The Origins Of The First World War

Description

This thoroughly revised edition has been updated to incorporate recent case studies, biographies, syntheses, journal articles and scholarly conferences that appeared in conjunction with the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in 2014. The original version of this work, published by James Joll in 1984, quickly became established as the authoritative introduction to the subject of the war’s origins. Significantly expanded by Gordon Martel in 2007, this volume continues to offer a careful, clear, and comprehensive evaluation of the multitude of explanations advanced to explain the causes of the cataclysm of 1914, addressing each of the major interpretive approaches to the subject, with essay-like chapters addressing the alliance system, militarism and strategy, the international economy, imperial rivalries, the role of domestic politics and the ‘mood’ of 1914. This edition offers an extensive new introduction, a new conclusion (including ‘ten fateful choices’ that led to war), an entirely new chapter on the July Crisis, and a vastly expanded Guide to Further Reading. Covering over a century of controversy and scholarship, The Origins of the First World War is a valuable resource for all students and scholars interested in this major conflict. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents List of maps Preface to the fourth edition Preface to the third edition Preface to the second edition 1 | A century of explanations The Fritz Fischer debate and the new left A new Cold War consensus? Coming in from the cold Re-evaluating Habsburg Austria State-sponsored terrorism? Russia: evil empire or trembling giant? France the forgotten Neo-revisionism, Germany and world power Britain: Brexit and the continental commitment 2 | The July Crisis Austria-Hungary prepares an ultimatum The ultimatum is presented The diplomatic crisis Europe mobilizes 3 | The alliance system and the old diplomacy Alliances and the balance of power The alliance system Britain and the end of isolation The triple entente The alliance system and crisis diplomacy The Balkan challenge to the alliance system Alliances in disarray 4 | Militarism, armaments and strategy The Russo-Japanese War and the Anglo-German rivalry Britain and the continental commitment Franco-Russian preparations The Habsburgs and their allies The Serbian challenge War planning and the July Crisis 5 | The primacy of domestic politics Germany Austria-Hungary: the dual monarchy Russia France Great Britain Italy The ambiguity of domestic politics 6 | The international economy The armaments industry Finance and investment Trade and commerce The economy and war planning 7 | Imperial rivalries Competition for empire The imperial imagination Imperial diplomacy Empire and the European crisis 8 | The mood of 1914 Movements against war Socialism and war Patriotism and nationalism Darwinism and militarism Groups and movements Futurism and war scares 9 | Reconsidering responsibility: 10 fateful choices Measuring actions: 10 fateful choices Further reading Maps Index