Global War, Global Catastrophe: Neutrals, Belligerents and the Transformations of the First World War

Global War, Global Catastrophe presents a history of the First World War as an all-consuming industrial war that reshaped the international environment and impacted the futures of all peoples. It is narrated chronologically and available open access, identifying key themes and moments that radicalized the war's conduct and globalized its impact. The book argues that only by integrating the history of neutral and subject communities can we fully understand what made the First World War such a globally transformative event.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The First World War, as chronicled in "Global War, Global Catastrophe," emerges as an all-encompassing industrial conflict that irrevocably altered the global landscape and, in turn, shaped the destinies of countless individuals across the globe. Presented in chronological order and accessible to all, the authors identify pivotal themes and moments that propelled the war's conduct and escalated its far-reaching consequences, impacting both neutral and belligerent societies alike. These include Germany's invasion of Belgium and Britain's declaration of war in 1914, the expansion of economic warfare in 1915, the rise of anti-imperial resistance, the Russian revolutions of 1917, and the United States' entry into the war.

In each chapter, the authors delve into the experiences, perspectives, and behaviors of individuals, communities, nation-states, and empires as the conflict unfolded into a truly global conflict. Above all, the book makes a compelling argument that a comprehensive understanding of the First World War requires a synthesis of the histories of neutral and subject communities. This groundbreaking work provides an accessible and engaging overview of the major trajectories in the global history of the conflict. It offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the First World War, serving as a valuable alternative to existing belligerent-centric studies.

The ebook editions of this book are freely available to the public under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 license on bloomsburycollections.com.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474275859