The Battle of Stalluponen
Presented by the German Ambassador to St. Petersburg
"The Imperial German Government have used every effort since the beginning of the crisis to bring about a peaceful settlement. In compliance with a wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the German Emperor had undertaken, in concert with Great Britain, the part of mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg; but Russia, without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilisation of her forces both on land and sea.
In consequence of this threatening step, which was not justified by any military proceedings on the part of Germany, the German Empire was faced by a grave and imminent danger. If the German Government had failed to guard against this peril, they would have compromised the safety and the very existence of Germany.
The German Government were, therefore, obliged to make representations to the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias and to insist upon a cessation of the aforesaid military acts. Russia having refused to comply with this demand, and having shown by this refusal that her action was directed against Germany, I have the honour, on the instructions of my Government, to inform your Excellency as follows:
His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German Empire, accepts the challenge, and considers himself at war with Russia."
Germany's Declarion of War with Russia, 1 August 1914
In this declaration of war, it is important to note that the Germans intentions were not to attack the Russian forces all at once, in the beginning of the battle. It is also important to understand that the Germans were focusing on seeking for a way to defeat the French, before defeating the Russians. This plan would later take part in World War I being known as the Schlieffen Plan.
"August 2, 1914: Germany has declared war on Russia. Went swimming in the afternoon"- Franz Kafka
Declaring war on someone is a pretty big deal. Now imagine if you are two of the most powerful, strongest and most prepared students at your school and you declare war upon a nerd who is accused of stealing your World History Text Book since a anti-bully nationalist decided to speak up for all the nerds by stealing the bully´s book. Thats how Serbians felt when they were declared war, and because of this caused the Russians to enter.
Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs to Russian Representatives Abroad
St. Petersburg, July 20, 1914.
"It is quite evident that Germany is now doing her utmost to foist upon us the responsibility for the rupture. We were forced to mobilise by the immense responsibility which would have fallen upon our shoulders if we had not taken: all possible precautionary measures at a time when Austria, while confining herself to discussions of a dilatory nature, was bombarding Belgrade and was undertaking general mobilisation.
The Emperor of Russia had promised the German Emperor that he would take no aggressive action as long as the discussions with Austria continued. With such a guarantee, and after so many proofs of Russia's desire for peace, Germany neither could, nor had the right to, doubt our declaration that we would joyfully accept any peaceful settlement compatible with the dignity and independence of Servia. Any other solution, besides being entirely incompatible with our own dignity, would assuredly have upset the European balance of power by securing the hegemony of Germany. The European nay, the world-wide character of this dispute is infinitely more important than the pretext from which it springs. By her decision to declare war upon us, at a moment when negotiations were in progress between the Powers, Germany has assumed a heavy responsibility."
“Serbia meanwhile sought help from Russia, the champion of Slavic nations. From St. Petersburg, Nicholas II telegraphed William II. The czar asked the kaiser to urge Austria to soften its demands. When this plea failed, Russia began to mobilize, or prepare its military forces for war. Germany responded by declaring war on Russia,” (381).
We used this quote because it demonstrates how there were attempts in stopping the war but failed due to the excessive militarism, nationalism and their alliences which drove basically all Europe to point a gun at each-other. Imagine how almost every single part of Europe was influenced by war, and all the damage which would end as a result of this. Germany is going to have an enourmous debt which will lead to tremendous inflation and be a main contributor to the Stock Market crash and the Great Depression, all consequences of the Great War.