History@Debate: Schlafwandler oder Brandstifter

In the summer of 2014, the outbreak of the First World War was commemorated for the 100th time. Shortly before the anniversary, the debate about the preconditions and causes of the war in German and Anglo-American historiography intensified. Were the European powers and their leading politicians "sleepwalkers" who could have prevented a war through timely and responsible action? Or were they arsonists who provoked a war through their aggressive foreign policy? Can guilt and responsibility for the outbreak of war be clearly assigned? Or was it the result of misunderstandings and miscalculations? Political scientist Herfried Münkler and historians Gerd Krumeich and Sönke Neitzel discussed current research positions, their historical evaluation—and the implications for the culture of remembrance in Europe after 100 years. This event was part of the "History@Debate" series. Juliane Haubold-Stolle, project manager at the German Historical Museum, moderated the web talk "Europe 14/14," a joint event of the Gerda Henkel Foundation and the Körber Foundation. Welcome remarks were given by Sven Tetzlaff, Head of Education at the Körber Foundation, and Georgios Chatzoudis, Editor-in-Chief of the Gerda Henkel Foundation's science portal L.I.S.A.