This is an excellent series on the whole, but it does seem to be deliberately vague on certain critical aspects of Briton's entry into the war. Last night's episode noted that all parties to the conflict, save Britain, thought they were fighting a defensive war. Then it listed a couple of "interests" Britain had in blocking growing German power and in keeping France and Russia happy to protect its empire. In doing so, the show completely ignored the sequence of events that actually caused Britain to declare war on Germany.

Two years prior to the war, Churchill has arranged with the French for the entire French fleet to be concentrated in the Mediterranean with a "guarantee" (in the form of a letter from the Foreign Minister) that Britain would protect the French channel ports. But as the events unfolded that summer of 1914, and it looked like France would support its ally Russia, the British cabinet voted to stay neutral -- even if Belgium's neutrality was violated . The conservative party, in particular, wanted to stay out of the war.

When informed of this decision, the French ambassador went ballistic, and reminded the Brits of their agreement regarding fleet dispositions and their guarantee to protect their channel ports. The liberal leadership then persuaded the conservatives to change their position because of the fleet disposition issue.

Later, the German violation of Belgian neutrality was used to justify the British DOW on Germany. But this ignores the fact that the Brits had earlier decided not go to war with Germany over Belgium. The decisive factor in the later pro-war decision was the British commitment to the French to protect their ports, a commitment engineered by Churchill in order to get the French fleet to move to the Mediterranean.

It is interesting how history is written to protect Churchill's reputation.

How is not everyone posting in this thread?!?!! My god this is about the single most important and influencial war in all history.

owlgore I watch that episode of The First World War(To Arms)yes that episode was great. The show has been on for quite some time.Well anyways they did neglect to mention how Britain came to declare war on Germany. I never knew that they had an agreement with France to protect thier ports, I just knew that since Belgium's neutrality was violated war was declared.

I think that was incrediably stupid for germany to try and get rid of France quick, but through Belgium.

Anyways you gonna watch the next epsiode(Blockade)?

To administration:
I'm fourteen so I have a lot of time on my hands. There used to be a section on on demand which had a section on the miltary channel which had the First world war shows.

Ive been looking there all the time and am starting to wonder if you guys are ever going to put it back?

-Paragon

Oh and what is the name of the book the show is based on?

I agree, First World War is a fine series, with fresh insights and a superior presentation.

It is even better than the book by Hew Strachan.

I watch the show everytime it is broadcast.

I wish more of the Military Channel's programming was up to this calibre.

Man I love the show but not the order they show it in. I watch it every wednesday, but they should show it in order, chronologicly.