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Question

Imagine that you are a citizen of a European Nation in the early 1900s. Explain why you think there WILL or WONT be another war soon?

Answer 1

Oh, I guess I'll play pretend too. Whatever European nation I am living in at the time is clearly better as is my nationality, customs, heritage, political system, culture, history, etc. than that of any of my "neighbors" who are all a bit backwards and inferior to my nation and culture as I have been brought up to believe under the extremely nationalist tenets of that time in Europe; I won't even mention how I hate the infidels, blasphemists, etc who practice totally false, immoral and dangerous religious beliefs in the countries surrounding my own. In addition, I see my European neighbors trying to expand their territory, power, influence in Europe or abroad by gaining new territory and/or foreign colonies under the extreme imperialistic tenets of the time- often at the expense of my nation; either my nation has just lost territory at home or abroad and is "itching" to settle the score by regaining (and possibly amassing more) land, or, my nation has just won more territory at home or abroad and see my neighbors as weak providing me with more incentive to show the superiority of my nation and culture. My nation has most likely been involved in some recent war along with most of my neighbors and for the previously mentioned reasons has developed a large army; other nations are also continually engaging in an "arms race" with larger armies, more weapons, the latest military technology, etc. so, under the militaristic tenets of the time, my nation needs to keep being one step of my neighbors militarily to prove and ensure/protect our cultural superiority. Next, either my nation has large groups of "foreigners" often due to the fact we just annexed new land who are refusing to submit to our ways and need to be "quelled" or many of our brothers are being repressed by foreign tyrants who have recently taken over parts of our traditional homeland and our countrymen need to be liberated. My nation's economy isn't doing to well recently; all this arms build up, paying for an ever-increasing army by taxes, the devestation resulting from the constant history of recent war in my home country is leading to very tight economic times for us common citizens- and it is obviously because the subhuman people in the next European country are to blame for trying to demean and destroy our culture/heritage/society.etc., for leading us into this expensive arms race, for causing damage to our nation's infastructure during the never-ending series of battles. Boy, the rest of my European neighbors are going to pay!

Answer 2

I can answer that from both sides as a couple of books on the subject came out just a few years before WWI started (sorry, I don't have the titles or authors). A British author was arguing that war would not be possible as no country would want to start a war which would involve six of the European powers (the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente). The logic is that the result would be that a country would be worse off if such a war started.

In practically a response, a German author argued that war would indeed happen as it was a nation's destiny (particular his) to dominate the rest of the continent. Not only was war inevitable, but perhaps even desirable.

It seems that the first was appealing to rational self-interest while the second was appealing to nationalism. In the end, the second turned out to be correct, but the first's point of how such a war would result was also correct as well.

Answer 3

As a citizen in the 1900's in a European nation, I would be reading my Bible and the prophecies would for-ware me that there would be a war coming.

Answer 4

The people of that time were called the happy generation because it haven't happened a war for many years. Also, they believed that the development of science and technology would help them to solve all their problems even preventing wars.They were optimists.Of course, history showed us different things...

Answer 5

As you can see, we try to unite together again! UE