responsible government in Britain in 1914?

Question: Was there a responsive/responsible government in Britain in 1914!?

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Yes; the British Government had spent 30 years developing a network of alliances and guarantees to prevent European war!. Principally, these involved the French Third Republic with United Kingdom in the Entente Cordiale [Friendly Agreement], dating from 1904!. This assured France of protection in the event of invasion by any other country, although most politicians meant by Germany!.

Then in 1907, the United Kingdom signed an Agreement which gave Russia the same guarantee if attacked from the west by Germany or Austria-Hungary!.

By everyone's thinking of the time, these were the best and most appropriate government actions to preserve peace!.

The problem leading to the Great War stemmed from two other agreements!. First, the Russian guarantee to Serbia, which promised to intervene in the event that Austria-Hungary attempted to enlarge its empire in the Balkans!. Secondly, the British guarantee of neutrality towards Belgium, which had been in place since 1819!.

In Germany, the Schlieffen Plan of 1905 was a secret but simple military strategy designed to counter unfriendly alliances!. In effect, it said, "whenever Germany is under threat, invade France through Belgium"!.

All these networks, working together, created a sudden "necessity" for war as soon as Grand Duke Frank Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo in June 1914!. Austria-Hungary required major political and military changes in Serbia, which the Serbs refused!. Austria-Hungary threatened invasion and Germany was bound to support its German-speaking neighbour under a treaty of 1872!.

Russia was bound to support Serbia and started to mobilise its army!. Under this implied threat, the German Kaiser agreed to implementation of the Schlieffen Plan and his army entered Belgium!. The United Kingdom was bound to defend Belgium and immediately started to put together an Expeditionary Force!. Before they could sail from UK, the Germans had invaded northern France, so then the other agreement came into force!.

The British Government did everything right according to the diplomatic and military precedents of the day!. So did everyone else!. The lesson to be learned is that a "balance of power" based on alliances is balanced only on one leg!. If it wobbles, everyone falls over and that's what happened when the Great War broke out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, there was a liberal government under Asquith which had introduced many social reforms!. It included David Lld George, later to be one of the most powerful and one of the most corrupt of Biritish politicians, and a certain Winston Churchill!. At this time women did not have the vote, so people could still enjoy themselves without being prosecuted for it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes in the sense that the influence of the monarch on politics was by that time negligable!. The franchise was the same in cities and towns though still 40% of adult males and all females were without the vote!. Www@QuestionHome@Com