The nascent German Empire and the Ottoman Empire were crushed by the British, (various) European, and Russian Empires with the pointless loss of millions of lives (mostly men). Germany, Britain, and Russia were all ruled by grandchildren of Queen Victoria (i.e., they were first cousins).
The generals on all sides were incompetent inbreds who saw working class men and "colonials" as canon fodder.
Chemical weapons were invented and deployed, causing mass casualties. Mechanised warfare also contributed to mass casualties. Even more men simply died of disease because of unsanitary conditions.
The French and British made a deal with the Arabs to remove the Ottomans and then welched on it, creating a lasting enmity and alienation between Europe and the Muslim world -- and also the conditions for ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Americans got a taste for war on foreign soil and the vast wealth to be made from supporting it.
Russians decided they'd had enough of the Tsars and revolted, but ended up with Stalin, who was considerably worse.
Finally, harsh reparations were imposed that sowed the seeds for the rise of Fascism in Europe and WWII.
On the plus side, the horrendous, dehumanising, exploitative society that had grown out of the industrial revolution began to break down, which was a good thing. Not sure about the replacement, yet, though.
The generals on all sides were incompetent inbreds who saw working class men and "colonials" as canon fodder.
Chemical weapons were invented and deployed, causing mass casualties. Mechanised warfare also contributed to mass casualties. Even more men simply died of disease because of unsanitary conditions.
The French and British made a deal with the Arabs to remove the Ottomans and then welched on it, creating a lasting enmity and alienation between Europe and the Muslim world -- and also the conditions for ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Americans got a taste for war on foreign soil and the vast wealth to be made from supporting it.
Russians decided they'd had enough of the Tsars and revolted, but ended up with Stalin, who was considerably worse.
Finally, harsh reparations were imposed that sowed the seeds for the rise of Fascism in Europe and WWII.
On the plus side, the horrendous, dehumanising, exploitative society that had grown out of the industrial revolution began to break down, which was a good thing. Not sure about the replacement, yet, though.
We will remember them
(but probably not learn anything from the exercise)
No comments:
Post a Comment