We just marked #100 years to the end of the “Great War”; the #war that was to end all wars. However, as we are looking back from where we are today, what can we really conclude? How much of that war is still dictating our lives today? How much of our #world has changed because of that war and are we aware of it?
First, let us also remember that WW1 was the catalyst that started WW2. After the Treaty of Versailles, #Germany had to pay the equivalent of $300 Billion #dollars in today’s prices to the victors of the war. #Hitler used this, as a motivator for the German #people that felt humiliated and abused after the surrender to the allies. This made it much easier to rally the German people into “patriotic nationalism” that brought Hitler eventually into power.
Second, the Turkish Empire that was in control of the #MiddleEast since early 1500s and until their surrender to the #British forces in 1918 has disappeared. The area that was Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt all became #British Mandates/ areas of British/#French influence.
Third, after WW1, the European victors in their arrogance, decided to divide the Middle East without considering religious, cultural, or historical differences. (E.g. creating countries like Lebanon made of Shiites, Sunnis, Druze, Christians that have nothing to hold them together, or #Iraq made of Shiites and Sunnis and other sectors) as well as creating other issues that are at the core of world tensions ever since 1918.
Fourth, after the Tsar of #Russia joined WW1 and had mismanaged the Russian army into some devastating loses in 1915 and beyond, the disquiet of the Russian #people, due to the war and #food shortages in Russia made it fertile ground for Lenin to return from exile and lead the Bolshevik revolution. Thus, making the USSR a world power and a major player in world #history
Too many wars to count took place since WWII in many parts of the world. (http://bit.ly/2B9HVJu), sadly, some are still ongoing (http://bit.ly/2OKUgYs).
We claim that WW1 ended 100 years ago. Did it really? I would hazard to say that it is not over since we are still dealing with its outcome every day. And the funny thing is! We have learned nothing …….do you think we are headed towards WWIII?
