Right up to the war, Europe's power elites were driven: motivated by chauvinistic demands, a spirit of aggression and hopes for a quick victory. Although this study clearly identifies the tendencies that led to disaster, it refrains from turning the investigation of the causes into a court case. Thus the traumatizing events themselves are the focus of attention - with their scenes and developments. From trench warfare, the stalemate of defensive fire, to the birth of a new war of movement - from the bankruptcy of war to its revival. And it also looks at the consequences of the carnage: First, the effects on the human soul, as revealed in war neuroses and literary testimonies. On the other hand, the political consequences from which humanity suffers to this day.
Author(s): Lutz Unterseher
Publisher: Springer VS
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 101
City: Wiesbaden
Instead of an Introduction: A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Lucid Foresight
Focus
Contents
1: Before the War: Powers and Machinations
Imperialism and Nationalism
Profiles and Potentials
States
Constellations and Relationships
Aggressive Spirit and a Dangerous Race
Military Thinking
Trigger
Mobilization, Declarations of War
Maritime Power as a Symbol
Imperial Dreams and the “Risk Fleet”
On the Way to the Dreadnought
The Great Competition
2: An Overview: Major Theatres
West, East and Italy
The French Front
The Russian Front
The Italian Front
The Balkans and the Near East
The Balkans
The Near East
Cruiser War: Battle for Colonies
Cruisers
Colonies
3: Technology, Tactics: Victory of the Defensive
Weapons for the Defence
The Automation of Fire
Mechanization: Hydraulics for the Artillery
Development of Positional Warfare
Building a Complex System
Statics and Movement
Two Major Disasters
Verdun
Aisne: Champagne
4: Perspective: Ways to Save the War
Concept of Dynamics
Breakthrough: Background and Sketch
Element “Artillery”
Element “Sturmtruppen”
Spectacular Failure
Technologies of Mobility
Tank
Gas
Zeppelin
Aircraft
The Submarine: Poison Fang of the Weak
Key Questions
Deficits of German Maritime Power
Submarine: History
Imperial Navy: Submarines and the War Effort
Results
Submarine Warfare as a Doom
5: Matériel Battle: Effect on Soul and Spirit
The Great Tremor
A New Phenomenon
War Scenario
Irritating Symptoms
School Dispute Among Psychiatrists
Opportunism
Psychoanalytical Positions
Hardly Any Prophylaxis: Cruel Therapy
Accusation
Investigation
Another War: Other Symptoms
How Jünger Wanted to Save the War
Reputation
“Stahlgewitter”
Jünger’s War Experience
Remarque’s Commitment
Career
“All Quiet on the Western Front” as a Humane Testimony
Remarque and the National Socialists
After the Second World War
6: Aftermath: Reshaping the World
Boost for Nationalism
Trend
Ethnic Cleansing
Burden in Palestine
Two Cocks in a Narrow Yard
Poor Prospects
A Higher Level
League of Nations
United Nations
Material Annex
Casualty Figures
Data for Selected Countries
Demographics
Author
Reading List
