[crosshairs]

Evil preys on the weak.

[Captain Kirk]

Silly argument. If only the so-called “pacifists” had had their way in 1914. If France, Britain, and Russia had wanted peace, at worst, there would have been a localized war between Serbia and Austria. World War I was unnnecessary. Without that war, we would have never had Hitler, Lenin, or Stalin

[Captain Kirk]

Silly argument. If only the so-called “pacifists” had had their way in 1914 the world would be a much better place today. If France, Britain, and Russia had wanted peace in 1914, at worst, there would have been a localized war between Serbia and Austria. Even in the case of Belgium, that country was hardly worth the slaughter of a generation. World War I was unnnecessary. Without that war, we would have never had Hitler, Lenin, or Stalin

[GonzoGOP]

This is nothing new. The Romans said it best, Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war). The Japanese said it another way. After a victory, tighten your helmet straps.

[Frantzie]

Wrong. He is an Islamist. This is all about Islam taking over. The stupid sheep in the west are easily manipulated by TV and the media.

[Marty62]

When this writer called Soros an anti-War type...he lost ME.

Soros is the biggest war monger of them all.

War on capitalism, heavy collateral damage in U.S.
War on Republicans...collateral damage in the Dummie community (well that is a redeeming fact)
War on Bank of England..Collateral damage among depositors.

War on Israel....collateral damage to be determined.

[Mike Darancette]

Had GB remained steadfast at Munich against Hitler’s demands to annex part of Czechoslovakia WWII might have been averted as well.

[Tublecane]

It wasn’t just what happened in 1914. That was simply the dénouement. Decades of passivity, ambiguity, and pusillanimity in the face of German aggrandizement and daring predated that fateful year.

[r9etb]

The premise of the article is immensely flawed, and the author’s take on the events of 1914 are inaccurate.

[Flag_This]

"How Pacifism Led to the Great War -- and Could Lead Us into the Next One">

The Franco-Prussian War led to WWI.

[denydenydeny]

A better argument would involve the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact that “banned war.” I would argue that reliance on that worthless treaty kept Britain and France from realizing the danger they were facing in Germany until it was too late.

[surfer]

At this point it is just pure stupidity as they know for a fact where this will end up.

But then again these are Progressives and they probably don’t mind a good culling right about now...

[The Comedian]

Doomed Kitty... ...

is doomed.

Today is a good day to die.
I didn't say for whom.

[tanknetter]

the deposed German emperor confirmed to this young British scholar that if he had only known that Britain would declare war, he would never have allowed his generals to invade Belgium!

This one statement illustrates why alternate history/what-if scenarios can be interesting a lot of fun, they don't work too well as a serious exploration of history.

Note that the Kaiser indicated that he wouldn't have allowed his generals to "invade Belgium". NOT that he wouldn't have allowed them to invade France through other paths.

So you can't assume that the war doesn't happen, just that it doesn't involve an invasion of Belgium. So, what are the possibilities? Does the Kaiser decide not to go to war? Does he order his generals to take another path to invade France? Is that path a repeat of 1870, or is France able to halt the German offensive, resulting in either a stalemate or the ability to launch a counter offensive into Germany? Does Britain, with Belgian neutrality assured, really stay out of the war ... and for how long?

Ultimately, chaos theory comes into play, as alternate historical path drives multiple possible decisions ... each one of which drives a different development to the original scenario, branching off like a tree.

[headsonpikes]

Good thread.

I highly recommend Goodspeed’s “The German Wars” for a synoptic view of WWI and II.

http://www.amazon.com/German-Wars-1914-1945-D-Goodspeed/dp/0395257131

[headsonpikes]

Good thread.

I highly recommend Goodspeed’s “The German Wars” for a synoptic view of WWI and II.

http://www.amazon.com/German-Wars-1914-1945-D-Goodspeed/dp/0395257131