Stokesbury's One More Time Theory

Stokesbury explains part of the reason why the war dragged on so long was due to a ubiquitous “one more time” theory which depicts a peculiar approach for victory. Perhaps more peculiar than the theory is that each consecutive attempt fails in the similar manner as the previous attempt. After many years of “splendid isolationism,” Britain was under threat of losing their dominance and needed to conceive a plan that would ensure the status quo. For geopolitical reasons Britain formed an alliance with Japan, and for pragmatic purposes Britain joined the triple entente. Before and during the war, Stokesbury unveils Britain’s clandestine policies and lengths at which Britain went to protects it pecuniary interests, particularly when it comes to

Britain’s strategy was one of gradual strangulation, slowly tightening the noose in the Baltic regions. When Russia pleaded for support from the stronger allies, Britain’s war cabinet had conflicting opinions and second thoughts but finally decided to send troops into the Dardanelles, not necessarily to relieve Russia from the enemies threat or to send her supplies but rather to expand their power and influence in that region. Not only was entire campaign unsuccessful but it was existentially senseless. Stokesberry points out that regardless of how fierce the political scene was; “it was in the gullies of Dardanelles that men were

Stokesbury seems to imply that the Russians were not only treated unfairly but that World War One set the precedence that Russia was unnecessarily given a bad reputation as a useless nation and unreliable subjects. Stokesbury mentions that the Russian’s were loyal to their stronger allies and “constantly over exerted themselves at the behest of their stronger allies 69.” After the Russians responded to the allies please they would be so worn out that in turn would require help to be reciprocated. Unfortunately, rather than seeing the whole picture the allies regarded them “as all more weak and undependable and as needing direction that… always entailed further sacrifice and further subordination. 69” At one point the allies were ready to try again and of course “demanding further efforts from the Russians.” After the Battle of Masurian, Ludendorff hesitated at a vital moment precisely because he remembered the battle of Tannenberg and how brave the Russians fought. A western liaison wrote home purporting “that little dependence could henceforth be put on Russia 69.” This is such as unfair assessment given the number of causalities on both sides was nominally tied and equally