Quote Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus View Post
Moving on, Germany is not to be demonized for its role in WWI as Louis advocates. There are numerous countries to blame. Wilhelm II may have had his youthful, foolish ambitions of German dominance, and his actions have certainly contributed to the start of the war (especially his neglect of the Bismark-era skillful diplomacy of alliances and pacts), but there are pages of other arguments. For instance, Russia’s mobilisation was the deciding factor in the actual beginning of the war. Russia could have chosen not to proceed, and let Austria pummel Serbia, but once it started, there was no way back. Germany was obligated to do the same as an ally of Austria. Gavrilo Princip armed the bomb, Austria directly prepared the fuse for the war, and Russia lighted the spark with its mobilisation.

However, Serbia was in the scope of Russia’s interests. Abandoning it and losing influence in the Balkans was inacceptable, not at least because it would drastically upset the balance of power. Not to mention, Serbs are Slavs, of our kin. Nowadays such petty pan-nationalist ideals are a thing of the past, but back then it was a major influence.
Not only blaming Russia, but France also had a role in these mobilizations that Germany looked on nervously. Ironic, since Louis happens to be French. Or perhaps that is why he takes this attitude, who knows.