Propaganda During World War Two Essay

Decisions for War, 1914-1917 by Richard Hamilton and Holger Herwig investigates the origins of the First World War detailing individual country’s reasons for entering the war. Historians at War by Anthony Adamthwaite explores how scholars have understood the origins of the Second World War throughout varying times and differing national view points. Both works share a common theme of determinism; a retrospective notion placed on historical events by historians that Europe was inescapably predestined to go to war and that nothing nor anyone could inhibit that. Both remark that this popular approach does a disservice into the explanation of war as it does not accurately depict the economic and social agency present in Europe at the time. In

In the year of 1792, a twelve year old boy named Carl von Clausewitz enlisted in the Prussian army for war, and soon after appearing in such battles as Jena-Auerstädt and Waterloo, became dedicated in conflict and its reasons for their results most of his life. By being alive at the same time as Napoleon's rise and fall, Carl von Clausewitz was able to document and relate how war was fought, won, and lost. It's important to comprehend that in his writings, he is relaying why it is pertinent to think about how war is fought, not how to win a war. Clausewitz' theories described in “On War,” are not only effective in wars fought in today's time and past, but will remain current in future endeavors, due to its generic layout of

One of the causes of the war was nationalism, or pride in one’s country. The belief that a person’s own nation or culture is superior to all others led European nations to compete to build the largest army and navy. The countries that were better suited to win the war such as France and Germany strongly advocated the war because the people thought it proved they were the best country (Document 1). It also gave groups of subject peoples the idea of forming independent nations of their own, from foreign rulers (Document 5) . Germany, Italy, Russia, France, Great Britain, and

Bismarck’s decisions and policy effected the first World War when he used a series of conflicts to bring Germany together but also create several enemies. One of these enemies being France played a big part in World War I later because Germany took the former French territory of Alsace- Lorraine. This conflict that took place during the time of Bismarck’s reign gave France a motive to fight against Germany. Wilhelm on the other hand played a far bigger role in the war. Because of a quarrel amongst Serbia and Germany, he asked Austria- Hungary to attack Serbia and thus pulling Britain, France, and Russia into the war (“Firstworldwar”). his aggressive tactics and need for power created many enemies and caused the German Empire to lose a lot of power leading up to the war.

Many historians believe that due to the Wilhelmine Era and the expansion of the German nation, as a whole, led to the outbreak of World War One. During the Bismarck era, Bismarck 's main goal was to keep France isolated and stay in good relations with Austria and Russia so that it would prevent a two-front war. Although Bismarck 's foreign policy was creating cooperation, it did not last very long. The spark of World War one came from the Wilhelmine era, which turned away from everything Bismarck’s foreign policy represented. The expansion of the military scared Europe, the industrialization of the railroad was a suspicion to other countries, and

The Great War; nationalism played a big role in this extremely event for trying to unite national groups by through government. It created a big competition against other country and created competitions between Europe’s Powers. Germany’s national interest was to extend their territory by trying to invade and take over other land and water, however it did not work well for them which made Gemany suffered.

World War I was a predictable outcome of the culture which was found in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. This culture developed out of events that occurred in the century preceding it. Some of the changes that occurred seemed subtle and insignificant at the time, but they left a lasting imprint on European history, and global history as a whole, in the form of the first and second World Wars. The culture of Europe shifted because of socioeconomic, demographic and sociopolitical developments that transpired, and these changes led to a culture emerging which was capable of witnessing World War I. They were not just capable of watching it unfold but actually worked hard to support the war effort in any capacity that they could. The main theme that emerges in the culture of Britain, France and Germany that emerged after all the changes which occurred in the hundred years preceding the First World War, is that it was extremely nationalistic, with its citizens willing to tolerate almost anything which would strengthen their country, and felt that protection of their country was imperative.

To some extent it is correct to state that the First World War started more by accident than by design. However, it can be argued that many nations within Europe had planned for war and some even pushed for war. Despite this, those nations never wished for a full scale ‘World War'. They were hoping for a war on a much smaller scale, for example, the earlier Balkan wars of 1912 and 1913. In this essay I will discuss both sides of the argument; an accidental war and the planned war. I will then conclude the essay with which side of the argument I believe holds the strongest position.

In 1871, Realpolitik was at its height when Otto von Bismarck of Prussia formed Germany. Bismarck was appointed as the prime minister of Prussia to crush the growing power of the liberals. It was his job to instill conservative values while avoiding progressive thinking with Western Europe. Bismarck used war as a political tactic by getting into wars he knew could win for Prussia. He lured Denmark and France into war to beat them and add to a growing sense of pride and nationalism within the German states. Two houses of government formed with the aristocracy having more power than the lower house. The biggest downside of Bismarck getting into wars with surrounding countries was that Germany was not industrializing over this period of time. Although, once Germany unified, Bismarck was able to jumpstart the economy by implementing a series of laws that would help businesses

World War I acted as a ripple effect rooted from conflicts between the five major powers and surrounding areas, each dispute within Europe during the 18th century formed alliances and created jealousy amongst the countries. The quote “World War I was not inevitable, as many historians say. It could have been avoided, and it was a diplomatically botched negotiation” is disagreeable as many factors contributed to the war. Each nation had a desire for dominance and control, a resilient confidence in their own nationalities, and wanted to create stronger armies and navies, making this war inevitable and non-negotiable. The five major powers during this time had a strong sense of nationalism, in which they wanted to expand their territory, and conquer lands in Africa, the Balkan Peninsula, and overseas, for more power, trade, and resources, and overall create the most powerful and influential country in Europe.

This important cause was probably the biggest reason why there was an approximate 42 million total forces mobilized across the world for WW1. In the Countries involved people felt that feeling of national pride, and it made them want to go and join the war. As the war progressed, more and more would keep leaving. Their kids were being persuaded just like in Militarism, to go out and fight. It was a good thing for them to go and die and fight for their country. For example in the movie “All quiet on the Western front” a soldier comes back from the war and goes to visit his old teacher, and when asked about how great and wonderful the war is the teacher and students are revolted to hear how he hates the war and how it's not a good thing to be in the war. On top of these things Germany and Britain were in a power race and France was trying to catch up. Knowing these things made the country's nationalistic feeling grow bigger and bigger. With the knowledge that with a victory could put any of these countries on

In conclusion, the tension among various countries drew out the blood of millions for the sake of war. The tension between these territorial lands had long existed whether it was for a drive for power, arms competition, egocentric selfishness, or misperception. The aggression of previous wars from the nineteenth century caused a chain reaction to the Great War as it would later create additional events which would later follow. The start of this war might have been one man’s ego that placed Germany’s insecurities into

It has been more than 100 years since Britain declared war on Germany on July 28th 1914 which sent the world plummeting into chaos and destruction. As we all know, war cannot be described by one single word, as it combines the aspects of desperation, evil, hate and misunderstood vengeance. Since the great wars, there still have been numerous nation conflicts such as terrorist groups who seek control over governments to establish their own theocratic state.

I agree on your point of view for the cause of WWI. Nationalism will always play a big role within countries. Having power and pride for one's home was a big deal during this time. "Competitive attitude" was a good way to describe it. I believe this behavior was necessary in causing the war.

The growth and spread of nationalism throughout Europe also contributed to the start of the war; in addition, unresolved disputes also played a major role (Lecture notes: August 18th, 5). Other contributing factors included: the formation of alliances, threats from each other and the perceived collapse of the balance of power throughout Europe. Convoluted and divided governance also acted as another contributing factor to the breakout of the war. This is because some governments were beginning to breakdown and divide which led to a weak system of governance. Imperial as well as colonial rivalry due to wealth, power, and prestige were also involved in the occurrence of the world war. Economic and military rivalry and clashes also led to the eruption of this war.