this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2024
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[–] PugJesus 4 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

I was referring to the Second World War …

Ah, goes to show I don't know my modern European battles very well. >.>

but the first world war was a weird bit of history, the more I read about it, the more confused I become as to why in the hell that conflict was even started. It reads more like a bar fight that went horribly out of control and lasted for four years and killed 20 million people for no apparent real reason … which then laid the foundation for another more horrible war after.

Yeah, more or less. Best summary would be:

Europe tries to make massive alliances for deterrence, under the understandable reasoning that no one wants to fight a stronger opponent than themselves

Alliances become so massive and entangled that one country (Austro-Hungary) deciding to start an armed conflict with a smaller country (Serbia), drags every other country into the conflict

Countries aren't always rational actors, and even when they are, placing bets on being able to force a fait accompli before consequences hit (a la Russia with Crimea in 2014) is always a risk.

You can also apportion some blame to Kaiser Wilhelm II for being such a dumbass as to give a metaphorical blank check to Austro-Hungary so he could sound big and strong in support of Germany's allies on the world stage. He had a lot of mommy and daddy issues. Thanks, monarchy.

It was said, early on, when the opening moves were being played and diplomatic avenues were still being tried, that in Austro-Hungary, the mood was that the war was inevitable but not serious, while in Germany, the mood was that the war was serious but not inevitable.

BTW … I love all the references to Black Adder (that is the show right?) and Rowan Atkinson and Stephen Fry … I really have to take time to watch that show

Oh, yes, the whole show is fantastic! Especially the last season.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 12 hours ago

Of all the reading I've done so far ... here's my favourite summary of the First World War

https://stephaniehuesler.com/2019/12/15/history-undusted-if-world-war-i-were-a-bar-fight/