Intelligence Squared

Britain Should Not Have Fought in the First World War

Apr 2, 2023

In a riveting discussion, historians Dominic Sandbrook, Max Hastings, John Charmley, and Margaret MacMillan debate Britain's involvement in the First World War. Sandbrook critiques the emotional basis of war decisions while Hastings questions the portrayal of Germany as the sole aggressor. Charmley highlights the complex motivations behind intervention, and MacMillan warns against glorifying warfare. They explore the nuanced impacts of British actions, ponder alternative outcomes, and urge careful examination of historical narratives that shape modern foreign policy.

01:35:33

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Reassessing Britain's War Decision

7min

The Consequences of Intervention in World War I

3min

Britain's Dilemma in WWI

30min

Debating Britain's Role in WWI

12min

Debating the Justifications of War: The Legacy of the First World War

2min

Debating Britain's Role in WWI

17min

Debating Britain's Role in WWI

13min

National Interest vs. Moral Principle in Wartime Decisions

2min

10.

Debating Britain's World War One Involvement and Its Consequences

3min

For this week's Sunday Debate, we're dipping back into the archive to 2014, when we gathered a panel of expert historians to debate whether Britain was right to fight in the First World War, a tragedy that laid the foundations for decades of destructive upheaval and violence across Europe. To debate the issue, we invited leading historians Margaret MacMillan, Max Hastings, John Charmley and Dominic Sandbrook to an event hosted by journalist, columnist and national security expert, Edward Lucas.

We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be about. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com.

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