Did the UK have any options at the start of World War I other than to commit a land army?

by sarah_rslp

I mean couldn't the UK have simply limited their commitment to a naval one? Blockading Germany and preventing the Germany Navy from intervening in the war?

DuxBelisarius

Not really; for one thing, with Britain now at war, the staff talks with the French Army came into play, wherein the British would despatch an expeditionary force to assist them in fighting the Germans. Plus, the immediate reason for British involvement was the Invasion of Belgium, so the British could hardly be seen to sit around and do nothing while there was serious fighting taking place across the Channel.

You also have to take into account the fact that it took until November 1914 for the Blockade to actually be in place, and it wasn't until March 1915 that it became much stronger (and also borderline illegal). The British did not have the time to wait around for two months doing nothing, while their now-allies the Russians and the French bore the brunt of the fighting. It's also important to consider that a more 'material' contribution by the British, ie actually sending ground forces to fight instead of just relying on their Navy while the French and Russians absorbed casualties, would give the British greater influence in negotiations when the war was over.

GodoftheCopyBooks

Given that France very nearly lost the war despite the help of a British army, it's not likely that would have worked out well for them. The only option they had, in so far as it goes, was to make much clearer much earlier that they absolutely would commit an army in defense of belgian neutrality, no ifs ands, or buts. And even that might not have made a difference, depending on your personal perspective of IR theory and the motives of various actors.