The World War and What was Behind It; Or, The Story of the Map of Europe — John Shaqi
The World War and What was Behind It; Or, The Story of the Map of EuropeBénézet, Louis Paul
History
The World War and What was Behind It; Or, The Story of the Map of Europe
Bénézet, Louis Paul
Europe -- History; World War, 1914-1918 -- Causes
The chapter, entitled “Europe as it Should Be,” with its accompanying
map, shows the boundaries of the various nations as they would look if
the bulk of the people of each nationality were included in a single
political division. In many places, it is, of course, impossible to
draw sharp lines. Greek shades off into Bulgar on one side and into
Skipetar and Serb on the other. Prague, the capital of the Czechs, is
one-third German in its population. There are large islands of Germans
and Magyars in the midst of the Roumanians of Transylvania. These are a
few examples out of many which could be cited. However, the general aim
of the chapter has been to divide the continent into nations, in each
of which the leading race would vastly predominate in population.
It is hoped that the study of this little work will not only throw
light upon the causes of war in general, but will also reveal its
cruelty and its needlessness. It is shown that the history of Europe
from the time of the great invasions by the Germanic tribes has been a
continuous story of government without the consent of the governed.
A preventive for wars, such as statesmen and philanthropists in many
countries have urged, is outlined in the closing chapter. It would seem
as though after this terrible demonstration of the results of armed
peace, the governments of the world would be ready to listen to some
plan which would forever forbid the possibility of another war. Just as
individuals in the majority of civilized countries discovered, a
hundred years ago, that it was no longer necessary for them to carry
weapons in order to insure their right to live and to enjoy protection,
so nations may learn at last that peace and security are preferable to
the fruits of brigandage and aggression. The colonies of America, after
years of jealousy and small differences, followed by a tremendous war,
at last learned this lesson. In the same way the states of Europe will
have to learn it. The stumbling blocks in the way are the remains of
feudal government in Europe and the ignorance and short-sightedness of
the common people in many countries. Ignorance is rapidly waning with
the advance of education, and we trust that feudalism will not long
survive its last terrible crime, the world war of 1914.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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