Introduction

Conflicts are bond to take place, where there was a time when the intensity of conflicts among nations, communities and states rose to either civil wars or some major wars. However, in the present era it is not easy to go for a major war, though short fuse wars are yet possible. The world is still aware and feared for the repercussions of the Great World Wars; at the same time have developed massive nuclear weapons of mass destruction that can blow the world with in seconds. Furthermore, due to the growing involvement of the international community, specifically the partially effective working of UNO, major wars have been avoided. However, many wars have been fought in the past amongst the most popular and disastrous were the World Wars. It was the World War I when biological and chemical weapons were used for the first time and trenches were dug in a large quantity. Therefore, these wars are also known as the Trench Warfare.

Moreover, during the period before and after the two major World Wars, the diplomatic history of Europe and the foreign as well as domestic policies of these countries were in constant change. Basically states make policies that suit their national and self-interest. Prior to globalization, the international political economic trends were different hence the interests of states were different. At that time, there was alliance system while presently globalization is leading to regionalism. Now the European countries are joining hands for their mutual interest. They are not only integrating economically for economic prosperity but also working together to eliminate the various social and economic issues of the world at large. Therefore, the contemporary priorities of the European powers are to avoid any future World War and help the world coping the various humanitarian issues. So now there is less prospects of a third World War.

This paper is based on the western history, therefore it will start from discussing the worst aspects of the trench warfare and some aspects of World War I & II, to the changing trends in the policies of European countries and the diplomatic history of Europe during the period of 1900-1925 and many more related aspects of the Western History.

Eye Deep In Hell and the worst aspects of Trench Warfare
During the World War I, trenches were immensely used. Basically trenches are static lines designed for defensive warfare. These are military constructions dug into the ground by both opposing armies, facing each other. Though the idea of trenches is not a new one as these were used many thousands of years before and introduced as a traditional innovation during the Islamic wars. However, the use of trench warfare is traced back to the American Civil war, the Russo-Japanese War, which later on lead to the First World War. Therefore, during the World War I, not only biological and chemical weapons were introduced but many other developments were made. These include the use of tanks, innovative war tactics like rolling barrage and crossfire, gas warfare and specifically trench warfare was the developed military tactics immensely used by the air force.

However, among the repercussions of the chemical and biological weapons to states and their societies, the aspects of trench warfare were worst. Lets try to understand some worst aspects of the trench warfare highlighted in the book, “Eye Deep In Hell”

Worst Aspects of Trench Warfare

A military historian, named John Ellis, writes “Eye Deep In Hell”. The uniqueness of the book is that it does not discuss the causes or repercussions or much about the events of World War I as other history writers did. The principle work found in the book is regarding the worst aspects of the trench warfare during the world war I. It provides information regarding the routine life of the army living in trenches, the designing of the trenches and the sufferings and problems faced by the soldiers who were in these trenches.

Deaths in Trenches:

One of the worst aspects of the trench warfare is the frequent death of men who were working in staying in trenches. This often happened due to the chemical gases opened during the war, firing and fragmented stuff of shelling of bombs and other chemical and biological weapons, when the grenades were tossed in the trenches. Though only few men got the chance to afford the luxury of sleep while others did not. Therefore, those who slept, they either slept in the trenches or on the sidelines. So along the military exercises and the extreme hard and dry life of the soldiers especially with in the trenches along the polluted environment, many soldiers became internally weak and resulted to a natural death. On the other hand majority men died due to the severe sufferings resulting from the firing, shelling and exposure to chemical gases that could not let them resist for long. While we are discussing the soldier’s life at trenches, it is also important to know that the soldiers and other men participating in the trenches warfare were to stay in the trenches for minimum 5 days.

Prompt Medical Treatment:

Though there was a constant supply of food and other immunities to the men living in trenches but at the same time, there were thousand ways to die while very few and precious ways to live due to lack of timely medical aid. Therefore, men and soldiers living in trenches were at the same time, facing tremendous life taking challenges, on the one hand were fighting the opponent army, and baring the strong after affects of the chemical gases as well as shelling of grenades. On the other hand fear and continuous work and mental and physical alertness did not allow them to eat properly and in times of hunger. Therefore, they were facing immense health problems and their body immune system stopped working. At the same time the circumstances did not allow any proper and prompt medical treatment in the trenches. This was the worst thing as it leads to painful deaths of the soldiers and those who could survive had a painful life and were living worse then death.

Psychological aspects:

Most of the soldiers had strong psychological effects as they knew the chances to survive their lives in the trenches is not much. The increasing number of deaths of other men and soldiers also feared them. At the same time, many were psychologically and physically not much healthy. So the unpleasant environment, the various health problems, sudden deaths in huge numbers, the strong shelling leading to assault as well as the soul shattering experiences and many other happenings in the trenches made most of the soldiers to lose their sanity after the war. Therefore, due to the unbelievable psychological pressure, hardly a few could recover their psychological health after the end of the war.

Political and Cultural changes in Europe: 1900-1925

During the period of 1900-1925, Europe was undergoing many social, political as well as economical changes. At one hand the various racial movements were bursting out from the Balkans, on the other hand various countries of Europe were changing their social and political culture. For instance, during 1901-1905, France separated the Church from the state and both started working independently. Similarly Germany started working to develop a high sea fleet to compete the British Navy, so the German law introduced a 20 years building program in this regard. At the same time, the Federation of Russian Social Revolutionary party, which is also known as the Bolsheviks gained recognition over all in Europe as well as in Asia and Far eastern side of the globe. With this the Russian revolution erupted in 1905 later started the Russo-Japanese War. Moreover, Entente cordiale was formed between Britain and France with this the Liberal government came to power in Britain, which resulted into many social, political as well as cultural reforms leading towards development of the country. Furthermore, the revolution of the Young Turks erupted in 1906 and in the same year Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. Though in the coming years monarchy came to an end in Portugal with the Portuguese revolution but later on, during 1914 the Balkan Wars started which motivated the involvement of the other European powers and Asian powers. This resulted into an alliance system between the various European powers and other countries of the globe, leading to the First World War.

However, many political, ideological as well as social and cultural changes occurred in Europe, during these fourteen years that burst into a major World War. On the other hand these cultural and political changes did not cool the frustration of the ideological and racial conflicts in the European countries. With the end of World War I, though chaos and frustration was temporary slow down with serious economic and social repercussions but sooner due to the rise of dictatorship in Germany and other social and political causes with in the western countries as well as other states, World War II was started.

Therefore, during the first three decades of the 20th Century, Europe undergoes immense cultural, political as well as economical changes.

Comparisons of Causes Of World War I & II

Though there were many social, political, military and ideological causes of both the Great World Wars. At the same time there are a few similarities and differences amongst these causes. However, only a few principle causes are compared in brief as under.
Ideological Causes:
During the First World War, liberalism among the upper middle class was one of the ideological causes. At the same time, the lower middle class was struggling for radicalism while other ideologies were socialism and conservatism that provoked the World War I. However, the rise of nationalism was at its peek underlying as one of the most important cause of the World War II. Every nation specifically Germany was leading for its national identity exposing fascism, totalitarianism and dictatorship all over the world. Basically Hitler and his Nazi’s party immensely used these two ideologies. On the other hand, America was promoting Capitalism while Russia and its supports were struggling for

socialism and communism.
Therefore, in both the Great World Wars, ideology played a boosting role while the directions of these ideologies were not really same, though the ideological causes of the World War II was an extension of First World War.

Economic Causes:
Though the countries other then Europe were not economically sound, but European countries were economically powerful. Therefore, the imperialistic powers were exercising imperialism at home and abroad, which was exploiting the European generations. At the same time, various movements were at rise that was a follow up of imperialism. For instance, “Pan” Movement. Similarly the Europeans gave economic concessions and extra privileges to Ottoman Empire and other vulnerable countries like Japan, China, and India. At the same time scientific technology was developing that was making all European countries materialistic.

Comparison of Bismarck and Hitler Bismarck
Otto Von Bismarck was the Minister-President of Prussia from 1862 –1871 and dominated the political arena of Europe for the last half of the 19th Century. The most important concern of Bismarck was to unite Germany; he believed to unite Germany under Prussian dominance. Though Bismarck very skillfully united Germany but could not succeed to preserve social and political harmony, which resulted into the future political crises of the country.

This was due to his autocratic policies as he immensely but diplomatically suppressed liberalism and democracy. Moreover, he did not support the Catholic slaves. He also introduces the common law codes, courts procedure as well as civil services of Prussian models, which made difficult for the states to fight for their individuality. Therefore, Bismarck failed to maintain political and social harmony in Germany as its policies gave rise to racial and religious conflicts. For instance, the Protestants and Catholics started fighting due to interference with in their religious rights by the laws sanctioned by Bismarck.

However, at the same time, the socialists’ movement arose against the anti-socialists laws. Consequently, Bismarck restricted all publications related to the socialist groups and banned the socialists organizations and various trade unions. At the same time he tried to balance social harmony by introducing social reforms like introducing various insurances. These include, health insurance either due to sickness or any industrial injury, it also includes the pensions. He also made education free and compulsory, even then could not maintain social harmony in the country and injured the political system as well.

Hitler

Adolph Hitler is famous as the absolute dictator of Germany and the one to initiate the World War II. Germany in Hitler’s reign conquered a major area of Europe, Asia and Africa with a single arm force. Though he was a self appointed commander of the German military but gained vote of confidence from the people due to his immediate policy of promises. As the people were suffering from unemployment and economic depression, he promised for economic reforms on all levels and to all classes of the society. For the time being this made the masses supportive to Hitler.

Though Hitler is a dictator and extremist leader but one of a kind who possess such strong and influential leadership skills. His moderate policies of Stresemann helped developing Germany with in only five years. As a result of his Stresemann’s policy, France, Britain and America were asked for reparation. Therefore, many European treaties and pacts were signed between these European countries and with in five years of Hitler’s social policies, Germany got economically prosperous and socially sound for some time. Nonetheless, as many of the promises were not fulfilled the masses started recognizing Hitler’s dictatorship.

Comparison

Though both the leaders promoted dictatorship and gave rise to totalitarianism, Hitler was more successful in making Germany economically prosperous and has the credit to make the German nation as an individual nation strong, which as a nation of Hitler is recognized even today by the world at large. However, Bismarck though has the credit to unite Germany but could not preserve social harmony. Thus, his weak social policies lead to the political turmoil of Germany.