World War I marked the violent 20th century. It was characterized by the first mass bombardment from the sky. For the first time in history, chemical weapons were used. And there was first genocide. Every citizen became a soldier. The war involved millions across continents and changed their lives. A story opens with a young British soldier, named Wilfred Owen, who fights on the German lines. His hope is to finally see the end of the war. In a letter from tranches to his mother, he tells about his experiences and feelings. Wilfred is a brave battlefield soldier, who, like his friends, is not afraid to die. Unfortunately, he got killed during the last week of war. In total, 9 million people lost their lives. The war ended on November 11, 1918. Today, we know Wilfred Owen as a British poet. But how and why did the war start? These are two main questions.
Neither particular person, nor an incident caused the war. With German Keizer Wilhelm II, instability was brought in Europe. He wanted himself to be the embodiment of the German war-making. At birth, Wilhelm suffered a permanent damage to his left arm. It had a deep and remaining effect on the future King. Because of his handicap, Wilhelm always strived to demonstrate a physical perfection, by outstretching his right arm. German uniforms and medals were used as masquerade. As a boy, Wilhelm experienced anxiety. His teacher literary tortured the little prince to overcome any fears and tears. However, Wilhelm’s happiest moments were those he spent in England with his British cousins and grandmother. His obsession with the sea and the battleships began right there. At 18, the Prince entered the army. He declared to have found his true home, because of happiness and content it brought him. In fact, Wilhelm’s personality was drastic and full of complexes. In a way, the army was compensating his inadequacies. He aimed to become an influential political figure, but his vision was far from reality. For it, his British relatives became deeply worried. At 29, he was crowned Emperor of Germany. Unlike von Bismarck, Wilhelm represented the new Germany that was going “full speed ahead”. Unfortunately, he made enemy with Germany’s former ally Britain quite soon, and was left the weak Austria-Hungary as the closest remaining ally. The five great powers formed as allies during von Bismarck’s rule were destroyed. As a result, Germany became politically insecure.
At the turn of the century, a technology explosion took place: automobiles, planes, and new battleships were built. More wealth, power and colonies were created. All the changes had a profound impact on lives. New possibilities became available for almost everyone around the world. In 1914, changes and crashes across Europe broke out. For example, a women’s right to vote in Britain. Suffer jets, few in number, were treated as criminals there. Also, the fever of imperialism took place in France. France’s intellectual leader, Jerquers, had a peaceful vision of prosperity, and he stood for the dignity of every human being. He tried hard to stop the war and save civilization, by addressing people in Basel Congress and in Brussels. On the other hand, Lenin in Russia favored the upcoming war, since he saw certain benefits.
The transformation appeared in Russia, too. But, the Czar Nicholas II confessed that the throne “was a job he feared all his life”. In Germany, the Keiser and his generals saw German culture as superior to others. Militarization and prolitarization were common there. Apart from it, German painter Meigner had clear visions of doom. Moreover, artists all over Europe had a feeling of approaching cataclysm. Germany was said to explode in war. The Kingdom of Serbia first started resistance. When Austria wanted to eliminate Serbia, it declared war in 1914 against Serbia. It also meant war between Austria and Russia, Germany and Russia, Germany and France, and Germany and Britain - trapping the whole continent. Perhaps the real reason why they all went to war was to defend their honor. When Germany failed to stop the allies, the war turned to real madness.
Reference
The Great War. Episode 1. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtdSoeYQYk
