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Source 4 Transcript    Useful notes 
Message from the German ambassador in Britain to the British government on the German invasion of Belgium in August 1914
(Catalogue ref: FO 371/2161)
  FO 371/2161; message on German invasion of Belgium, 1914  
 

How to use this source:

Study this source carefully. There are details in this source that will help you to answer the key question. As you study the source, ask yourself:

  • What is Germany promising to Britain?
  • How does the German ambassador try to convince Britain that his assurances can be believed?
  • According to the message, why have the Germans invaded Belgium?
  • According to the message, was the German information about the French plans reliable?
  • Does this source give any clues about how the Germans thought the British would react to the invasion of Belgium?
 
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