Britain Should Not Have Fought in the First World War

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Filmed at the Royal Geographical Society on 15th April 2014.

The First World War is not called the Great War for nothing. It was the single most decisive event in modern history, as well as one of the bloodiest: by the time the war ended, some nine million soldiers had been killed. It was also a historical full stop, marking the definitive end of the Victorian era and the advent of a new age of uncertainty. By 1918, the old order had fallen: the Bolsheviks had seized power in Russia; the German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires had been destroyed; and even the victorious Allied powers had suffered devastating losses. It was supposed to be the war to end all wars. And yet barely two decades later, the world was again plunged into conflict. Little wonder then that historians still cannot agree whether Britain's engagement was worth it.

For some, the war was a vitally important crusade against Prussian militarism. Had we stayed out, they argue, the result would have been an oppressive German-dominated Europe, leaving the British Empire isolated and doomed to decline. And by fighting to save Belgium, Britain stood up for principle: the right of a small nation to resist its overbearing neighbours.

For others, the war was a catastrophic mistake, fought at a catastrophic human cost. It brought Communism to power in Russia, ripped up the map of Europe and left a festering sense of resentment that would fuel the rise of Nazism. We often forget that, even a few days before Britain entered the war, it seemed likely that we would stay out. H. H. Asquith's decision to intervene changed the course of history. But was it the right one?

[mountedczarina]

No one should've fought in the Great War.

[Rikitocker]

I grew up in an era (1970's) when British Television used to be like this debate, you once had a great many shows that were about discussion, debate and social inquiry ... look at your TV guide today and ask yourself where the dumbing down disconnect finds its origin ...

[lcraver]

My great-grandfather (mother's paternal grandfather) emigrated from the UK to the west coast of Canada in 1912 with his wife and seven children. When 1914 came he immediately got on a train (at his own expense), and a steamer (also at his own expense) to get himself to the Admiralty in London, presented his Royal Navy Reserve commission and asked for a suitable commission. He was given command of a minesweeper and served till 1918 at which point he returned home to his wife and children and got on with his life until his death in Britain in 1936 where he had travelled to witness the coronation (the one that never was) of King Edward VIII. While there he caught pneumonia and was buried in his home town.

My point is that what he did 1914 despite the size of his family was NOT considered the least unusual. That's why my son is named for him today. He was an inspiration to the whole family and was and remains admired to this day. THAT was how people then thought about their country and their duty to it.

[MVK]

The argument she made that Britain went into the war to protect the rights of small nations... meanwhile in Ireland.

[twogamer]

9:20 The chairman stopped the first speaker saying “it’s already 11 minutes”, but this video stamp is only 9:20, INCLUDING the long opening remarks by the chairman himself! The chairman needs a digital watch. 😂

[cspike]

moderator "it's been 11 minutes"... 9 minutes on the video including 2 minutes of introduction. get a new watch dude.

[DanielDuganaperture]

I’m not sure how you can pick out evil and benign empires in 1914, but I agree with those that argue that absolutely nothing could have been a worse outcome of Britain’s decision to join the war than what actually happened.

[PilarCamacho-oski]

The side saying they shouldn't have gone to war was stronger

[takelsnakel]

The chairman should probably have his clock checked. When he said Dominic had talked for 11 minutes it had just been around 7 minutes.

[possumGFX]

There is a certain irony in the notion that Britain of all things cared for the sovereignty of small nations.

[hktk]

The saddest thing of all wars is that unlike the politicians, the people who actually die from the wars often had no decision-making power over the war.

[brianh]

For all of the countries of Europe involved in this war, the real tragedy was the huge number of people lost to death, injury, or illness. Suicides and early death after the war were also staggering in number. Essentially Europe managed to wipe out multiple generations due to the multiplier effect of this war. Then they had the stupidity to commit to another war just a little over a couple of decades later.

[pr]

The first speaker had less than 8 minutes.

[Vermiliontea]

Britain? *NONE* of the participants should have fought in WW1. Particularly not Germany.

[DrAlexNoonan]

There's no way they gave Dominic Sandbrook his 10 minutes

[timpos]

I would like to see these historians debate "The Hittite Empire should not have fought in the Battle of Kadesh."

[ericperkins]

The first guy got screwed out of at least three minutes.

[captainjamesmartin]

The first speaker could not have been at 11 minutes in at 9 minutes in to the video

[seanlander]

Agreed, Britain should have stayed out. France still refusing to pay a penny on war loans is proof enough that it was a thankless task keeping them free of being a German colony.

[JamesRichards-mjkw]

We should have joined the Central Powers in 1914.