November 11th is Veterans Day. For decades, people wore poppies on their clothing to commemorate those killed and wounded in World War I, or "The Great War," as it once was called.
Many ominous warning signs could be seen in Europe before the war was ignited by the assassination of the Archduke of Austria in the summer of 1914. First, while Europe was basking in an era of unrivaled material prosperity, all nations began building up vast military systems.
Second, important European countries signed alliances with other countries. These alliances were military defense pacts, stating that the allied countries would declare war on any country attacking those within their alliance. Finally, European countries believed they would never use the terrible weapons they had created because all the nations were so "enlightened." This will all come to a horrible cataclysm in August 1914 with the beginning of World War I.
Renowned children’s writer Russell Freedman has written an outstanding book on the causes of the Great War as well as the actual combat from 1914-1918. Entitled "The War to End All Wars," Freedman captures the titanic struggle of World War I and the consequences of nations making selfish and self-centered decisions.
With the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Europe is dangerously balanced on a precipice. Since the assassins were Serbian, Austria immediately declares war on the country of Serbia. This, in turn, causes Russia, Serbia’s protector, to declare war on Austria. Within a few days, France and England declare war on Germany and Austria. Austria and Germany then declare war on France and England, and the war begins.
Throughout all the cities of Europe the troops are wildly cheered as they march off to the front. Never have the men felt more like heroes than when they march off, as the women throw flowers over them. Everyone believes the war will be over by Christmas.
As the German juggernaut sweeps through neutral Belgium and into France, there is a possibility of a quick victory. But the zeal of the French and English forces causes a military draw at the critical Battle of the Marne in September 1914. After this, both sides dig in for hundreds of miles and the horrible trench warfare battles begin.
Freedman carefully shows that all the countries fighting in World War I are guilty of callous leadership by repeatedly ordering their troops into frontal charges on machine-gun emplacements. While common soldiers fought with bravery and immense courage, the backward thinking of the officers of the General Staffs in each army led to enormous numbers of causalities on the battlefield.
As well, Freedman points out that both sides had to justify the reckless slaughter of their armies by planning greater and greater attacks. After all, if their thinking wasn’t based on keen military thought, these offensives would have been criminal. Freedman relentlessly shows the narrow-minded stupidity of each side. When the war ends, both sides must answer the question of why they had fought the war in the first place.
The answers aren’t forthcoming, and the victors, the Allies, decide the problems were all on the German side. At the Versailles Peace Treaty, they force the Germans to accept the war guilt clause or face invasion. According to the Allies, they were simply victims of an evil Germany. After all, they were enlightened. Freedman shows that this Allied "foresight" ensured that Adolph Hitler would someday rule Germany.
This is an outstanding book about the causes, military battles and consequences of World War I. In our own times countries have too often relied on their own reasoning to solve international problems. "The War to End All Wars" is an excellent book to demonstrate what happens to countries when they believe human reason and the foolish belief in the innate goodness of humanity alone can solve all political problems. It would be particularly useful with middle school students studying political issues. Let’s pray that we have learned something from this tragedy so as not to repeat it.
