This podcast episode delves into the intricate web of relationships and events leading up to the First World War, beginning with a personal letter from Kaiser Wilhelm II to Tsar Nicholas II that reveals their mutual desires for peace amid rising tensions. Despite diplomatic efforts and moments of optimism, the episode showcases the stark contrast between the Kaiser's wishes and the militaristic attitudes of his generals, ultimately culminating in Austria's declaration of war on Serbia and the rapid descent into conflict, underscoring how individual choices and national interests collided to ignite a global catastrophe.
