Five Brothers and a War

World War II Causes—World War I

World War II started with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. That it took two decades thereafter for hostilities to break out is a technicality. Thus, World War II lasted from 1919 to about a decade after the German capitulation, because the run-up to actual fighting, the hostilities and the post-war aftermath form the time parameters of that pivotal event. In fact, it is possible to go back to the Franco-Prussian War treaty, also signed in Versailles as the start of World War II. Causes and triggers of crises are very different in all circumstances, including World War I. When a grain elevator explodes, the accumulated grain dust and the reasons for that accumulation form the causes whereas the spark that ignited the dust is the trigger. To say that all wars are avoidable is akin to saying that all car accidents are avoidable. It certainly is true on a fundamental level, but it is not true that all parties can escape all wars, in the same way that not everyone can avoid all car accidents. For example, a person can be hit from behind in a car, while standing still, because the person driving up to the car is texting, and is not paying attention. The person texting could have avoided the accident, but the person who was hit likely could not do anything. World War I, was avoidable by everyone. It is a horrible outcome on all levels that it was fought. Whereas World War II, once instigated by Hitler, had to be fought, World War I had no purpose. World War I was caused by several factors, including extremely complex treaties between a seemingly endless series of nations. Mutual defense agreements between numerous countries meant that a single event within a single country could automatically trigger declarations of war. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia got involved to defend Serbia. Germany seeing Russia mobilizing, declared war on Russia. France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war. When England declared war, its various colonies and Commonwealth nations were automatically drawn in. Soon Japan entered the war. Later, Italy and the United States would enter on the side of the allies. In summary form, here is the line of events resulting in the “World” part of the war, which was intended only to be a very limited war. • Austria-Hungary , unsatisfied with Serbia's response to her ultimatum (which in the event was almost entirely placatory: however her jibbing over a couple of minor clauses gave Austria-Hungary her sought-after excuse) declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. • Russia , bound by treaty to Serbia, announced mobilization of its vast army in support of Serbia, a slow process that would take around six weeks to complete. • Germany , allied to Austria-Hungary by treaty, viewed the Russian mobilization as an act of war against Austria-Hungary, and after scant warning declared war on Russia on August 1.

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Five Brothers and a War

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