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Essay on The Long Fuse: An Interpretation of the Origins of World War I
'The Long Fuse' by Laurence Davis Lafore, presents an interpretation of causes of WWI, which includes the implication of Serbian chauvinism as a causative feature. In analyzing the causes of World War I without apprehension for the question of guilt, the writer places stress on two fundamental facts: first, that when statesmen and peoples took actions they knew might lead to war, they were not envisaging the catastrophe that the war became but rather a quick and limited war; and, second, that among the lots of conflicts that might have led to war, the one that did was the threat to the integrity of Austria-Hungary posed by Serbia and Serb nationalism. In analyzing the causes of World War I without concern for the question of guilt, the author places emphasis on two central facts: first, that when statesmen and peoples took actions they knew might lead to war, they were not envisaging the catastrophe that the war became but rather a quick and limited war; and, second, that among the many conflicts that might have led to war, the one that did was the threat to the integrity of Austria-Hungary posed by Serbia and Serb nationalism.
This book does not scrutinize monetary, community, or military causes of the war in any great detail. In part this is what makes the book interesting. Lafore as an alternative follows conventional tactful arguments upon which his conclusions are based. He does seem to help conservative viewpoints by stating the fringe areas of Europe (the Balkans, Ireland, and frontier provincial areas such as Alsace-Lorraine) did much to thwart the ambitions of the great powers. He also reluctantly includes Austria-Hungary with the great powers though it was comprised of the very fringe areas he is critical of. Lafore does avoid one traditional Anglo-French opinion, that Germany bore sole responsibility for the war........
