The Darkest Days

The Truth Behind Britain’s Rush to War, 1914

Douglas Newton

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Hardback

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English

Verso
23 July 2014

History; British & Irish history; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; First World War

The centenary of the outbreak of the First

World War may be commemorated by some as a great moment of national

history. But the standard history of Britain's choice for war is far

from the truth. Using a wide range of sources, including the personal

papers of many of the key figures, some for the first time, historian

Douglas Newton presents a new, dramatic narrative. He interleaves the

story of those pressing for a choice for war with the story of those

resisting Britain's descent into calamity. He shows how the decision to

go to war was rushed, in the face of vehement opposition, in the Cabinet

and Parliament, in the Liberal and Labour press, and in the streets.

There was no democratic decision for war. The history of this

opposition has been largely erased from the record, yet it was crucial

to what actually happened in August 1914. Two days before the

declaration of war four members of the Cabinet resigned in protest at

the war party's manipulation of the crisis. The government almost

disintegrated. Meanwhile large crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square to

hear the case for neutrality and peace. Yet this cry was ignored by the

government. Meanwhile, elements of the press, the Foreign Office, and

the Tory Opposition sought to browbeat the government into a quick

decision. Belgium had little to do with it. The key decision to

enter the war was made before Belgium was invaded. Those bellowing for

hostilities were eager for Britain to enter any war in solidarity with

Russia and France - for the future safety of the British Empire. In

particular Newton shows how Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, Foreign

Minister Sir Edward Grey, and First Lord of the Admiralty Winston

Churchill colluded to pre-empt the decisions of Cabinet, to manipulate

the parliament, and to hurry the nation toward intervention by any means

necessary.

By: Douglas Newton
Imprint: Verso
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 37mm
Weight: 750g
ISBN: 9781781683507
ISBN 10: 1781683506
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 23 July 2014
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Douglas Newton was the Associate Professor of History at University of Western Sydney. He is the author of 'British Policy and the Weimar Republic 1918-19; Germany 1919-45, and British Labour, European Socialism and the Struggle for Peace 1889-1914. He lives in Australia.

Reviews for The Darkest Days: The Truth Behind Britain’s Rush to War, 1914

Newton writes well, and with a feel for the tragedy of the Great War missing in most accounts ... the scholarship invested in this work is meticulous' John McDermott, International History Review 'One of the most thorough modern history texts of recent times.' Jonathan Wright, Twentieth Century British History 'Newton's history is meticulously researched...' History Workshop Journal