Looking at world events, there are some amazing and frightening parallels between the times and events leading to world war 1 and now.
Here is a list off of google that names some general events that are believed to have caused WW1. I will compare them to events happening now and let you decide for yourselves:
"World War 1 is actually much more complicated than a simple list of causes. While there was a chain of events that directly led to the fighting, the actual root causes are much deeper and part of continued debate and discussion. This list is an overview of the most popular reasons that are cited as the root causes of World War 1."
1. Mutual Defense Alliances
Over time, countries throughout Europe made mutual defense agreements that would pull them into battle. Thus, if one country was attacked, allied countries were bound to defend them. Before World War 1, the following alliances existed:- Russia and Serbia
- Germany and Austria-Hungary
- France and Russia
- Britain and France and Belgium
- Japan and Britain
Okay, currently we have NATO, OPEC, the UN, the "Axis of evil" between Iran Venezuela, Cuba and N.Korea. China and Russia are really behind those nations. We also have the European Union which is being influenced by many sides and is nearing collapse. America is generally allied with Canada, Israel, England and Germany but relations with all our allies are "strained" at the moment. There are also borderless alliances such as the Muslim brotherhood (Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas) as well as La Raza (MS 13, and the Latin American drug cartels.)
2.Imperialism Imperialism is when a country increases their power and wealth by bringing additional territories under their control. Before World War 1, Africa and parts of Asia were points of contention amongst the European countries. This was especially true because of the raw materials these areas could provide. The increasing competition and desire for greater empires led to an increase in confrontation that helped push the world into World War I.
Imperialism isn't happening now, right? The map hasn't changed since WW2. Think again...Russia showed the world how to build an empire using ideology and proxy war. Islamists are trying to take over Europe. Statists are trying to take over the US. Russia recently made the entire Polish government disappear forcing new elections that can be easily bought (Russia considers Poland its historical territory just as Mexicans consider the American Southwest theirs.) There is also Kyrgystan, Georgia (the nation) and the Ukraine where Russia is now exerting an increasing influence. China is trying to exert more and more influence on SW Asia.3. Militarism
As the world entered the 20th century, an arms race had begun. By 1914, Germany had the greatest increase in military buildup. Great Britain and Germany both greatly increased their navies in this time period. Further, in Germany and Russia particularly, the military establishment began to have a greater influence on public policy. This increase in militarism helped push the countries involved to war.Not happening now right? China and Russia have increased their Military spending by 1000% in the last decade. What do you think they do with all the money they get from that cheap stuff you buy? America has not decreased military spending , and the Islamists are awash in oil and opium money. What are they buying with that money? Since our cash is worthless, what do you folks think we trade for oil????
4. Nationalism
Much of the origin of the war was based on the desire of the Slavic peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina to no longer be part of Austria Hungary but instead be part of Serbia. In this way, nationalism led directly to the War. But in a more general way, the nationalism of the various countries throughout Europe contributed not only to the beginning but the extension of the war in Europe. Each country tried to prove their dominance and power.Nationalism is on the rise in China, Russia, Europe, in the Islamic world and in S.America. We are the only nation that has a leader that feels we owe the world an apology and should let others take our lead.
5. Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The immediate cause of World War I that made all the aforementioned items come into play (alliances, imperialism, militarism, nationalism) was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. In June 1914, a Serbian nationalist assassinated him and his wife while they were in Sarajevo, Bosnia which was part of Austria-Hungary. This was in protest to Austria-Hungary having control of this region. Serbia wanted to take over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This assassination led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. When Russia began to mobilize due to its alliance with Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia. Thus began the expansion of the war to include all those involved in the mutual defense alliances.This was simply a flash point at a time when because of economic downturn, anger against european imperialism, and arrogance by world leaders led to a war no one could stop. America sold much of the Arms used in WW1 and ended up being owed billions by Europe which when was not repaid led to huge taxes and the Depression of 1920. We had a so called "progressive" President who swore to keep us out of war. Days after his reelection we jumped into WW1. Communism was able to take hold in Russia leading to it's exit of WW1 on an anti-war platform. By the start of WW2, Russia had the biggest, most advanced army in the world. We also had a "progressive" President who swore to keep us out of WW2. When attacked by Japan we invaded Europe first. Now we have another "progressive" President who ran on an anti-war platform but has increased the total number of troops currently overseas, yet has grossly mismanaged both Afganistan and Iraq to the point that victory (which was all but assured in both) is now all but impossible in Afganistan and looking less likely in Iraq. So you tell me, why should we not be worried about an impending world war?
