This brief history of the world's greatest war was prepared upon the
suggestion of the National Board for Historical Service. Its purpose is
to expand into an historical narrative the outline of the study of the
war which the authors prepared for the Board and which was published by
the United States Bureau of Education as Teachers' Leaflet No. 4, in
August, 1918. The arrangement of chapters and the choice of topics have
been largely determined by the various headings in the outline for the
course in grades seven and eight.

The authors trust that the simple presentation here given may aid in
developing a national comprehension of the issues involved in the war;
and they hope it may play some part in preparing the American people for
the solution of the great problems which lie immediately before us.


CONTENTS


CHAPTER

I. EUROPE BEFORE THE GREAT WAR 5

II. WHY GERMANY WANTED WAR 27

III. GERMAN MILITARISM 34

IV. INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE HAGUE CONFERENCES 38

V. INTERNATIONAL JEALOUSIES AND ALLIANCES 48