This book summarises the policies, issues and crises that brought Europe to war in 1914. The fourth edition has been revised and updated throughout, explaining 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 and why the peculiarities of the Balkan situation are essential in understanding the outbreak of war. With a updated Guide to Further Reading, Who's Who, Glossary and selection ofdocuments, it is essential introductory reading for all students interested in the origins of the First World War.
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