The Origins of the First World War: Controversies and Consensus / Edition 1

by Annika Mombauer

Overview

The seminal event of the 20th century, the origins of the First World War have always been difficult to establish and have aroused deep controversy. Annika Mombauer tracks the impassioned debates as they developed at critical points through the twentieth century.
The book focuses on the controversy itself, rather than the specific events leading up to the war. Emotive and emotional from the very beginning of the conflict, the debate and the passions aroused in response to such issues as the ‘war-guilt paragraph’ of the treaty of Versailles, are set in the context of the times in which they were proposed. Similarly, the argument has been fuelled by concerns over the sacrifices that were made and the casualities that were suffered. Were they really justified?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138836631
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/09/2015
Series:	Making History
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction
Part 1: The question of war guilt during the war at the Versailles peace negotiations
Part 2: Revisionist and anti- revisionists
Part 3: The origins of the war and the question of continuity in German History
Part 4: Post - Fischer consensus and continuing Debates
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Mombauer (European history, The Open U., UK) explains why the search for an explanation of the outbreak of WWI continues to preoccupy historians and political scholars. She reviews the events that led to the outbreak of war and analyzes the debate during and immediately after the war, as well as addressing reactions to the Treaty of Versailles, the new consensus following WWII, and challenges posed by Fritz Fischer. 5x8.5<">. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"essential reading" BBC History "readable, informative and lucid ... the book [has] a passionate feel that makes for a good read and provides a clear line of argument" Matthew Hughes, Reviews in History

"a valuable and essential analysis that should be studied with care by anyone trying to understand not just the war itself but much of twentieth century historical writing.' Contemporary Review

"Mombauer's book is to be welcomed... [she] manages to provide even the most seasoned scholar in this field with much else to think about."
Gaynor Johnson, Bolton Institute, History

From the Publisher