First published in 1916, this book comprises of a set of notes by G. Lowes Dickinson on his interpretation of the causes of the First World War. Writing during this time, the author admits that a complete comprehension of the causes of the First World War was impossible as no one knew the secrets of the few men who directly brought it about. Dickinson argues that the feeling of every nation about itself and about its neighbours is determined by the history of the past and by the way that history is regarded and, as a consequence, the picture looks different from every point of view. In this knowledge, the author gives his account.

G. Lowes Dickinson

1. Introduction 2. The Triple Alliance and the Entente 3. Great Britain 4. France 5. Russia 6. Austria-Hungary 7. Germany 8. Opinion in Germany 9. Opinion about Germany 10. German Policy from the Decade 1890-1900 11. Vain Attempts at Harmony 12. Europe Since the Decade 1890-1900 13. Germany and Turkey 14. Austria and the Balkans 15. Morocco 16. The Last Years 17. The Responsibility and the Moral 18. The Settlement 19. The Change Needed