Dear Editor,
Saturday, June 28, 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of World War I. This is indeed a monumental milestone since some of the conditions that plunged the world into a major catastrophe in 1914 seem to exist today.
This tragic historical event should give all world leaders cause to reflect on significant decisions that could trigger or prevent another global conflagration.
In the summer of 1914 the political conditions in Europe were ripe for an unprecedented conflict. Intense nationalism, an amazing build-up of military forces, the formation of alliances and the existence of terrorism made up an enormous and dangerous powder keg in the Balkan states.
There is no doubt that the Balkan Peninsula was a hotbed of unstable states and provinces, such as Serbia and Bosnia respectively. The intense feeling of nationalism that was present in the Balkan Peninsula gave rise to a rapid stockpile of military hardware. There is also no doubt that this nationalistic feeling provided the fertile conditions for acts of terrorism. For example, the Black Hand in Serbia was well known as an effective terrorist organisation.
Amidst this powder keg of instability, the large European powers, specifically Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia were extremely busy arming themselves to the teeth. The arms race between Britain and Germany was noticeably fierce. In this time of seething unrest and mistrust, two hostile military alliances were in existence -- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed what was known as the Triple Alliance, while Britain, France and Russia established the Triple Entente.
The amalgam of instability, mistrust and impending turmoil was indeed a potential disaster waiting to explode.
It was not long before terrorism provided the spark that ignited the powder keg and set the entire world ablaze.
The echo of that deadly bullet that struck Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, is still resonating around the world. Sophie, the Archduke's wife, was also killed in that attack by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip.
It may be said that although this assassination was the spark that set the world ablaze, it was not the single cause of WW I. There is no doubt that fierce nationalism, the unprecedented arms race, and the formation of hostile alliances were major contributors. Therefore, it did not take long for the two major alliances to clash in a deadly combat that lasted four long years.
Many historians argue that the conditions that ignited WW I are fundamentally differentfrom those that exist today. That may be true to a certain extent, but it may be said that there are striking parallels. In 1914, British military supremacy was fiercely challenged by Germany, triggering an arms race. Nowadays, it would appear that the superpower status of America is being challenged by China.
The parallel between rising nationalism in 1914 and 2014 is also striking. Nowhere is nationalism raising its ugly head more than in the Middle East. As a matter of fact, this nationalistic feeling is similar to that which existed in the Balkan states 100 years ago. Nationalism is also rife in Ukraine and the China Sea.
Remember also that terrorism is not a recent phenomenon. The only difference is its massive proliferation around the globe today.
There is no doubt that we are sitting on a powder keg, not only in the Middle East but in Ukraine and the China Sea. I do hope the major world leaders will ignore the idiotic advice of political hotheads. Instead, they should be calm and reflective before making important military and political decisions. We don't want a repeat of 100 years ago. It was supposed to be a war to end all wars. Instead, it turned out to be a war that started all wars.
Rupert Johnson
Toronto, Ontario
r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca
100 years after World War I
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Saturday, June 28, 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of World War I. This is indeed a monumental milestone since some of the conditions that plunged the world into a major catastrophe in 1914 seem to exist today.
This tragic historical event should give all world leaders cause to reflect on significant decisions that could trigger or prevent another global conflagration.
In the summer of 1914 the political conditions in Europe were ripe for an unprecedented conflict. Intense nationalism, an amazing build-up of military forces, the formation of alliances and the existence of terrorism made up an enormous and dangerous powder keg in the Balkan states.
There is no doubt that the Balkan Peninsula was a hotbed of unstable states and provinces, such as Serbia and Bosnia respectively. The intense feeling of nationalism that was present in the Balkan Peninsula gave rise to a rapid stockpile of military hardware. There is also no doubt that this nationalistic feeling provided the fertile conditions for acts of terrorism. For example, the Black Hand in Serbia was well known as an effective terrorist organisation.
Amidst this powder keg of instability, the large European powers, specifically Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia were extremely busy arming themselves to the teeth. The arms race between Britain and Germany was noticeably fierce. In this time of seething unrest and mistrust, two hostile military alliances were in existence -- Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed what was known as the Triple Alliance, while Britain, France and Russia established the Triple Entente.
The amalgam of instability, mistrust and impending turmoil was indeed a potential disaster waiting to explode.
It was not long before terrorism provided the spark that ignited the powder keg and set the entire world ablaze.
The echo of that deadly bullet that struck Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, is still resonating around the world. Sophie, the Archduke's wife, was also killed in that attack by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip.
It may be said that although this assassination was the spark that set the world ablaze, it was not the single cause of WW I. There is no doubt that fierce nationalism, the unprecedented arms race, and the formation of hostile alliances were major contributors. Therefore, it did not take long for the two major alliances to clash in a deadly combat that lasted four long years.
Many historians argue that the conditions that ignited WW I are fundamentally differentfrom those that exist today. That may be true to a certain extent, but it may be said that there are striking parallels. In 1914, British military supremacy was fiercely challenged by Germany, triggering an arms race. Nowadays, it would appear that the superpower status of America is being challenged by China.
The parallel between rising nationalism in 1914 and 2014 is also striking. Nowhere is nationalism raising its ugly head more than in the Middle East. As a matter of fact, this nationalistic feeling is similar to that which existed in the Balkan states 100 years ago. Nationalism is also rife in Ukraine and the China Sea.
Remember also that terrorism is not a recent phenomenon. The only difference is its massive proliferation around the globe today.
There is no doubt that we are sitting on a powder keg, not only in the Middle East but in Ukraine and the China Sea. I do hope the major world leaders will ignore the idiotic advice of political hotheads. Instead, they should be calm and reflective before making important military and political decisions. We don't want a repeat of 100 years ago. It was supposed to be a war to end all wars. Instead, it turned out to be a war that started all wars.
Rupert Johnson
Toronto, Ontario
r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca
100 years after World War I
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