The Origins of the First World War Diplomatic and Military Documents

Annika Mombauer's essential source reader translates, cross-references and annotates a vast range of international diplomatic and military documents on the origins of the First World War. It collects together newly discovered or not previously available in English, drawn from a broad range of sources and countries into a single, indispensible text for students and scholars alike.The volume includes a detailed scholarly introduction which analyses the most controversial issues in the debate on the origins of the War and provides a comprehensive overview of the history of document collections on the war's origins. The documents cover the period 1911-14, with particular emphasis on the July Crisis and immediate outbreak of war. Thoroughly cross-referenced and annotated, these fascinating sources are presented with authoritative commentary, enabling readers to make connections between the documents to illuminate how the decisions for war were taken, and why.This will be an invaluable resource for anyone studying or teaching the origins of the First World War.

Annika Mombauer is a Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the Open University.

List of main characters mentioned in the documentsIntroduction PART I: DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE JULY CRISISIntroduction: 1911–14: The period of 'avoided wars' 1. 1911 2. 1912 3. 1913 4. 1914 PART II: DOCUMENTS FROM THE JULY CRISISIntroduction1. Immediate reactions to the assassination 2. The Hoyos mission 3. Planning the ultimatum 4. Reactions to the ultimatum 5. The machine is in motion 6. Mediation proposals and ultimatums 7. The European War becomes reality BibliographyIndex