A School History of the Great War

This compact textbook offers a straightforward look at the forces that shaped the world’s most devastating conflict. Beginning with a survey of European politics after Napoleon’s fall, it explains how rivalries, nationalist movements, and shifting alliances set the stage for a war that erupted in 1914. Young readers are guided through the major powers' ambitions and the social currents that turned a regional dispute into a global crisis.

The authors then turn to America’s entry, describing the motivations that moved the United States from neutrality to active involvement. Clear language and carefully chosen illustrations help students grasp the human side of diplomacy, military planning, and the early battles that defined the war’s first year. By framing the Great War within its broader historical context, the book equips listeners with a solid foundation for understanding the challenges that followed.