Other editions of book The Causes of World War I

The disputes that led to the outbreak of World War I were festering for decades before the first shots were fired. This book examines the long term causes, such as the system of alliances and the arms race, as well as examining the lead up to Franz Ferdinand's assassination which was the trigger for war to break out over Europe. It also provides important insights into the prevailing attitudes and key personalities that led to this devastating war. This book is a clear, well-written, authoritative text packed with useful information, fascinating, thought-provoking photographs, paintings, posters, cartoons and maps. It has a wealth of panels that give biographical details of the major personalities, statistical information, eye-witness accounts and poetic responses to the war. The book ends with a comprehensive date list, glossary and a list of further resources.

The disputes that led to the outbreak of World War I were festering long before the first shots were fired on the battlefields of Europe. Imperial, commercial, and military rivalries between the major European empires had escalated dramatically as each struggled to assert its strength. Meanwhile, the people of Europe embraced nationalist ideas and became increasingly disinterested in compromise or reconciliation. The latter half of the 19th century had seen the development of the strong alliances and deep hostilities that eventually escalated into war in 1914. But why did the politicians and monarchs of Europe believe that war was inevitable? How was the public persuaded that war was necessary? And what events preceded the declaration of war?