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The notable historians of this period can be divided into two camps. One camp sees the war as arising from the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir in June 1914 and snowballing almost spontaneously due to the alliance structure and military plans that were in place. This view throws the blame widely and avoids blaming Germany or any other party too specifically.  

The notable historians of this period can be divided into two camps. One camp sees the war as arising from the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir in June 1914 and snowballing almost spontaneously due to the alliance structure and military plans that were in place. This view throws the blame widely and avoids blaming Germany or any other party too specifically.  

Another camp sees the war as a consequence of Germany's increasingly aggressive planning and foreign policy, beginning with the Schlieffen Plan to invade France, drawn up in 1904. This view originated with the writings of Fritz Fischer in the 1960s and has been referred to as the "Fischer thesis." The "naval race" between Germany and Britain from 1902 to 1911 was a focus of patriotic pride. After the Agadir Crisis in 1911, German leaders emphasized the build up of the army.

Another camp sees the war as a consequence of Germany's increasingly aggressive planning and foreign policy, beginning with the Schlieffen Plan to invade France, drawn up in 1904. This view originated with the writings of German historian Fritz Fischer in the 1960s and has been referred to as the "Fischer thesis." From 1902 to 1911, a "naval race" between Germany and Britain was a focus of patriotic pride in both countries. Gaining a larger share of colonies was a focus of German propaganda, but policymakers thought of the navy as a tool in European politics. After the Agadir Crisis in 1911, German leaders shifted their focus to the army.

The war began in 1914 between two coalitions. The "Central Powers" comprised the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, later joined by the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire. The "Allies" included the British, Russian and French Empires, Japan, and Serbia.<ref>Italy was originally a Central Power, but remained neutral in 1914 and joined the Allies in 1915.</ref> The powers had vast overseas empires in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere (including Canada) that were active participants.  

The war began in 1914 between two coalitions. The "Central Powers" comprised the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, later joined by the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire. The "Allies" included the British, Russian and French Empires, Japan, and Serbia.<ref>Italy was originally a Central Power, but remained neutral in 1914 and joined the Allies in 1915.</ref> The powers had vast overseas empires in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere (including Canada) that were active participants.