Professor Iriye analyses the origins of the 1941 conflict against the background of international relations in the preceding decade in order to answer the key question: Why did Japan, which had not been able to defeat the isolated and divided forces of China, decide to go to war against so formidable a combination of powers?

The Greek Civil War (1943--50) was a major conflict in its own right, developing out of the rivalry between communist and conservative partisans for control of Greece as the Axis forces retreated at the end of the Second World War. Spanning the transition from World War to Cold War, it also had major international consequences in keeping Greece (alone of all the Balkan nations) out of the Communist bloc and stopping the Soviets reaching the Mediterranean. Yet it has received less attention than it deserves from historians. In this striking and original study, David Close does justice to both...

Concentrating on the turbulent months from February 1917 to November 1918, Geoffrey Swain explores the origins of the Civil War against the wider background of revolutionary Russia. He examines the aims of the anti-Bolshevik insurgents themselves; but he also shows how far the fear of civil war governed the action of the Provisional Government, and even the plans of the Bolsheviks. If the war itself can seem a fairly straightforward line-up of revolutionaries and counter-revolutionaries, this study reveals how complex were the motives of the people who precipitated it.

Part of the "Origins of Modern Wars" series, this book considers the Italian wars of independence. Using material from the Vatican archives, it highlights the roles of such figures as the Pope, Cardinal Corboli-Bussi and Cavour and the motivating forces behind the wars themselves.

Concentrating on the turbulent months from February 1917 to November 1918, this text explores the origins of the Russian Civil War against the background of revolutionary Russia. It examines the aims of the anti-Bolshevik insurgents and shows how far the fear of war governed the actions of all.

This volume examines the origins of the Greek civil war. It covers the right-wing dictatorship (1935-41); the invasion and collapse of authority (1941-1943); the EAM challenge of the old order (1943-1944); the defeat of the revolution; the White Terror; the descent to civil war; and the war itself.

This text looks at the roots of the struggle in Northern Ireland and of British intervention, setting both in the longer perspective of the Anglo-Irish troubles. The book seeks to place the use of the army within the wider British context of dealing with political violence.

Examines the "war guilt" question, and shows how economic factors and the breakdown of the Concert of Europe after 1848 provided a setting for the war. It argues that responsibility for the Crimean War lies with the individual leaders who could have prevented it.

This volume in the "Origins of Modern Wars" series concerns the opening days of the Vietnamese conflict. The author examines the nature of French colonial rule in Vietnam, nationalism and liberation groups, the influence of Chinese communism and Vietnam's diplomatic relations with other countries.