The War Plans of the Great Powers (RLE The First World War) 1880-1914

The origins of the First World War remain one of the greatest twentieth century historical controversies. In this debate the role of military planning in particular and of militarism in general, are a key focus of attention. Did the military wrest control from the civilians? Were the leaders of Europe eager for a conflict? What military commitments were made between the various alliance blocks? These questions are examined in detail here in eleven essays by distinguished historians and the editor’s introduction provides a focus and draws out the comparative approach to the history of military policies and war plans of the great powers.

1. Diplomacy and War Plans in the United States, 1890-1917 J. A. S. Grenville 2. Naval Operations Plans Between Germany and the USA, 1898-1913: A Study of Strategic Planning in the Age of Imperialism H. H. Herwig and D. F. Trask 3. Imperial Cable Communications and Strategy, 1870-1914 P. M. Kennedy 4. The Revolution in British Military Thinking from the Boer War to the Moroccan Crisis J. McDemott 5. The Royal Navy and War Planning in the Fisher Era P. Haggie 6. Joffre Reshapes French Strategy, 1911-1913 7. A German Plan for the Invasion of Holland and Belgium, 1897 J. Steinberg 8. The Development of German Naval Operations Plans Against England, 1896-1914 9. The Significance of the Schlieffen Plan L. C. F. Turner 10. Moltke and Conrad: Relations Between the Austro-Hungarian and German General Staff, 1909-1914 N. Stone 11. The Russian Mobilisation in 1914 L. C. F. Turner

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