FREE ESSAY ON THE GUNS OF AUGUST

THE GUNS OF AUGUST

The Guns of August
Barbara Tuchman's Pulitzer prize-winning book about the start of World War I is a
fascinating and detailed work that delivers the thoughts and actions of the belligerents
and their previously mysterious leaders to life on every page. This military history of
the first month of the war is written in a way as to keep the reader interested because
of the great detail. The author also manages to write about the events in such a manor as
the reader sees them as they happened. Despite any previous knowledge about the
historical events of the war, the book manages to keep you wondering if the Germans will
succeed in its aims.
In Chapters 5 through 9, Tuchman doesn't discuss much about why Germany, France, or
Russia progressed toward war, she pretty much describes it as more of an inevitability
sparked by Austria's affairs with Serbia. She does manage to chronicle the key events,
the people and their decisions of the preceding years and days of the war. Along with the
key events of the first few weeks of battle, Tuchman provides a perspective into each of
the belligerent's strategic aims and goals. These forces that drive each country into war
in 1914 along with a brief discussion of their backgrounds is what follows.
It is possible that with no other country in the twentieth century clearly on the
inevitable road to war has there been as much unpreparedness and complete lack of all
comprehension than that of Russia prior to World War I. For the few years before 1914 and
the start of the war, especially following the embarrassing loss to Japan, Russia
recognized its eminent clash with Germany. The way with which it conducted its
international relations and internal affairs is puzzling to say the least.
It is amazing when looking back on the events and the Russian leaders complete lack of
ability or concern, that revolution took as long as it did. The actions of the Czar were
clearly not in the best interest of his country or himself for that matter. The decisions
he made clearly appeased his ego and were not made by a man who was experienced in
leading a nation through a time of transition. His inability to help in Russian military
development by allowing those who understood what needed to be fixed and what plans
needed to be made are what eventually led to Russian ineffectiveness in the war and his
own downfall.
Russian inability to recognize changing tactics and weapons of modern warfare is
inexcusable but sadly explainable. Because the Czar tended to centralize power and
surround himself with "yes men," he missed the good advice of those in his country who
could have helped guide Russia into war. Some of these choices can also be blamed on
misconceptions of Russian capabilities, and of its military identity. The military
reforms that were not completely halted by inept leaders were otherwise thwarted by the
lack of details with which an army mobilizes and fights. Details were not an important
aspect for Russian pre-war strategy or estimations.
Though the Russian army had repeatedly been proven incapable, there still remained a myth
of its invincibility. This myth tended to be held on all sides based on the sheer masses
of soldiers and not in any way on its tactics or technical proficiency. The government's
inability to effectively manage resources was never fully accounted for by any of the
countries, enemy or ally. 
One of the reasons for French alliance with Russia and dependence on their assistance
against a common enemy was miscalculated military might. France didn't completely believe
the claims quoted to them by Russia, but they did believe in the myth of invincibility
and that even if they could conduct only a portion of their men to the front, the reality
of a two front war was better than facing Germany alone.
Before World War I, the Germans, like Russia, prepared for an imminent conflict, but with
much more skill and understanding. Germany's position in the middle of Europe, or at
least between its enemies, and its continued possession of territory that had once been
part of France, was what guided its diplomatic actions and war preparations. German
interests reflected both their history, and their hopes for the future.
Unlike the Russians, German leaders had no misconstrued notions of invulnerability. It
realized its position during war would be precarious, possibly having to face fighting on
two fronts against several countries at once. They understood that proper use of their
forces and keeping England out of the war were key. Despite this knowledge though,
Germany managed to take actions which guaranteed their having to fight simultaneously on
two fronts and bring England into the war on the side of the allies.
Numerous conditions and entanglements surrounded British involvement in a European
conflict involving France, Germany, Austria, and Russia. While England was an tenuous
ally to France, and Germany considered all actions in the light of preventing British
agitation, England was only willing to interfere under certain conditions.
The majority of British government and the populace were not interested in a European
conflict. Their only consideration was for those who could not defend themselves, such as
Belgium. The German violation of Belgium neutrality would be a key as long as France
didn't appear to spark it. This fact was understood by all three of the principle
counties and was the reason for the requests for guarantees of Belgium neutrality and the
quick recall of mistakenly deployed German troops across the border.
Another consideration for the British was their own problems at home. At the same time as
the mobilization toward war was continuing, England was having its own problems with
Ireland. Civil war was even a possibility and therefore it is understandable why so many
found a war that appeared to have little benefit for them unappealing.
Tuchman helps us understand an interesting time in history when old ways clash directly
with new means of communication and ways of fighting. These few years in world history
are a unique time of unusual people and events that can only be explained in the context
of understanding how much things for these countries had remained the same despite the
changing world around them. After the strategy and plans, the following deployments and
battles would demonstrate this very fact. The Guns of August is a superb narrative
bringing us a key insight into the war that at the time had such great significance and
today has such great historical value.
Bibliography
Tuchman, Barbara W. The Guns of August, Ballantine Books; New York: 1962.