Germany was warlike and aggressive in its foreign policy in the years 1899-1914 Essay Example

source 1 claimed only that Germany was protecting herself, Von Bulow was actually largely involved in the aggressive Weltpolitik policy.

So the sources are biased, and can only be used to give the German opinion of the situation. These sources give a reliable account of the Germans opinions, but not of the situation as a whole.Source 6 is neither unreliable nor biased, as it is factual, not giving a point of view or opinion, making it a good source to use. Source 6 can also be used for the other side of the argument, as it shows that Germanys army more than doubled between 1910 to 1914, a huge feat! This supports the idea that Germany was aggressive and warlike.

By making such a considerable difference to her army, it seems impossible to see that it was purely to resist attack.Source 2 supports this statement as it shows the British opinion, portraying Germany as a country with feeling of "distrust" and "dislike" from all European countries. Bertie comments on many aggressive actions Germany have taken, "beaten and robbed Denmark... state of tariff war with Russia" and back-stabbed Austria, but importantly, also plans she intends to forfill, like the invasions of Holland and Belgium.

This can be linked to Source 5, an extremely aggressive poem, urging the German army to "pierce the heart of every enemy... take no prisoners! , and "slaughter.

.. build a monument of smoking corpses". This view would also have been the feelings felt by the German soldiers in the lead up to war. Although this source is extremely aggressive, it is not very significant or reliable because it has been purposely written

to rally the German soldiers when they are already at war and therefore cannot be blamed for having an aggressive attitude.

Along with source 6, source 3 gives an overall view, showing that there is truth to both sides of the debate; Germany was both looking for peace, and was a warlike country.Germany could be very diplomatic and helpful, but as very tight bargainers, if things did not go their way, this would become "intensely disagreeable", selfish, arrogant, and manipulated all countries against each other. It was this attitude that was seen to be aggressive. As it was written in 1907, this opinion did change in the build-up to war, as the relationships between countries grew stronger and weaker.

So in conclusion, the sources give a mixed opinion about whether Germany was warlike and aggressive, or defensive and peaceful in its foreign policy.