
The Origins of the First World War
William Mulligan(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 4. March 2010
Book
Hardback
266 pages
978-0-521-88633-8 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
Providing a new interpretation of the origins of the First World War, this textbook synthesises recent scholarship and introduces the major historiographical and political debates surrounding the outbreak of the war. William Mulligan argues that the war was a far from inevitable outcome of international politics in the early twentieth century and suggests instead that there were powerful forces operating in favour of the maintenance of peace. His fresh perspective on the pre-war international system takes account of new approaches to the study of international politics since the end of the Cold War and the acceleration of globalisation. Thematic chapters examine key issues, including the military, public opinion, economics, diplomacy and geopolitics, and analyse relations between the great powers, the role of smaller states, the disintegrating empires and the July crisis. This compelling account will significantly revise our understanding of diplomacy, political culture, and economic history from 1870 to 1914.
Reviews / Votes
'A new book is casting doubt on the view that Germany and Austria-Hungary were the chief culprits for the start of the First World War.' BBC History Magazine 'Excellent book ... teems with compelling insights and arresting arguments.' Australian Literary Review 'One must congratulate the author for this excellent work.' Anatol Schmied-Kowarzik, Habsburg reviews (h-net.org/~habsweb) 'This is a cogent, finely presented reinterpretation of the origins of the Great War drawing on a large amount of recent scholarship.' Stand To! The Journal of the Western Front AssociationMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
3 Maps; 7 Halftones, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
560 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-88633-8 (9780521886338)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

William Mulligan
The Origins of the First World War
Book
04/2017
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€104.80
Article not available at the moment
Additional editions

William Mulligan
The Origins of the First World War
E-Book
11/2013
Cambridge University Press
€26.49
Available for download

William Mulligan
Origins of the First World War
E-Book
03/2010
Cambridge University Press
€21.99
Available for download
Person
William Mulligan is a lecturer in the School of History and Archives, University College Dublin. He is the author of The Creation of the Modern German Army (2005).
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Security and expansion: the great powers and geopolitics, 1871-1914; 3. The military, war and international politics; 4. Public opinion and international relations; 5. The world economy and international politics before 1914; 6. The July crisis; 7. Conclusion; Bibliography.