SlideShare a Scribd company logo
C u l t u r a l h i s t o r y c o n s t r u e s
t h e p h e n o m e n o n o f t h e
‘ L o n g X I X t h C e n t u r y ’ .
This period
(c. 1885 - 1915)
was the
‘Belle
Époque’
w hi ch r epr esents
a veritable
zenith of
Western
Civilization.
The European General War began
in August 1914, and was widely
expected to be settled before
t h e e n d o f t h a t y e a r .
Sadly, however, the Continental War
r a p i d l y m o r p h e d i n t o
g l o b a l w a r b y J a n u a r y 1 9 1 5 .
T hi s ci vi l i zati onal cut was mani fested by
post - war di f fer ences i n: ( 1 ) demog r a phi cs,
(2 ) technol og y, ( 3 ) phi l osophy, ( 4 ) aestheti cs,
(5 ) economi cs, and ( 6 ) geo - pol i ti cs - - al l separ ati ng
19th C traditionalism f r o m 20th C moder nism.
But why?
Why?
Why was this catastrophic war conducted?
For what reasons?
To benefit whom?
Cui bono ?
There are reasons
geo-political, geo-strategic, geo-economic; yet, a
fundamental socio-cultural historical critique remains.
Primarily, WWI was fought by Germany, Austria, Russia, and
Britain to maintain the domestic sociopolitical status quo of
a r i s t o c r a t i c d o m i n a n c e a g a i n s t r i s i n g p o p u l i s t
s o c i a l i s m .
Secondarily, WWI
was fought by
Britain, France,
and Russia to
maintain their
relative
nationalistic
freedom against
the economic,
industrial,
military, and
political
dominance of
Prussia.
Lastly, WWI was
fought by USA
and Japan to
advance their
n a t i o n a l i s t i c
f u t u r e
i n t e r e s t s .
Fundamentally, WWI was an horrible
struggle of the past with the future:
i t w a s a d e v a s t a t i n g
cultur al tr ansfor mation f r o m
traditionalism into modernism.
© Tully
Atkinson,
2019

More Related Content

What's hot

World War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor Report
World War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor ReportWorld War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor Report
World War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor Report
Stratfor
 
CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...
CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...
CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...
George Dumitrache
 
Conduct demographic research to
Conduct demographic research toConduct demographic research to
Conduct demographic research to
Moses Lutta
 
REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939
REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939
REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939
George Dumitrache
 
IGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIES
IGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIESIGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIES
IGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIES
George Dumitrache
 
Presentation1walkerwhite
Presentation1walkerwhitePresentation1walkerwhite
Presentation1walkerwhite
10walkerp
 

What's hot (6)

World War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor Report
World War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor ReportWorld War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor Report
World War 1 Retrospective: A Stratfor Report
 
CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...
CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...
CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: PAST PAPER EXPLAINED. THE ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR 1 AND RU...
 
Conduct demographic research to
Conduct demographic research toConduct demographic research to
Conduct demographic research to
 
REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939
REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939
REVISION IGCSE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY: THE PACT OF STEEL 1939
 
IGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIES
IGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIESIGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIES
IGCSE REVISION - PEACE TREATIES: THE OTHER TREATIES
 
Presentation1walkerwhite
Presentation1walkerwhitePresentation1walkerwhite
Presentation1walkerwhite
 

Similar to Why WWI?

German culpability for ww1...
German culpability for ww1...German culpability for ww1...
German culpability for ww1...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Ww2 Essay Topics
Ww2 Essay TopicsWw2 Essay Topics
Dennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mud
Dennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mudDennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mud
Dennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mud
ejdennison
 
Causes Of Ww1 Essay
Causes Of Ww1 EssayCauses Of Ww1 Essay
Causes Of Ww1 Essay
College Papers Writing Service
 
Long Term Causes Of World War 1 Essay
Long Term Causes Of World War 1 EssayLong Term Causes Of World War 1 Essay
Long Term Causes Of World War 1 Essay
Buy School Papers Brunswick
 
Causes Of WWI
Causes Of WWICauses Of WWI
Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018
Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018
Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018
ejdennison
 
Causes Of World War 1 Dbq
Causes Of World War 1 DbqCauses Of World War 1 Dbq
Contributes To Ww1
Contributes To Ww1Contributes To Ww1
Contributes To Ww1
lilmxdkid
 
Atlas Of The World War I I
Atlas  Of  The  World  War  I IAtlas  Of  The  World  War  I I
Atlas Of The World War I I
Torres Saavedra Nelson Alberto
 
Presentation9
Presentation9Presentation9
Presentation9
rbbrown
 
Cause Of World War 1 Essay
Cause Of World War 1 EssayCause Of World War 1 Essay
Cause Of World War 1 Essay
Best Write My Paper Website Salisbury
 

Similar to Why WWI? (12)

German culpability for ww1...
German culpability for ww1...German culpability for ww1...
German culpability for ww1...
 
Ww2 Essay Topics
Ww2 Essay TopicsWw2 Essay Topics
Ww2 Essay Topics
 
Dennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mud
Dennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mudDennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mud
Dennison Hist 390 things fall apart and then turn to mud
 
Causes Of Ww1 Essay
Causes Of Ww1 EssayCauses Of Ww1 Essay
Causes Of Ww1 Essay
 
Long Term Causes Of World War 1 Essay
Long Term Causes Of World War 1 EssayLong Term Causes Of World War 1 Essay
Long Term Causes Of World War 1 Essay
 
Causes Of WWI
Causes Of WWICauses Of WWI
Causes Of WWI
 
Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018
Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018
Hist a390 things fall apart and then turn to mud fall 2018
 
Causes Of World War 1 Dbq
Causes Of World War 1 DbqCauses Of World War 1 Dbq
Causes Of World War 1 Dbq
 
Contributes To Ww1
Contributes To Ww1Contributes To Ww1
Contributes To Ww1
 
Atlas Of The World War I I
Atlas  Of  The  World  War  I IAtlas  Of  The  World  War  I I
Atlas Of The World War I I
 
Presentation9
Presentation9Presentation9
Presentation9
 
Cause Of World War 1 Essay
Cause Of World War 1 EssayCause Of World War 1 Essay
Cause Of World War 1 Essay
 

More from Tully Atkinson, M.A.

Familiar American Trees
Familiar American TreesFamiliar American Trees
Familiar American Trees
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. V
Schubert Songs, Pt. VSchubert Songs, Pt. V
Schubert Songs, Pt. V
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. IV
Schubert Songs, Pt. IVSchubert Songs, Pt. IV
Schubert Songs, Pt. IV
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. III
Schubert Songs, Pt. IIISchubert Songs, Pt. III
Schubert Songs, Pt. III
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. II
Schubert Songs, Pt. IISchubert Songs, Pt. II
Schubert Songs, Pt. II
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique
20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique
20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Delbruck's discourse...
Delbruck's discourse...Delbruck's discourse...
Delbruck's discourse...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Brandenburg's view
Brandenburg's viewBrandenburg's view
Brandenburg's view
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Poems to know...
Poems to know...Poems to know...
Poems to know...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Discerning Lenin.
Discerning Lenin.Discerning Lenin.
Discerning Lenin.
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
The Curious Case of Franck...
The Curious Case of Franck...The Curious Case of Franck...
The Curious Case of Franck...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Van Beethoven's Greatness...
Van Beethoven's Greatness...Van Beethoven's Greatness...
Van Beethoven's Greatness...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
World-Power Competition in Asia...
World-Power Competition in Asia...World-Power Competition in Asia...
World-Power Competition in Asia...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Schubert's Style of Song...
Schubert's Style of Song...Schubert's Style of Song...
Schubert's Style of Song...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Skryabin & Cosmo Art...
Skryabin & Cosmo Art...Skryabin & Cosmo Art...
Skryabin & Cosmo Art...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Debussy et la Belle Époque
Debussy et la Belle ÉpoqueDebussy et la Belle Époque
Debussy et la Belle Époque
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...
1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...
1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 
Bruckner...
Bruckner...Bruckner...
Distopian Nightmare...
Distopian Nightmare...Distopian Nightmare...
Distopian Nightmare...
Tully Atkinson, M.A.
 

More from Tully Atkinson, M.A. (20)

Familiar American Trees
Familiar American TreesFamiliar American Trees
Familiar American Trees
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. V
Schubert Songs, Pt. VSchubert Songs, Pt. V
Schubert Songs, Pt. V
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. IV
Schubert Songs, Pt. IVSchubert Songs, Pt. IV
Schubert Songs, Pt. IV
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. III
Schubert Songs, Pt. IIISchubert Songs, Pt. III
Schubert Songs, Pt. III
 
Schubert Songs, Pt. II
Schubert Songs, Pt. IISchubert Songs, Pt. II
Schubert Songs, Pt. II
 
20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique
20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique
20 Objets d’Art Cinématographique
 
Delbruck's discourse...
Delbruck's discourse...Delbruck's discourse...
Delbruck's discourse...
 
Brandenburg's view
Brandenburg's viewBrandenburg's view
Brandenburg's view
 
Poems to know...
Poems to know...Poems to know...
Poems to know...
 
Discerning Lenin.
Discerning Lenin.Discerning Lenin.
Discerning Lenin.
 
The Curious Case of Franck...
The Curious Case of Franck...The Curious Case of Franck...
The Curious Case of Franck...
 
Van Beethoven's Greatness...
Van Beethoven's Greatness...Van Beethoven's Greatness...
Van Beethoven's Greatness...
 
World-Power Competition in Asia...
World-Power Competition in Asia...World-Power Competition in Asia...
World-Power Competition in Asia...
 
Schubert's Style of Song...
Schubert's Style of Song...Schubert's Style of Song...
Schubert's Style of Song...
 
Skryabin & Cosmo Art...
Skryabin & Cosmo Art...Skryabin & Cosmo Art...
Skryabin & Cosmo Art...
 
Debussy et la Belle Époque
Debussy et la Belle ÉpoqueDebussy et la Belle Époque
Debussy et la Belle Époque
 
13 pianists...
13 pianists...13 pianists...
13 pianists...
 
1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...
1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...
1908-09: Direct Cause of 1914...
 
Bruckner...
Bruckner...Bruckner...
Bruckner...
 
Distopian Nightmare...
Distopian Nightmare...Distopian Nightmare...
Distopian Nightmare...
 

Recently uploaded

South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)
South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)
South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)
Academy of Science of South Africa
 
MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE” .
MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE”           .MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE”           .
MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE” .
Colégio Santa Teresinha
 
Chapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptx
Chapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptxChapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptx
Chapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptx
Mohd Adib Abd Muin, Senior Lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia
 
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docx
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docxMain Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docx
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docx
adhitya5119
 
Pride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School District
Pride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School DistrictPride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School District
Pride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School District
David Douglas School District
 
Liberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdf
Liberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdfLiberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdf
Liberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdf
WaniBasim
 
writing about opinions about Australia the movie
writing about opinions about Australia the moviewriting about opinions about Australia the movie
writing about opinions about Australia the movie
Nicholas Montgomery
 
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold Method
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold MethodHow to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold Method
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold Method
Celine George
 
Digital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments Unit
Digital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments UnitDigital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments Unit
Digital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments Unit
chanes7
 
DRUGS AND ITS classification slide share
DRUGS AND ITS classification slide shareDRUGS AND ITS classification slide share
DRUGS AND ITS classification slide share
taiba qazi
 
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP Module
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP ModuleHow to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP Module
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP Module
Celine George
 
What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...
What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...
What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...
GeorgeMilliken2
 
Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5
Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5
Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5
sayalidalavi006
 
The Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collection
The Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collectionThe Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collection
The Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collection
Israel Genealogy Research Association
 
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17
Celine George
 
RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3
RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3
RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3
IreneSebastianRueco1
 
S1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptx
S1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptxS1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptx
S1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptx
tarandeep35
 
Azure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHat
Azure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHatAzure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHat
Azure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHat
Scholarhat
 
World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024
World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024
World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024
ak6969907
 
C1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptx
C1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptxC1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptx
C1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptx
mulvey2
 

Recently uploaded (20)

South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)
South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)
South African Journal of Science: Writing with integrity workshop (2024)
 
MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE” .
MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE”           .MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE”           .
MARY JANE WILSON, A “BOA MÃE” .
 
Chapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptx
Chapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptxChapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptx
Chapter 4 - Islamic Financial Institutions in Malaysia.pptx
 
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docx
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docxMain Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docx
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docx
 
Pride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School District
Pride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School DistrictPride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School District
Pride Month Slides 2024 David Douglas School District
 
Liberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdf
Liberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdfLiberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdf
Liberal Approach to the Study of Indian Politics.pdf
 
writing about opinions about Australia the movie
writing about opinions about Australia the moviewriting about opinions about Australia the movie
writing about opinions about Australia the movie
 
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold Method
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold MethodHow to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold Method
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold Method
 
Digital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments Unit
Digital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments UnitDigital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments Unit
Digital Artifact 1 - 10VCD Environments Unit
 
DRUGS AND ITS classification slide share
DRUGS AND ITS classification slide shareDRUGS AND ITS classification slide share
DRUGS AND ITS classification slide share
 
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP Module
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP ModuleHow to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP Module
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP Module
 
What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...
What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...
What is Digital Literacy? A guest blog from Andy McLaughlin, University of Ab...
 
Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5
Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5
Community pharmacy- Social and preventive pharmacy UNIT 5
 
The Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collection
The Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collectionThe Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collection
The Diamonds of 2023-2024 in the IGRA collection
 
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17
 
RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3
RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3
RPMS TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR TEACHER 1 TO TEACHER 3
 
S1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptx
S1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptxS1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptx
S1-Introduction-Biopesticides in ICM.pptx
 
Azure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHat
Azure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHatAzure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHat
Azure Interview Questions and Answers PDF By ScholarHat
 
World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024
World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024
World environment day ppt For 5 June 2024
 
C1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptx
C1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptxC1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptx
C1 Rubenstein AP HuG xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.pptx
 

Why WWI?

  • 1.
  • 2. C u l t u r a l h i s t o r y c o n s t r u e s t h e p h e n o m e n o n o f t h e ‘ L o n g X I X t h C e n t u r y ’ .
  • 3.
  • 4. This period (c. 1885 - 1915) was the ‘Belle Époque’ w hi ch r epr esents a veritable zenith of Western Civilization.
  • 5. The European General War began in August 1914, and was widely expected to be settled before t h e e n d o f t h a t y e a r .
  • 6. Sadly, however, the Continental War r a p i d l y m o r p h e d i n t o g l o b a l w a r b y J a n u a r y 1 9 1 5 .
  • 7.
  • 8. T hi s ci vi l i zati onal cut was mani fested by post - war di f fer ences i n: ( 1 ) demog r a phi cs, (2 ) technol og y, ( 3 ) phi l osophy, ( 4 ) aestheti cs, (5 ) economi cs, and ( 6 ) geo - pol i ti cs - - al l separ ati ng 19th C traditionalism f r o m 20th C moder nism.
  • 9. But why? Why? Why was this catastrophic war conducted? For what reasons? To benefit whom? Cui bono ? There are reasons geo-political, geo-strategic, geo-economic; yet, a fundamental socio-cultural historical critique remains.
  • 10. Primarily, WWI was fought by Germany, Austria, Russia, and Britain to maintain the domestic sociopolitical status quo of a r i s t o c r a t i c d o m i n a n c e a g a i n s t r i s i n g p o p u l i s t s o c i a l i s m .
  • 11. Secondarily, WWI was fought by Britain, France, and Russia to maintain their relative nationalistic freedom against the economic, industrial, military, and political dominance of Prussia.
  • 12. Lastly, WWI was fought by USA and Japan to advance their n a t i o n a l i s t i c f u t u r e i n t e r e s t s .
  • 13. Fundamentally, WWI was an horrible struggle of the past with the future: i t w a s a d e v a s t a t i n g cultur al tr ansfor mation f r o m traditionalism into modernism.