Description

Book Synopsis

Origins of the First World War summarizes the policies, issues and crises that brought Europe to war in 1914. Examining the strategic and political problems that confronted each of the great powers and the way in which social and economic factors influenced the decision-making process, Martel discusses the position of each power and their place in the system of alliances which dominated international politics.

The fourth edition has been revised and updated throughout to incorporate the body of new scholarship that has appeared since the hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of war. In a clear and accessible manner, it explains:

  • how and why the alliance system was created
  • how alliances led to a network of complicated strategic commitments
  • how an escalating series of international crises from the turn of the century fuelled preparations for war
  • why the peculiarities of the Balkan situation are essenti

    Trade Review

    "Martel has produced an excellent book; it is well-written, concise and balanced. His clear prose as well as the useful selection documents make difficult and still controversial historical events comprehensible to students and general readers alike. This is probably still the best introduction to the question of why peace failed in 1914."

    David Kaufman, University of Edinburgh, UK

    "Martel’s book, now in its fourth edition, was written with undergraduate readers in mind. Brief, eminently readable, well-researched, and laced with primary source documents, it serves as the perfect springboard for enhanced classroom discussions and student papers."

    Stewart Anderson, Brigham Young University, USA



    Table of Contents

    List of figures

    Maps

    Chronology

    Who’s Who

    PART ONE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT

    1 THE PROBLEM

    The Outbreak of War

    Explaining Causes

    2 THE GREAT POWERS TO 1900

    The Triple Alliance

    The Dual Alliance

    Great Britain

    3 THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

    The Diplomatic Revolution

    The Vortex of South-eastern Europe

    The July Crisis

    4 ASSESSMENT

    PART TWO DOCUMENTS

    GLOSSARY

    FURTHER READING

    REFERENCES

    INDEX

Origins of the First World War

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 15 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Gordon Martel

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Origins of the First World War by Gordon Martel

      Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      Publication Date: 1/18/2016 12:10:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9781138928657, 978-1138928657
      ISBN10: 1138928658

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Origins of the First World War summarizes the policies, issues and crises that brought Europe to war in 1914. Examining the strategic and political problems that confronted each of the great powers and the way in which social and economic factors influenced the decision-making process, Martel discusses the position of each power and their place in the system of alliances which dominated international politics.

      The fourth edition has been revised and updated throughout to incorporate the body of new scholarship that has appeared since the hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of war. In a clear and accessible manner, it explains:

      • how and why the alliance system was created
      • how alliances led to a network of complicated strategic commitments
      • how an escalating series of international crises from the turn of the century fuelled preparations for war
      • why the peculiarities of the Balkan situation are essenti

        Trade Review

        "Martel has produced an excellent book; it is well-written, concise and balanced. His clear prose as well as the useful selection documents make difficult and still controversial historical events comprehensible to students and general readers alike. This is probably still the best introduction to the question of why peace failed in 1914."

        David Kaufman, University of Edinburgh, UK

        "Martel’s book, now in its fourth edition, was written with undergraduate readers in mind. Brief, eminently readable, well-researched, and laced with primary source documents, it serves as the perfect springboard for enhanced classroom discussions and student papers."

        Stewart Anderson, Brigham Young University, USA



        Table of Contents

        List of figures

        Maps

        Chronology

        Who’s Who

        PART ONE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT

        1 THE PROBLEM

        The Outbreak of War

        Explaining Causes

        2 THE GREAT POWERS TO 1900

        The Triple Alliance

        The Dual Alliance

        Great Britain

        3 THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

        The Diplomatic Revolution

        The Vortex of South-eastern Europe

        The July Crisis

        4 ASSESSMENT

        PART TWO DOCUMENTS

        GLOSSARY

        FURTHER READING

        REFERENCES

        INDEX

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