WWI 2

A detailed Summary of WWI 2

The onset of WWI marked a turning point in the history of mankind, dramatically redefining the nature of warfare. The brutal restructuring of national policies to involve the entire nation, from industrial production to unwarranted assaults upon civilians, represents a tragic shift. The severity of this change warrants examination of both the general historical factors and specific events that produced such dire consequences, as well as speculation on whether WWI may have been avoided.

Historians largely look toward two general trends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rapid economic development and industrial growth that occurred in the 19th century, coupled with the diminishing availability of abundant resources, fostered a high sense of nationalism among Europeans. Economics and politics became intertwined, with pursuit of further economic growth intensifying political tension among neighboring countries.

Nationalistic rivalries appeared throughout Europe. Britain jealously guarded its diminishing status as the world power, harboring much negative sentiment towards prosperous Germany. Meanwhile, under the lead of the militaristic Kaiser Wilhelm II, Germany attempted to rush its own emergence as an econ

There are actions which, if taken during pre-war era, could have not only lessened the severity but also shortened the duration of WWI. Had Germany, instead accepting of the Schlieffen plan, taken a more defensive attitude during 1914, war would have been postponed. An increase in time between the initial mobilizations and the actual occurrence of warfare would have significantly altered the nature of the war. The Germans, taking only defensive measures against the threat of Russian mobilization, may have delayed their entrance into war for some time. Germany initiated battle with all except Britain, but even then Britain was drawn in by German actions. Deferment of the onset of fighting, through lack of a German declaration, may have afforded world powers time necessary to develop effective strategies for the swift resolution of the conflict. Alternatively, had Britain chosen to accept German promises and to remain neutral, the course of WWI would have been dramatically shortened. The almost certain victory of Germany may have proven beneficial and prevented the loss of millions of lives. Though this would have opened the possibility of future war with Britain, it is unlikely to have been comparable to the devastation of WWI.

Historians postulate that Britain could have avoided the hardships of WWI had it chosen to wait and observe German actions, rather than immediately delve into battle to ally with its formidable economic rivals France and Russia. Britain, as an alternative to the declaration of war, could have accepted Germany's pledge to honor the territorial integrity of Belgium and France; this would have preserved British interests and lives, as well as shortened the war considerably. The highly probable German victory on the continent would have yielded a European economic union similar to the one that

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Approximate Word count = 1241
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History