What Were They Fighting For?

Discusses the motivations behind the Revolutionary War from all sides, including why the colonists dumped tea into the Boston harbor, why the British government clung to the thirteen colonies with such force, and why the French and Spanish lent a helping hand to the colonies.

Presents the events that led to World War II, and examines the causes for which the combatants risked their lives.

Presents the events that led to World War I, and examines the causes for which the combatants risked their lives.

"How did a country once so united split in two? Why did the South feel that the North threatened their traditions and livelihood? Why did the North only want to fight in the South's territory? From the campaign for emancipation to the brutal battlefield, The U.S. Civil War: Why They Fought reveals the motivations behind the U.S. Civil War from all sides. Go beyond names and dates and ask: what were they fighting for?"--Provided by the publisher.

"Why did the German people follow Adolf Hitler during World War II? Why did the Soviet Union switch sides partway through the war? How did U.S. women and racial minorities hope to use their participation in the war to change society at home? From the invasion of Poland to the dropping of atomic bombs, World War II: Why They Fought reveals the motivations behind World War II from all sides. Go beyond names and dates and ask: what were they fighting for?"--Provided by the publisher.

"Why did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria spark World War I? How did a sinking ship and a telegram convince the United States to join the fight? How did patriotism and brotherhood motivate soldiers in the trenches? From the battlefields of France to the Russian Revolution, World War I: Why They Fought reveals the motivations behind World War I from all sides. Go beyond names and dates and ask: what were they fighting for?"--Provided by the publisher.