This coursebook covers Paper 2, Topic 1, Causes, practices and effects of wars, in the 20th Century World History syllabus for the IB History programme. It is divided into thematic sections, following the IB syllabus structure and is written in clear, accessible English. It covers the following areas for detailed study: First World War (1914–18); Second World War (1939–45); Asia and Oceania: Chinese Civil War (1927–37 and 1946–9); and Europe and Middle East: Spanish Civil War (1936–9). Tailored to the requirements and assessment objectives of the IB syllabus, it allows students to make comparisons between different regions and time periods.