War Is Stupid: Remembering Armistice Day Before Veterans Day

Doug Bandow Another year, another Veterans Day. But November 11 began as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I.  The day remains a stark reminder of the stupidity of war. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 World War I came to an end.  In succeeding years allied states commemorated the conflict’s end on November 11. Some 20 million people died in World War I.  The horrific conflict brought down the continent’s established order, loosed the pestilence of totalitarianism, and led to even deadlier World War II.  The Great War, as it was originally called, was stupid beyond measure. As the 20th century dawned, Europe enjoyed both peace and prosperity.  However, Europe’s environment was combustible.  One match strike set the continent ablaze. On June 28, 1914 the Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip gunned down Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne, in Sarajevo, capital of the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia. Vienna decided to use this act of state terrorism to break its Serbian antagonist.  Germany stood by its ally.  However, Serbia was backed by Russia, which in turn was allied with France.  As conflict erupted other combatants jumped or were drawn in.  The contending blocs, the Central Powers versus the Entente, acted as transmission belts of war. There really was little to choose from between the two militaristic blocs.  The sins of the Central Powers are well-know...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Source Type: blogs