WORLD WAR ONE Today, August 4th 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of the start of what was known at the time as the Great War. Canada and the USA should never have participated. Here are the events that led up to the massive conflagration: This European war took place because of complicated alliances among the major powers, political incompetence and misunderstandings. On one side there was the Triple Entente, also known as the Allies, and on the other the Central Powers. Respectively they were Great Britain, France and Russia and on the other side Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey. Each alliance also had minor allies. The formation of the alliances and conflicting interests originated at least thirty years previously. • France wished to avenge its miserable defeat to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. • Germany wished to have colonies in warm climates as did Britain and France • Russia fancied itself as the champions of the Slavic nations • Austria-Hungary was very concerned about nationalism in the Slavic states. Great Britain was apprehensive about the growing German navy. This was a war that was going to come anyway, but the spark that ignited it was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne in Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb nationalists. After secret meetings, Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia on July 23rd that included 15 demands. It was designed to be rejected by Serbia, who was given 2 days to reply. Austria-Hungary didn’t wait the two days and began to mobilize its troops. Events moved quickly as each nation mobilized. Britain and Russia separately proposed negotiations On July 27th, but Austria-Hungary foolishly rejected the idea. Britain demanded of Germany that it respect Belgian neutrality and when Germany crossed through that country on its way to fight France, Britain declared war on the Central Powers and by nightfall of August 4th 1914, 5 empires were at war – Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, Britain and France. Although it seems strange to us today, Britain’s declaration meant that Canada and other members of the Empire were as well. In 1910, Prime Minster Wilfred Laurier famously said “When Britain is at war, Canada is at war, there is no distinction” Four years later, Prime Minister Robert Borden agreed with this assessment. There was no declaration of war by the Canadian government, not so much as a cabinet meeting. It was all done by a telegram from the British King to the Canadian Governor General, his representative in Canada. Mind boggling! The USA entered the war in 1917 under President Woodrow Wilson, who was re-elected in 1916 under the slogan ‘He kept us out of war’. The war cost the lives of 37 million people spread through 22 nations. Germany, under the Treaty of Versailles was made to accept full responsibility for the war and to pay reparations of 31.4 billion dollars, equivalent to 442 billion in today’s money. When Allied Commander-in-Chief M.F. Foch learned of the terms imposed on Germany, he said “This is not a peace; it is an armistice for 20 years”. Germans and Austrians were poverty stricken and starving, even before the Great Depression of 1929. The harsh terms of the peace treaty and the ensuing world economic collapse resulted in the inevitable rise of a dictator who turned out to be Hitler. It directly lead to WWII – 20 years and 65 days after Foch’s prophecy. This war was just the last of endless European wars over 1000 years. The security of Canada and the USA were not directly at stake. Neither of our countries should have been involved in it – but we were. IN FLANDERS FIELDS (Canadian John McCrae) In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. To this day, Canadians wear poppies on Remembrance Day, observed November 11th. John Merriam
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 14:41:14 +0000
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