Before the War

"Before the War" by Viscount R. B. Haldane is a historical account likely written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the policies and decisions made by the British government in the eight years leading up to World War I, focusing on the interplay between Britain and Germany. It discusses the efforts to avert war while simultaneously preparing for the possibility of conflict, illuminated by Haldane's personal experiences and insights as a key political figure during this tumultuous period. At the start of the book, Haldane outlines his intentions to clarify the British government's policy towards Germany from 1906 to 1914, emphasizing the dual objectives of maintaining peace and preparing for potential war. He reflects on the delicate situation the British faced, balancing public expectations for peace while managing secretive diplomatic maneuvers. Haldane recounts significant diplomatic interactions, including meetings with the German Emperor and other officials, and discusses the increasing tensions between the great powers driven by militarism and competition, thereby setting the stage for the catastrophic outbreak of World War I. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Burdon Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane, was a British lawyer and philosopher and an influential Liberal and later Labour politician. He was Secretary of State for War between 1905 and 1912 during which time the "Haldane Reforms" of the British Army were implemented. As an intellectual he was fascinated with German thought. That led to his role in seeking detente with Germany in 1912 in the Haldane Mission. The mission was a failure and tensions with Berlin forced London to work more closely with Paris.