In September 2004 we hosted a three-day international conference, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the start of the First World War. This event discussed the outbreak and first year of the First World War, and was co-organised with the Open University.

Conference organisers were Dr Annika Mombauer, lecturer at the Open University, and Dr Phillips O'Brien, director of the Centre and senior lecturer at the History Department at the University of Glasgow.

The conference was very successful, with many thought-provoking and stimulating papers by some of the leading world experts. We would very much like to thank all who presented and/or attended this event. Your enthusiasm and participation made the conference very enjoyable and successful.

Presented Papers

Plenary Lecture: Hew Strachan

Session 1: The Origins of the First World War
The Debate on the Origins of the First World War, Annika Mombauer
The German Military during the July Crisis, Stig Förster
Kaiser Wilhelm II during the July Crisis, John Röhl

Session 2: Military Reasons for the Outbreak of War
The 'myth' of the Schlieffen Plan , Terence Zuber
The 'reality' of the Schlieffen Plan, Robert Foley

Session 3: Naval Developments and the Outbreak of War
Britain/The Entente, Jon Sumida
Germany/ The Central Powers, Michael Epkenhans

Session 4: The Dual Alliance
The Triple Alliance at the Outbreak of War, Holger Afflerbach
Military planning in Austria-Hungary and the Origins of the War, Günther Kronenbitter

Session 5: Interpretations of the Origins of the First World War
France and the Origins of the First World War, John Keiger
The Prospects for Peace, 1914, William Mulligan
The Triple Entente and the Origins of the War, Samuel Williamson

Session 6: The First Year of the War: The Shock of Combat
The Eastern Front, Josh Sanborn
The Western Front, Bruce Gudmundsson

Session 7: The Reaction of the Home Front
British and German Intellectuals, Tom Weber
British Popular Culture, Adrian Gregory

Session 9: The Reactions of the Neutrals
Scandinavia, Patrick Salmon
The USA, Phillips O'Brien

Acknowledgements

The organisers gratefully recognise the financial support of the British Academy, the Open University, the Scottish Centre for War Studies, and Glasgow University Vice Principal's Office for External Relations & Marketing.

First published: 1 August 2004

<< Conferences