Influenced by its own political and diplomatic alignments, Germany interpreted Russia's alliance-driven acts as aggressive gestures against German allies (Lieven 105). Since the formation of the unified German state, an alliance had existed with Austria-Hungary. Due to this alliance, Germany gave Russia twelve hours to demobilize its troops or else face consequences. Russia declined, and Germany declared war on Russia. Due to its actions, it is clear that Germany felt that Russia should not have intervened in a dispute it viewed to be between Austria-Hungary and Serbia (Sheffield). It was only after Russia entered the picture to defend its ally that Germany entered to defend that of its own.
While the consideration of the commitments to other nations made by both itself and Russia played an important role in Germany's entry, the latter country was struck by its own wave of nationalism in the years leading up to the war (Martel 157). As Ferrara wrote of German leaders, "All were swept away by an avalanche of resurging patriotism, more sanguinary today than ever in past centuries," (Ferrara 62). This increased national pride and elitism amongst both the German leadership and populace was certainly a major factor in Germany's entry into the First World War.
In summary, Russia entered the Great War with the dual rationale of an alliance with Serbia and a great craving for victory. Germany did not accept this reasons as sufficient, and declared war on Russia after they refused to demobilize (Kelly). All things considered, the first part of Russia's reasoning seems sufficient for a declaration of war; the second seems irresponsible. In its own interest, a nation should always protect its allies. When a country severs an alliance, they are liable to be dooming themselves. This scenario played out during the aforementioned Crimean War, when Austria broke its alliance with Russia to align itself with Britain and France. In consequence, the state that was then Austria was essentially liquidated. It was merged into the Austria-Hungary empire, and was became aligned with countries such as Germany with which they historically had been at odds. While the alliance was an adequate reason to enter the war, the nationalism that was obviously also very much behind the decision was not. When a country's leader cannot successfully harness the nationalistic feelings in his or her nation, chaos and downfall can easily follow. In fact, these emotions got far out of hand in the midst of the war they possibly helped cause when the Russian Revolution took place in 1917.
Had Czar Nicholas II found a way to adequately appease his subjects, his government may not have been overthrown. In conclusion, Russia's involvement in World War I was correctly justified; however, some of the reasoning used to provide a rationale was not. Serbia deserved to be protected, but the people of Russia deserved to not be put in harm's way due to emotion taking hold of the general's reins.
