The outbreak of the First World War

Ever since its outbreak in 1914, the causes of the First World War have been one of the major debates in world history. For some it was a war engineered by Germany, and a pointer towards Hitler. For others it was the product of miscalculation, leading to a crisis which, more than any other, shaped the twentieth century. The Outbreak of War approaches the issues from the perspectives of those who grapple with conflicting priorities and vital national interests.