Well, we're all entitled to out own points of view. For example, "who started WWII"? Same can be said of the 1870 Frano-Prussian DoW. In each case, (all 3 cases, including 1914), I think you'll find that technically it was NOT Germany starting war w/ France... but vice versa.
But in modern times, people have it so firmly impressed on their minds that "Germany just loves to DoW and invade France", that if you even suggest the contrary, people automatically disagree w/ you. But no worries, I expected nothing less.
1870: France says, "Oh hell no you don't!" -starts war w/ Germany and promptly gets spanked. Loses the precious (historically German) Elsass & Lothringen area, gets overly sore about it and plots revenge for decades. Works tirelessly to setup diplomatic situation to turn the tables on Germany diplomatically. With decline of Bismarck & rise of Willy II, they achieve it.
1914: The moment France has been waiting for. Finally another chance to tell Germany, "Oh hell no you don't!"... but this time they won't make the mistake of going in alone.
1919: Versailles Treaty, France really gets the opportunity to express their true feelings for Germany. Germany is understandably outraged.
1939: German people have been wanting a national revival, and are seeking to at least reconquer lost German lands, and unite their people/culture. France stands ready to stop them, but a sensible Brit named Chamberlain tells them to stand down. Unfortunately the German people got more than they bargained for by voting in radicals, and Hitler is a pure warmonger. 6 months after Munich, Chamberlain loses all political capital, and is forced (by political powers that are not entire British *cough*) to make the unfortunate, ruinous guarantees. Germany insists on re-taking Danzig, and YET AGAIN France jumps at the chance (not gonna be denied this time!) to say, "Oh, hell no... you DON'T!"
Why can't people just call it like it is? -France has been willing, for many generations (couple centuries, at least) to totally ruin Europe -or whatever it takes- to prevent Germany from eclipsing them. Stupid cultural separation that led to the Germanic peoples outside the HRE to become 'French' in the first place. If they'd all been smart, they would've stayed unified, and dominated the world together... as one. But no, there was too much pride... on both sides of the Rhine. And France was always unwilling to allow their (disowned) brother in the east ever become powerful, as they were. The Germans (east of Rhine, as opposed to the former GERMANS west of it) always tolerated France being a powerful, growing nation. But alas, the 'French' (Germans who tried to become Latins), refused to reciprocate that courtesy. And so now... look at what it's come to. I hope they're happy with themselves.
You wanted truth (OP), that's it. But it's not the Churchillian point of view, so by all means disagree. I've got better things to do than sit around in some Anglo-dominated C-Jerk about how 'evil Germany is'.
Btw, I'm part French, part British, mostly Germanic... but all 'Murican. -And I seriously try to be as objective as I can be. And the constant bias against Germany is annoying. I don't even like participating discussions about the era, because the prevailing bias is so thick, it's like talking to brainwash victims.
