一戰｜英國蜘蛛

德國與英國對第一次世界大戰的責任

細閱資料A及B

資料A

以下文字是由德意志帝國的大將阿爾弗雷德·馮·提爾皮茨所撰寫，他強調德國海軍實力必須加強。

英國對於美國的冒犯無動於衷，不僅是因為害怕後續可能引發的事態，還因為美國是一個難以對付的對手；而德國正為此付出代價，因為目前我們完全缺乏實質的海軍實力。現在，我們的政策僅僅是以陸軍作為真正的基礎，但陸軍的直接影響僅限於我們的國界之內。越過這條國界，陸軍只能透過從本土施加的壓力間接產生影響。我們的政治家並不理解，在許多情況下，德國盟友價值的關鍵，甚至對歐洲國家來說，都並非取決於我們的陸軍，而是我們的海軍。例如，若俄國和法國在某個議題上與英國對立，我們艦隊的支持幾乎毫無意義。然而，如果英國對政策抱持短視的態度，她寧願選擇把德國當作敵人，也不願面對一個嚴守中立的德國。作為敵人，我們永遠是她眼中極具價值的目標；但若我們維持中立，我們將能以英國的競爭者身份獲得極大的利益。英國人非常清楚這一點。迄今為止，我們的政策完全忽略了海軍實力的政治意義。然而，如果我們希望走向世界，並在海上增強我們的經濟實力，若缺乏一定程度的海軍力量，我們所建設的將只是空中樓閣。

如果我們走向世界，我們將會遇到已經存在的利益，或者未來將被他國主張的利益。這些都使得利益衝突無可避免。如今，1870年的威望早已消退，即使是最精明的政策，如果缺乏能夠反映多元利益的真正實力，又能達成什麼成果呢？海軍實力是唯一具有政治多功能性的力量。這正是為什麼即使沒有戰爭，我們在政治上也總是吃虧的原因。我們必須記住，英國如今很可能已不再相信我們會為了她的利益，派遣陸軍與俄國作戰。另一方面，如果德國必須承擔代價，英國就可以對俄國作出相當大的讓步──例如在東亞地區。這正是我們一旦被捲入俄國、法國和英國之間的衝突時，將面臨的危險。

資料B

以下這張海報於1915年在德國發表。漫畫家將英國描繪成一隻蜘蛛，而這隻蜘蛛正在吞食一名法國士兵。注視著這隻蜘蛛的是一隻德國雄鷹。

原文	翻譯
L’ENTENTE CORDIALE	英法協約
GIBRALTAR	直布羅陀
MALTE	馬爾他
EGYPTE	埃及
CALAIS	加來
BELGIQUE	比利時
TURQUIE	土耳其

(a) 根據提爾皮茨的觀點，為什麼海軍力量十分重要？試參考資料 A ，解釋你的答案。

(3分)

(b) 資料B中的漫畫主要訊息是什麼？試參考資料B，解釋你的答案。

(4分)

(c) 哪一方 ── 英國還是德國 ── 應對第一次世界大戰負上更多責任？試參考資料A和B，並就你所知，解釋你的答案。

(8分)

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 Germany and Britain’s responsibility for the Great War

Study Sources A and B.

SORUCE A

The following text was written by Alfred Von Tirpitz, a grand admiral of the German Empire, stressing a need for an increase in German naval power.

England is doing nothing about America’s affront not only because of what it fears might follow but also because America is an unpleasant opponent; and Germany is paying the price since it currently lacks any substantial naval power. At the moment, our policies only build on the army as a genuine foundation, but the army only has a direct impact on our national borders. Beyond these borders it only has an indirect impact through the pressure exerted from here. Our politicians do not understand that in many cases the value of an alliance with Germany, even for the states of Europe, does not rest on our army but on our navy. For instance, if Russia and France oppose England on a matter, the support of our fleet is of little significance. But if England has a Petite understanding of policy, she will prefer Germany as an enemy over a strictly neutral Germany. As an enemy, we will always be a highly prized object; in the event of our neutrality, we will profit extraordinarily as England’s rival. The English are well aware of this. Up to now, our policies have completely overlooked the political significance of naval power. Yet if we want to go out into the world and increase our economic strength at sea, we will only construct a hollow edifice if we do not obtain a degree of naval strength.

If we go out into the world, we will find either existing interests or interests that will be claimed in the future. These make conflicts of interest inevitable. Now that the prestige of 1870 has faded, how can even the cleverest policies accomplish anything without real power that reflects the diversity of interests? Naval power is the only politically versatile type of power there is. This is why we will always end up getting shortchanged politically, even if there is no war. We must bear in mind that England probably no longer believes we will send our army into battle against Russia for her benefit. On the other hand, if Germany is the one paying the price, England can make Russia considerable concessions—in East Asia, for instance. This is the danger that we will face if we get entangled in a conflict involving Russia, France and England.

SOURCE B

The following poster was published in Germany in 1915. The cartoonist depicted Britain as a spider, and in the cartoon, the spider was eating a French soldier. Looking upon the spider was a German eagle.

(a) According to Tirpitz, why was naval power significant? Explain your answer with reference to Source A.

(3 marks)

(b) What was the main message of the cartoon in Source B? Explain your answer.  

(4 marks)

(c) Who was more responsible for the Great War, Britain or Germany? Explain your answer with reference to Source A and B, and using your own knowledge.

(8 marks)

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Answer