Events Leading to World War 1

The ten years immediately preceding World War I saw a succession of crises that eventually led to the global war itself. As those crises occurred, they became increasingly difficult for the European to deal with until the reached the point of outright war itself.

Read about those crises in this section and discover that all the crises falling between 1904 and 1914 were settled short of war. Even though war was averted in each case, each crisis left behind a hardening of the diplomatic system.

These crises engendered an international neurosis. Suspicion, hatred, and fear of the other side intensified year by year. It became only a matter of time before World War I broke out.

Focus on four subjects as you assess the events that led up to World War 1:

1. The four crises that were ominous precursors of World War 1, specifically the two Moroccan and two Balkan crises. How did each contribute to the war?
2. The events that followed the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914
3. Was World War 1 necessary, or was it inevitable? Could it have been avoided?
4. Who was responsible for the war?

Tip:  It began as a regional conflict and escalated into a war of empires that covered the earth. Here for the first time on video is the complete 26 volume CBS News Series, "The Complete Story of World War I" narrated by Robert Ryan. This documentary series is more than just the history of this global conflict, it is also a photo album of the early twentieth century. Meet the men and machines that fought the war and witness every major battle and event of this global struggle. No other collection offers such a complete overview of one of history's most destructive conflicts.  The Complete Story: World War I ... Available from TimeLife Books

The Complete Story: World War I