The British and French Response

• Both Britain and France had little interest in the Balkans and were occupied by domestic concerns e.g. the suffragettes
• For days there was intense debate as to whether or not Britain should fight alongside France and Russia once war broke out
• The agreements made with them did not take away Britain’s freedom of action:

  • The secret 1912 Anglo-French Naval Agreement committed France to defend the Mediterranean while the British fleet would defend the North Sea and French Atlantic coast
  • Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, did, however, remind France that the Naval Agreement was not a firm military commitment
• The crucial thing for Britain to consider was whether Germany would enact the Schlieffen Plan and invade the neutral Belgium
• France was more directly involved if Germany decided to fight

  • It was committed to offer military support to Russia under the terms of the Dual Entente
  • Germany was also likely to attack France if they went to war with Russia