Europe in 1914 ...

by fulltimestudent 3 Replies latest social current

• 

  fulltimestudent

  Try this BBC site:

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww1

  -----------------------------

  And as an aside, while studying a unit called Japan in Asia from 1840, I had cause to read a lot of commentary on the 1904/05 war between Japan and Imperial Russia. The Russians had a couple of fleets wiped out by the Japanese, and while the war finished in something of a stalemate, the way was open for Japan to annex Korea, and move into Manchuria. A lot of rethinking about that war has gone as part of the 100th anniversary a few years ago, and some observed that the Russo-Japanese 1904/5 war was the real turning point in history, with new approaches to warfare and that war's affect on international affairs (the beginning of the decline of Europe and the re-rise of Asia).

  The things we were taught by the WTS about the importance of WW1, are quite self-serving, with selected quotations designed to support Charlie Russel's chronology and its dependent interpretations of biblical passages such as the beasts of Revelation, now in the harsh light of reality (as distinct from the dream-like light they call 'new), the whole construction of chronology, prophecy and promises starts to crumble like a child's sandcastle in the sun.
• 

  Londo111

  Very true. WWI was not the first world war, nor was it the worst war up until that point of time, nor did it come like a "bolt out of the blue".

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYGvVntJbX4
• 

  kaik

  It is also crucial to understand that the war in Europe was already happening with the start of the I. Balkan War. The between Serbia, Bulgaria, and others in the Balkans and Ottoman Empire on the other hand eventually spilled over into Euroepan powerhouse as was Austria-Hungary. Austria was planning for war with Serbia since 1907 as there were tensions between these two since the coup in Belgrade of 1903.
• 

  JeffT

  To be fair to the Watchtower, they aren't alone in buying into the idea that everything was great until the Archduke was assinated and then the world was plunged into war. It's a commonly believed narrative that just doesn't have a basis in fact. I think the idea grew out of wartime propaganda (both sides were trying to blame the other for destroying the nice peaceful world). If I remember where I read that, I will post a link.