressed Germany went into the war but the results speak for itself in how well they did till 1918. Russia just being the giant behemoth causing all the terror just makes it incredible how precisent the Salisbury quote on them is. Poor Austria , after visiting Budapest recently I have some sympathy for Hungary concerns but truely they ruined themselves, trianon almost feels justified. Many would say Frances issues show the tribulations of liberal democracy but really its the trials of being French. And for the UK , international law is still the never ending sore that nobody else cares about. In the end I think a better use for a time machine than the death of the mustache man is assassinate Asquith , after a century of titans like Palmerston , disraeli, Gladstone and Salisbury we are treated to the uninterested balfour and Asquith
Pyschohistorian
2026-01-09 22:46:22 +0000 UTCI’ve just finished it. Absolutely lovely. What a wonderful explanation and depth full look at the situation leading up to August 1914. 👏
Chris R
2026-01-09 20:18:59 +0000 UTCThank you, that's very kind. Indeed, I do naturally know more about Britain and there is a wider variety of sources in English for the country. Having said that, the main reason the British section is so long is that I looked at both the Navy and Army's plans, for reasons I hope the video elucidates. Looking at the High Seas Fleets plans just didn't seem all that relevant or interesting by comparison, so Germany's section for example naturally ends up shorter. On 'annoying parasite', yes I see what you mean. I'll make a note to try and change it. As to Italy, I unfortunately don't think so. If I do a WW2 Origins video they will be sure to get a lot of screen time in that, but for WWI the country just isn't that relevant. I'll talk about why they stayed neutral of course when I get to the July Crisis, but outside of that it would just be unnecessarily lengthening an already extraordinarily long video imo.
Old Britannia
2026-01-08 20:00:07 +0000 UTCGreat video! I do find it a bit amusing that 1/3 of the video is dedicated to Britain, though I'm guessing this is a result of previous knowledge and availability of English sources. If there's one thing of note it's that the phrase at 1:18:27 "Serbia remained little more than an annoying parasite" might cause some controversy (if that's something you care to avoid) as people tend to take the most negative interpretation of phrases. As a bit of a sidenote, is there any consideration in making some content on Italy? I understand they're maybe not the most interesting country to look at given the actual impact they ended up having, but there are some interesting aspects such as the imho unfair characterisation of Italy as backstabbers.
Blitcut
2026-01-08 18:11:13 +0000 UTCCheers, it absolutely is worth mentioning, thanks for pointing it out!
Old Britannia
2026-01-07 08:32:27 +0000 UTC1:42:46 - hardly worth mentioning and it’s the first typo I’ve spotted, the word is “optimistic”
c_green
2026-01-07 01:57:54 +0000 UTCread this in his voice patrons for greatest effect
chase
2026-01-06 23:53:52 +0000 UTCA sight for sore eyes. I was starting to worry something had happened.
Blitcut
2026-01-06 23:30:44 +0000 UTCThanks Chris, hope the rest is somewhere near as good! Though I wont blame you if its several weeks before I hear a full review lol.
Old Britannia
2026-01-06 23:20:39 +0000 UTCOnly in a few minutes in and it’s lovely. Well done friend. 🍺
Chris R
2026-01-06 23:18:37 +0000 UTCThe urge to stay up half the night to watch this is overwhelming
Luke
2026-01-06 23:11:29 +0000 UTCRULE BRITANNIA!
Gold_Beenzy42
2026-01-06 23:10:45 +0000 UTC
