World War I: The "Great War"

Presents the main themes of the course, beginning with the concept of total war. It also explores other themes that include the role of ideology, the meanings ascribed to the war by different sides and the war's legacy.

Examining the state of Europe and the world before the onset of the war in 1914; the emergence of the German Empire creates strains in the international balance of power; divided among Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia.

Even among those who expect war, there are widespread misconceptions about the nature of the conflict to come; in this lecture, exploring the prevailing ideas and attitudes in Europe; the premonitions noted by contemporaries of coming disaster.

This lecture analyzes the immediate events that lead to war; the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary at Sarajevo in June 1914; the diplomatic chain reactions that follow in the July Crisis.

The hysterical celebration known as the August Madness greets the outbreak of war between the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) and the Allies (France, Great Britain and Russia); how widespread this emotional outburst really is.

This lecture follows the unfolding of the German Schlieffen Plan, which envisions quick victory on two fronts; the French Plan XVII aims to recover lost French territories; both attempts are thwarted.