202503031641 Status: #idea Tags: #world_war_1 #history # Britain's strategic ambiguity contributed to the start of World War I Prior to World War I, Britain wanted to maintain "strategic ambiguity". It had nominal agreements in place with France, but did not make any clear commitments that it would defend France in the case of a German attack. On the other hand, Britain refused to guarantee to Germany that it would not get involved in a European war. Britain thought this ambiguity would allow it to have more strategic flexibility. However, it likely contributed to the outbreak of World War I - Germany was able to go into the war feeling hopeful that Britain would not intervene, while France was able to fight under the assumption that it *would* be helped by Britain. In the end, a clear stance from Britain in either direction likely would have made war unpalatable for one side. [[Britain's decision to fight in World War I doomed the empire]] --- # References [[The pity of war]]