Emotions In The Great War

History is insipidly defined as the study of past events. However, every historian knows that history is more than a mere compilation of facts; it is the study of humanity. Every menial task we do in life is driven by something we overlook frequently: emotion. Emotions are the foundation of our lives, and are capable of altering our nature and actions. Consequently, to truly understand an event in history, we must delve into the emotions experienced, which act as the true human motivators. Throughout its atrocious duration, the Great War was filled with distinctive emotions ranging from anger all the way to sympathy and hope.

One of the most prevalent and influential emotions that caused the war was none other than anger. While anger was prominent

The Russians supported their young brother Serbia, feeling sympathetic and obligated to not let their fellow Slavs down again as they had in the Bosnian Crisis of 1908. Likewise, Germany demonstrated loyalty to their ally Austria-Hungary by giving them a “Blank Check” on July 5, pledging unconditional support. Signs of desperation were then seen in the Willy-Nicky telegrams in which cousins Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia attempted to prevent the war. However, this was too late as Russia had already began mobilizing, and so Germany who were loyal to allies Austria Hungary declared war on Russia and France. Thus, Germany implemented their “Schliefen Plan” which was driven by German fear of encirclement and a two-front war. As a result, Germany invaded Belgium in order to achieve their goal of swiftly defeating France. However, in 1839 Britain had promised to defend Belgian neutrality, and so now felt sympathetic and obligated to help Belgium. Likewise, Britain had to be loyal to their fellow allies France and Russia, and so joined the war on August

Likewise, the sympathy and loyalty of allies like Russia and Germany transformed the war from a regional war to a world war. However, once the war was underway new emotions took over such as hope and pride, which were vital in the continuation and development of the war. Nevertheless, we must remember that while it is easy for us to analyze the value of such emotions in retrospect, at the time these emotions where less important to those suffering. For these people, the reason for these horrific actions was less important than the result of the actions. As Gandhi explains, “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?” There was one mutual emotion that united every country in Europe by the end of the war: discontent. With a staggering 37 million casualties throughout the war, there was little to be optimistic about. Nevertheless, the creation of the League of Nations at the end of the war showed progression. In theory, the League of Nations gave an opportunity for nations to diplomatically express their emotions in order to prevent war, rather than holding them in just as Austria and Serbia did. Despite this aspiration, the league practically failed immediately by not giving Germany the ability to