Blewett, D. K. (2001). The great world war, 1914-45. vol. 1: Lightning strikes twice. Library Journal, 126(6), 114-114. Retrieved June 5, 2012, from Proquest database. (Document ID: 196847014).
The journal focuses on analysing the wars that occurred between 1914 and 1945; both World War 1 and 2. Leaders in the two wars are also analysed and compared, including Churchill, Hitler, Lloyd George, and the Kaiser. In the journal, World War one was differentiated as relatively stable, but a deadly one compared to World War II, which had a larger geography, troops, and mobile operations.
The source was very useful in determining the triggers of wars, and why World War I was deadly yet being fought in the trenches. It also provided insight into the leadership of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and how they instigated the War through demands on Serbia to pay for assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The journal fits well into my research as it provides a personal account and insinuations of events and causes that led to World War 1. Furthermore, it has proved that the War began as a revenge mission and control of pieces of territories in Europe. Therefore, the source can be used in obtaining personal thoughts and behavioural explanations of leaders involved in the war.
Chadwick, E. (2007). The impossibility of maritime neutrality during World War 1. Netherlands International Law Review, 54(2), 337-360. Retrieved June 5, 2012, from Proquest database. (Document ID: 220384503)
The journal highlights the great efforts that were done in 1907 and 1909 in Hague and London to conform maritime rules. The rules were that no sea vessel would be attacked because of any reason, even because of War. This was to keep pace with the industrial competition that was taking place during the time. However, the neutrality ceased to exist during the war because of the Baralong incident in 1915. In the incident, a German submarine was sunk by a British Q-ship.
The journal was useful in showing how the sea was held as a crucial avenue of supply of food, machinery, and other trade goods. The source was objective and it has highlighted the history and importance of the sea before the War and that compromise of its neutrality accelerated the War.
Therefore, the source fits in the research as it provides insight into how maritime warfare and its rules shaped the war. Even involvement of America in the war was because of restriction of American ships in the seas, which affected its trade. Hence, the source shaped my argument that the Baralong incident changed the neutrality status of maritime laws and ultimately resulted in more participants in the war.
Levinson, M. H. (2005). Mapping the Causes of World War I to Avoid Armageddon Today. ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 62(2), 157-164. Retrieved 6th June, 2012, from EBSCOHost database. (Document ID: 16813393)
The review digs deeper into causes of world war one and tries to relate it to the present situations of Middle East conflicts. The source highlights that what was supposed to be a conflict between the accused (Serbia) and accuser (Austria-Hungary) on assassination of Archduke Franz, resulted in a war that drew all their allies. Other factors of the war are also brought out, which include antagonism of Japan and Russia, hostility in the Balkans between Italy and Turkey, and Germany being in a Flux since many soviets had been elected to the Reichstag in 1912.
This source is very objective as it shows a deeper account on the causes of the Great War, other theories that contributed to escalation of the war, and its comparison to present day alliances and conflicts.
Therefore, it is a very crucial source in documenting each and every step that led to the Great War. Furthermore, it has helped shape my argument that a simple conflict between two nations—Serbia and Austro-Hungary—resulted in a global war pitting each other’s rivals. The source can be used in the research to show how allies have a duty to fight for an ally despite how small the conflict is.
Miles, L. (2001). The Irish famine: The birth of Irish America / assassination of Sarajevo: The trigger for world war I. School Library Journal, 47(7), 116-117. Retrieved June 5, 2012, from Proquest database. (Document ID: 211728743)
The journal contains many books which are reviewed. However, the most relevant is the assassination of Sarajevo. The review discusses events up to the eve of World War 1. Alliances during the war are clearly discussed. Furthermore, negative reactions of the war are included in form of poems and anti-war novels.
The source was very useful in identifying the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as the trigger that resulted in World War 1. It was an objective source as it highlighted events from the perspective of both parties involved in the war.
The journal is very crucial in my research as it provides the exact event that caused World War 1, prior events that caused tension in Europe, and formation of alliances during the war. Therefore, the source shaped my argument that Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered World War 1.
Rotella, M., Abbott, C., & Gold, S. F. (2000). The doughboys: America and the First World War. Publishers Weekly, 247(43), 72-73. Retrieved 5 June, 2012, from Proquest database. (Document ID: 197027017)
The magazine shows that American’s moral and material contribution was effective in the Allied forces wining World War 1. The American forces sent to the war were young ‘doughboys’ who were enthusiastic and learned fast compared to their generals. American involvement in the War was at first for support, but when American security and trade was threatened, America got involved in the war through the ‘doughboys’.
The magazine was useful in determining the impact of American involvement in World War 1. Despite the source being biased, it is very unique in that it has highlighted the specific American soldiers who were at the frontlines in the war. They fought in the trenches and were instrumental in victory for the Allied forces.
The source fits in the research because it has provided exact reasons of why America changed its approach from a supporting role to that of an ally in the war. It also shapes my argument that American involvement resulted in victory for the Allied forces.
Blewett, D. K. (2001). The great world war, 1914-45. vol. 1: Lightning strikes twice. Library Journal, 126(6), 114-114. http://search.proquest.com/docview/196847014?accountid=45049
References
Chadwick, E. (2007). The impossibility of maritime neutrality during World War 1. Netherlands International Law Review, 54(2), 337-360. doi:10.1017/S0165070X07003373
Levinson, M. H. (2005). Mapping the Causes of World War I to Avoid Armageddon Today. ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 62(2), 157-164.
http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=590060a6-839d-4c00-b440-e49002bdf40c%40sessionmgr13&vid=5&hid=1
Miles, L. (2001). The Irish famine: The birth of Irish America / assassination of Sarajevo: The trigger for world war I. School Library Journal, 47(7), 116-117. http://search.proquest.com/docview/211728743?accountid=45049
Rotella, M., Abbott, C., & Gold, S. F. (2000). The doughboys: America and the First World War. Publishers Weekly, 247(43), 72-73. http://search.proquest.com/docview/197027017?accountid=45049
