A look at pre-war planning by the German and Russian general staffs, and in particular, the famous “Schlieffen Plan.”
 

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Playlist:
 
Fanfare

Opening Theme

“Ride of the Valkyries” from Die Walküre
Composed in 1870 by Richard Wagner. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Marine Band. Public domain recording. Source.

Farewell of Slavianka
Composed in 1912 by Vasily Agapin. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Coast Guard Band. Public domain recording. Source.

Closing Theme

 

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2016, 2017 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

 
In this episode we examine why the Concert of Europe failed, and how this led to the Great War.
 

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

Closing Theme

 

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2016, 2017 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

 
The July Crisis continues as Germany mobilizes and declares war on Russia and France. With German soldiers crossing into the neutral states of Luxembourg and Belgium, the British Cabinet and Parliament take the decision to side with their entente partners.
 

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Playlist:
 
Fanfare

Opening Theme

Cello Concerto in E Minor
Composed in 1919 by Edward Elgar. Public domain.
Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Public domain recording. Source.

Closing Theme

 

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2016, 2017 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

 
Austria presents Serbia with an ultimatum. The Serbian response is conciliatory, but stops short of complete capitulation. Austria declares war on Serbia. Russia and Germany are poised to mobilize their own militaries.
 

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Transcript.

 

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Playlist:
 
Fanfare

Opening Theme

Symphony No. 6 in B minor, “Pathétique”
Composed in 1893 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Public domain.
Performed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Public domain recording. Source.

 

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2016, 2017 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.