McMeekin argues this can still be explained by reference to Russian imperial incentives.

Question

Answer

Pro: Once the war began, the Russian military spent less time protecting its allies in the Balkans and more time fighting against the Ottoman Empire.

Answer

Con: By 1914, Russia had not yet finished its rearmament program. Even if McMeekin's view is correct, it still would have made more sense for Russia to delay for a year or two.

Answer

Pro: He argues that Russia wanted fighting to break out to give them a justification to conquer land owned by the falling Ottoman Empire.

What caused World War One?

McMeekin argues this can still be explained by reference to Russian imperial incentives.

Pros

Cons

Once the war began, the Russian military spent less time protecting its allies in the Balkans and more time fighting against the Ottoman Empire.

He argues that Russia wanted fighting to break out to give them a justification to conquer land owned by the falling Ottoman Empire.

By 1914, Russia had not yet finished its rearmament program. Even if McMeekin's view is correct, it still would have made more sense for Russia to delay for a year or two.

Selected claim, opposing its parent

McMeekin argues this can still be explained by reference to Russian imperial incentives.

Pro claim 1

Once the war began, the Russian military spent less time protecting its allies in the Balkans and more time fighting against the Ottoman Empire.

Pro claim 2

He argues that Russia wanted fighting to break out to give them a justification to conquer land owned by the falling Ottoman Empire.

Con claim 1, children below

By 1914, Russia had not yet finished its rearmament program. Even if McMeekin's view is correct, it still would have made more sense for Russia to delay for a year or two.