THE GREAT WAR - THE GREAT MISTAKE
As we approach the one hundred year anniversary of the end of WW1 and Veterans Day I just want to give my opinion of the war. In my view WW1 was a war that should never have been fought. There was no justification for it. The war started in the Summer of 1914 over the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and his wife by a Serbian nationalist. The Great War, as it was called, would destroy the Austro-Hungarian empire and make it possible for a group of Communist thugs to take control of Russia. One tyrannical government would be replaced by one that was much worse. By the Spring of 1918 the Germans, British, and French had been bled white by this senseless war. On March 21, 1918 the German's launched the Ludendorf Offensive. This was a last ditch effort to defeat the British and French before the vast resources and manpower of the United States would stack the odds against them. The British and French were barely able to stop the Germans. Without reinforcements the Allies were in no shape to launch a counteroffensive to exploit their victory. The war was temporarily stalemated. America declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. This was a great mistake on our part. We had no business getting into that war. Our justification was Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare against our shipping. In Germany's defense they were fighting for their survival and unrestricted submarine warfare made sense from a military standpoint. We were not exactly neutral bystanders. America was supplying material aid to England and France in our transport ships. After our declaration of war it took a while for the Americans to get their troops to the front lines in any great numbers. The British & French wanted to integrate American troops into their own units so as to get them to the front quicker. To General John Pershing's credit he insisted on Americans fighting in American units and under American commanders.
When American troops did arrive on the Western Front it breathed new life into the British and French war effort. Our fresh troops enabled the French and Germans to launch a counteroffensive that would drive the Germans out of France toward Germany's border. The threat of Germany's collapse would compel German leaders to ask for an armistice. The problem with an armistice is that there is no clear winner or loser. An armistice is an agreement by both sides to a ceasefire. The Allies were okay with this because Britain lost 750,000 men in this war. France Lost 1.4 million and a whole generation of young men. American losses were 116,708. This was a drop in the bucket compared to Europe's numbers but very heavy considering that we were only in the war for about eighteen months. We were only heavily involved for less than a year. Over 60,000 of these troops died as a result of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. This war produced the worst casualties of any war in world history until that point. Ten million soldiers died from all nations involved. In addition there were seven million civilian casualties.
Although Germany agreed to an armistice they were forced to agree to some harsh terms and were forced to pay heavy reparations to the allied powers. These reparations would help fuel a period of hyperinflation that would give rise to the popularity of Adolph Hitler. It was during the hyperinflation period that Hitler became known in Germany. Hitler was able to grow the Nazi Party. When the economy began to improve Hitler's influence waned. The worldwide depression of the early thirties would catapult him into the powerful position of German Chancellor. Germany was also forced to form a Democratic government which came to be called the Weimar Republic. This transition from monarchy to Democracy might have worked. The German tradition of militarism, the economic stresses of hyperinflation and the depression contributed to it's collapse. Finally the armistice gave rise to Hitlers "Big Lie" that Germany had been stabbed in the back by the Jews. He capitalized on Europes historic anti-Semitism which made this lie appealing to many Germans. The terms of the armistice forced Germany to diminish its navy and army to a purely defensive force. This was a mark of shame for a country so steeped in military tradition.
When American troops did arrive on the Western Front it breathed new life into the British and French war effort. Our fresh troops enabled the French and Germans to launch a counteroffensive that would drive the Germans out of France toward Germany's border. The threat of Germany's collapse would compel German leaders to ask for an armistice. The problem with an armistice is that there is no clear winner or loser. An armistice is an agreement by both sides to a ceasefire. The Allies were okay with this because Britain lost 750,000 men in this war. France Lost 1.4 million and a whole generation of young men. American losses were 116,708. This was a drop in the bucket compared to Europe's numbers but very heavy considering that we were only in the war for about eighteen months. We were only heavily involved for less than a year. Over 60,000 of these troops died as a result of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. This war produced the worst casualties of any war in world history until that point. Ten million soldiers died from all nations involved. In addition there were seven million civilian casualties.
Although Germany agreed to an armistice they were forced to agree to some harsh terms and were forced to pay heavy reparations to the allied powers. These reparations would help fuel a period of hyperinflation that would give rise to the popularity of Adolph Hitler. It was during the hyperinflation period that Hitler became known in Germany. Hitler was able to grow the Nazi Party. When the economy began to improve Hitler's influence waned. The worldwide depression of the early thirties would catapult him into the powerful position of German Chancellor. Germany was also forced to form a Democratic government which came to be called the Weimar Republic. This transition from monarchy to Democracy might have worked. The German tradition of militarism, the economic stresses of hyperinflation and the depression contributed to it's collapse. Finally the armistice gave rise to Hitlers "Big Lie" that Germany had been stabbed in the back by the Jews. He capitalized on Europes historic anti-Semitism which made this lie appealing to many Germans. The terms of the armistice forced Germany to diminish its navy and army to a purely defensive force. This was a mark of shame for a country so steeped in military tradition.
It is my belief that if America had remained neutral and not involved itself in this nonsensical Euopean bloodbath World War Two might have been prevented. The French and Germans would have been forced to end the war on terms more favorable to the Germans. This would have robbed Hitler of his " Stab in the back" lie directed at the Jews. England was nearly bankrupted by the war and began it's decline as a world power. France was bled white. Without the ability to win an outright victory an armistice would have been the only solution for Britain, France and Germany. Germany would not have gone through such economic turmoil. At least early on. World War Two was simply a renewal of the unresolved issues from World War One. Because of the tremendous loss of life and treasure on the allied side England, France, and ultimately America were very reluctant to go to war again. They were very eager in 1914 and very reluctant in 1939. This was very unfortunate because Hitler was a real threat to world peace. If France and England had stood up to Hitler as early as his invasion of the Rhineland in 1936 Hitler might have been contained. Even he admitted to this. Britain and France were so reluctant to go to war that when they finally did it was almost too late. The world would sacrifice 60 million people in World War Two.
Although America had a long tradition of isolationism World War One hardened that isolationism. Because of our needless sacrifice the vast majority of Americans were against entering another foreign war. A poll taken before Pearl Harbor revealed that 94% of the American people were against going to war. Pearl Harbor changed us overnight but we were wanting to go to war against the Japanese and not the German's. A Gallop poll taken after Pearl Harbor revealed that 97% were in favor of going to war. Hitlers declaration of war on the U.S. four days after Pearl Harbor changed our attitude toward Germany. This Veterans Day will not only be the day to honor our Veterans but it will be the hundred year anniversary of the end of the 2nd worst war in world history. Until 1954 Veterans Day was called Armistice Day. I am old enough that I remember WW1 veterans. My grandparents told me about whistles blowing and bells ringing in celebration when the end of the war was announced. They said that people danced in the streets. November 11th should be a day that we honor our veterans and the veterans of that war. The Great War should be a reminder for us to choose our wars wisely. We shouldn't rush into a war without knowing that we are fully justified. On the other hand we should never be reluctant to contain a real threat to peace when it arises.
Although America had a long tradition of isolationism World War One hardened that isolationism. Because of our needless sacrifice the vast majority of Americans were against entering another foreign war. A poll taken before Pearl Harbor revealed that 94% of the American people were against going to war. Pearl Harbor changed us overnight but we were wanting to go to war against the Japanese and not the German's. A Gallop poll taken after Pearl Harbor revealed that 97% were in favor of going to war. Hitlers declaration of war on the U.S. four days after Pearl Harbor changed our attitude toward Germany. This Veterans Day will not only be the day to honor our Veterans but it will be the hundred year anniversary of the end of the 2nd worst war in world history. Until 1954 Veterans Day was called Armistice Day. I am old enough that I remember WW1 veterans. My grandparents told me about whistles blowing and bells ringing in celebration when the end of the war was announced. They said that people danced in the streets. November 11th should be a day that we honor our veterans and the veterans of that war. The Great War should be a reminder for us to choose our wars wisely. We shouldn't rush into a war without knowing that we are fully justified. On the other hand we should never be reluctant to contain a real threat to peace when it arises.
1. There are 16.1 million living veterans today.
2. 5.2 million veterans served in peace time.
3. Two million veterans are women.
4. Seven million veterans served during the Vietnam War. - I served during Vietnam
5. 5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War - I served during the Persian Gulf War
6. Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 558,000 are still alive.
7. 2 million veterans served during the Korean War
8. Six million veterans served in peace time.
2. 5.2 million veterans served in peace time.
3. Two million veterans are women.
4. Seven million veterans served during the Vietnam War. - I served during Vietnam
5. 5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War - I served during the Persian Gulf War
6. Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 558,000 are still alive.
7. 2 million veterans served during the Korean War
8. Six million veterans served in peace time.
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