The discontent and corruption of Russia, the discord and decadence of Austrian-Hungary, the Expanionist vigour of Germany, the wish for revenge of France, and the isolationist tendencies of Great Britain - all these factors contributed to the situations which brought about the First World War. The author shows how the factors and factions were interwoven to produce the explosive situation of 1914.

This article is located in the History of the First World War Volume 1 (REF D522 .H58 1969 V.1).