Why We Are at War (2nd Edition, revised)

by University of Oxford. Faculty of Modern History

"Why We Are at War" by members of the Oxford Faculty of Modern History is a historical account written during the early 20th century, in the context of World War I. The text aims to dissect the causes behind the outbreak of the war, detailing the principles believed to be at stake, with a focus on the legal context of Belgium’s neutrality, the alliances formed in Europe, and the failures of diplomacy. The opening of the book presents an introduction and a preface emphasizing the objective of the authors, who, while not politicians, seek to provide a historical perspective on the war based on evidence and key documents. They specifically highlight the significance of Belgium's neutrality as established by various treaties and the impact of its violation by Germany. The authors outline the legal rights of Belgium as a sovereign state and underline the collective responsibilities of the Great Powers to uphold that neutrality, reflecting on the moral and ethical implications of the war. This portion sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the political and diplomatic landscape leading to the conflict, thereby establishing the groundwork for the arguments and analyses that will follow in subsequent chapters.