Decisions for War, 1914–1917

Decisions for War focuses on the question: why did World War I happen?

Richard F. Hamilton (Author), Holger H. Herwig (Author)

9780521545303, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 December 2004

284 pages, 5 maps
22.6 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.39 kg

'… a vitally important book on this subject …'. Open History

Decisions for War focuses on the choices made by small coteries in Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, France, Britain and elsewhere to address a common yet perplexing question: why did World War I happen? Several of the usual causes for the war are reviewed and discussed. Rather than accepting arguments of mass demands, nationalism, militarism, and social Darwinism, the book shows how in each country, the decision to enter the war was made by only a handful of individuals - monarchs, ministers, military people, party leaders, ambassadors, and others. In each case, we also see separate and distinct agendas, the considerations differing from one nation to the next. The leadership of Japan, the Ottoman Empire, Italy, the Balkans, and the United States are explored, as well as that of the major European countries involved.

1. The Great War: a review of explanations
2. European wars: 1815–1914
3. Austria-Hungary
4. Germany
5. Russia
6. France
7. Great Britain
8. Japan
the Ottoman Empire
9. Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece
10. Italy
11. The United States
12. On the origins of the catastrophe
Recommended readings.

Subject Areas: First World War [HBWN], European history [HBJD], General & world history [HBG]