Taylor's thesis is problematic as it places too much weight on the July Crisis and the events directly preceding the outbreak of war. As such, it says little about the structural causes of war.

Question

Answer

Con: Taylor's point is precisely that structural explanations seem ill-suited to describe World War One. No country wanted war: its outbreak was more the result of failed diplomacy and mistaken perceptions.

What caused World War One?

Taylor's thesis is problematic as it places too much weight on the July Crisis and the events directly preceding the outbreak of war. As such, it says little about the structural causes of war.

Pros

Cons

Taylor's point is precisely that structural explanations seem ill-suited to describe World War One. No country wanted war: its outbreak was more the result of failed diplomacy and mistaken perceptions.

Selected claim, opposing its parent

Taylor's thesis is problematic as it places too much weight on the July Crisis and the events directly preceding the outbreak of war. As such, it says little about the structural causes of war.

Con claim 1

Taylor's point is precisely that structural explanations seem ill-suited to describe World War One. No country wanted war: its outbreak was more the result of failed diplomacy and mistaken perceptions.