(November 10, 2015 at 7:31 pm)abaris Wrote:(November 10, 2015 at 7:25 pm)Anomalocaris Wrote: In ways effecting much larger numbers than the population of Europe, WWI was beneficial for the development of the 20th century. It is hard to imagine a Europe, complete in its self confidence and not weakened by 2 vicious bouts of self disembowments, would have relinquished any part of the colonial control it exercised over almost all of the world. WWI started the painful but ultimately beneficial reduction of European world hegemony.
No, it wasn't. It only sparked nationalism and Europe cannibalisng itself. Over the decades, things would have taken a natural course. Just like the communist block in the 80ies. WWI and the ensuing treaties only sparked resentment and the ultimatel rise of Hitler and Mussolini. Also Japanese expansionism wouldn't have happened in the same way. They got bold in WWI.
There's nothing positive about WWI.l Only negatives on every side.
The natural course at the time was not for Europe to reduce colonial commitment leading to eventual ending of colonialism. Such nationalism as WWI sparked outside Europe as a driving force in ejecting weakened European powers from their colonies. So they were a positive outcome from WWI. Japanese expansion may not have happened the same way. But European domination in the area where Japan waged a relatively short lived expansion would likely have lasted much longer.
Yes, WWI was terrible for Europe. But terrible for Europe in 1914-1918 was ultimately good for the world.
