Why did Britain go to war with Germany in 1914?

Anglo- German naval race

A desire to prove themselves after isolation was also shown through the naval race. The Increasing power of the German navy threatened Britain and caused them to build dreadnought a which Germany matched and turned into a race. Between 1871 and 1914 Germany had because huge industrially and it's expanding naval programme threatened Britain. An arms race ensured both countries had the means to fight so it seemed war was inevitable. The dreadnoughts would have protected the English Channel which would have supported France. Although Britain's consideration of French needs was a reason Britain went to war, it is not the primary one.

Intro

Britain went to war with Germany in 1914 because the government was committed to supporting France; Britain had a desire to reassert it's power after coming out of splendid isolation; the Anglo German naval race but most importantly, the treaty of London

Treaty of London

In a long standing agreement with Belgium, the treaty ensured the protection of the small and vulnerable Britain if ever Belgium were attacked. When Germany attacked Belgium in 1914 as part of the Shlieffen plan which meant attacking France through Belgium, Edward Grey, the foreign secretary at the time used this as the perfect excuse to go to war. For Germany, the plan meant not having to fight war on two fronts however due to Britain's long standing agreement to Belgium, they were left with no other option but to go to war and make the German opposition much stronger.

Britain's desire to reassert power after splendid isolation

The threats of London was one of few agreements signed before isolation. Because of growing tensions in Europe, Br had abolished this policy. After years of not interfering in world politics, Britain needed to reassert it's power in Europe and show it's rivals that it was still strong and powerful. This was shown through Britain's support of France during the Moroccan crises in which Britain supported France and solidified links between the nations and against Germany. Britain wanted to prove to the rest of the world and to Germany that despite being in isolation, they were a strong nation who had a strong army.