The Origins of the First World War

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?

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

• Wide-ranging and readable introduction to the debate.
• Distinct approach - provides analysis of the historical controversy surrounding the war, rather than the events itself.
• Embraces the entire chronological sweep of the debate since 1914 - brings reader up to present day interpretations such as Niall Ferguson’s best-selling The Pity of War.
• Introduces sources only available in German to an English-speaking readership - provides reader with access to wider sources.
• Provides overview of the latest literature and international research - reader gets strong framework to take study further.

Expert Reviews

"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

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