Author: Ian Kershaw
Translator: Lin Hua
Publisher: CITIC Publishing Group
Publication time: December 1, 2018
Chapter 1 Cliff Edge
We certainly believe in pacifism! But we must allocate a budget for installing cannons.
General Stum's Words in Robert Muzier's "The Man Without Personality" (1930-1942)
At that time, there were already signs that once war broke out, it would mean the end of an era.
The most famous isSir Edward Grey, British Foreign SecretaryThe ominous feeling expressed by Sir Edward Grey on August 3, 1914: "The lights across Europe are gradually going out. We will never see them reignite in this lifetime What do you think about this?
German Chancellor Theobald von Bateman HollwegTheobald von Bethmann Hollweg also had a premonition that disaster was imminent. At the end of July 1914, as the shadow of war approached, he exclaimed, "I see the shadow that cannot be resisted by human power looming over Europe and our own people Have you tried this before? Share your story!
In the past three years,German Socialist August BebelIn a speech to the German parliament, August Bebel, under intense questioning and dissent, proposed that,The threat of war in Europe is increasing day by day, and war will bring huge disasters to EuropeHe announced:“The Twilight of the Gods in the Capitalist WorldG ö tterd ä mmerung is approaching The war did not lead to the collapse of capitalism and the victory of socialism, as Bebel claimed. However, he accurately foresaw that war would bring about a new era. Don't forget to share your experience!
Later,American diplomat George KennanGeorge Kennan described the First World War as a 'disaster of immense impact'. What he said is true. The First World War was indeed a disaster, which opened the "Thirty Years' War" of the 20th century and almost destroyed Europe itself. What do you think about this?
Chapter 2: The Great Disaster
The silent crowd... The troops march forward with military music, don't forget that these people are walking towards the slaughterhouse.
Diary of Michel Corday, a civil servant in Paris (July 14, 1915)
After August 1914, the world was turned upside down. It has been 14 years since the beginning of the new century, but that event will soon be known as Let me know your thoughts in the comments!The Great WarThe war is the true symbol ofThe beginning of the 20th century in EuropeThe period between the beginning of the century indicated on the calendar and the catastrophic war that Europe fell into belongs to the previous era. The new era that began after August 1914 was even more terrifying. What do you think about this?
Chapter 3: Peaceful and Chaotic Situation
This is not called peace. This is called a 20-year ceasefire.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch's View on the Treaty of Versailles (1919)
The post-war situation can be considered a kind of peace, but I've found that it's often hoped to be different from peace. Just as a tsunami occurs after an earthquake, there was also a huge upheaval after World War I. The intense turmoil lasted for five years before finally subsiding. The soldiers who returned to their fields after retiring found that the country's politics, society, and ideology had undergone tremendous changes. War destroyed political systems, destroyed economies, divided societies, and gave birth to radical utopian ideals of building a better world. What do you think about this?
The First World War is known as the 'War of War'. So, why did it actually pave the way for another more devastating catastrophe? Don't forget to share your experience!
Why has the dream of millions of people hoping to maintain peace, achieve higher levels of freedom and equality, and build a better society on this basis so quickly become a bubble? How did Europe lay the foundation for the different ideologies represented by communism, fascism, and liberal democracy, which are three incompatible political systems competing for dominance? In the crisis years of the beginning and end of the Great War, the situation was difficult. Why did communism only succeed in Russia, fascism only won in Italy, and democracy persisted in most other parts of Europe, especially in Germany, a country located at the center of the continent? Don't forget to share your experience!
Chapter 4: The Dance of the Volcano
If asked what the meaning and purpose of life is, the only answer they can give is: "We don't know what the purpose of life is, and we don't want to know. But since we are alive, we want to enjoy life as much as possible Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
A Protestant clergyman's commentary on the "proletarian youth" in German cities (1929)
In 1924, the bright future of Europe was unprecedented in the previous decade.The economy destroyed by war is gradually recovering. The living conditions are starting to improve. The threat to international peace is smaller than at any time since 1914. The violent turmoil on the European continent is tending to subside. Cultural creation and innovation are flourishing. As the terrifying memories of war gradually fade away, it seems that the whole of Europe has been reborn. After a long and dark winter, people finally welcome spring. Especially for young people, a more carefree new era is beginning to emerge. Jazz, Charleston dance, and modern girls, these American imports were seen by many at the time and later as symbols of Europe's own "roaring twenties". Don't forget to share your experience!Some people also refer to that era as the 'Golden Twenties'.People finally have greater hope and optimism for the future. The worst is already over. At least it seems so.
But,Just five years later, the Great Wall Street Crash in New York triggered an unprecedentedly severe global capitalist crisisThe crisis swept across Europe, plunging the continent into a terrible economic depression vortex. It shattered hopes for peace and prosperity, undermined democracy, and paved the way for a new war that was even greater than the last one. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Is Europe steadily moving towards future peace and prosperity, overcoming the disasters brought by war, but unfortunately encountering the unpredictable and inevitable power of economic depression? What do you think about this?Or did some ominous signs of the situation's development be concealed during Europe's post-war recovery and fully exposed as the economic crisis swept across Europe? In 1928, during the booming economic recovery, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Gustav StresemannGustav Stresemann provided ear piercing advice on unfounded optimism. The German economy, which is central to the recovery of Europe, has indeed improved compared to the dark period of hyperinflation. However, Stresemann said that Germany's economy is still unstable, like dancing on a volcano. This metaphor is not only appropriate for Germany's situation, but also for the entire Europe. Europe is still happily dancing the Charleston dance, unaware of the impending disaster that will drag this continent into an era of frequent crises. What do you think about this?
Chapter 5: The Four Harmony of Haze
Sinking into the abyss along the slippery slope, nowhere to be seen.
Order and cleanliness, work and comfort, progress and hope, all gone forever.
Hans Falada's "Little People, What to Do?" (1932)
The grip of the Great Depression began to tighten in 1930. It is nothing short of a major disaster for Europe. The impact on Europe was not evenly distributed, and some countries survived the Great Depression with a sound economic and political structure. The impact varies within different countries and regions. Even in economies experiencing severe recession, some sectors have seen growth. Nevertheless, the damage caused by that economic recession was still enormous, deep and widespread, and no country was unscathed. What do you think about this?
During the Great Depression, political divisions in Europe were exposed. Europe is essentially divided into two parts.The region where democracy can survive is only northwest Europe, in addition to Finland, Czechoslovakia, and Spain (which did not survive for long in the latter two countries). In other places, authoritarianism has prevailed, although in different forms. Over this continent, which is economically and politically fragmented, clouds are rapidly gathering. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Chapter 6 Hazardous Areas
Experience has shown, "Gretkin said," that for any difficult and complex process, simple and understandable explanations must be provided to the public. Based on my knowledge of history, I believe that humanity cannot be without scapegoats What do you think about this?
Taken from Arthur Kusler's "Midday Darkness" (1940)
Around 1934, the worst of the economic crisis had passed, and Europe had also undergone changes - becoming more dangerous.The post-war system is on the verge of collapse.The conflict between the three ideologies of fascism, Bolshevism, and liberal democracy is increasingly intensifying.
Chapter 7: Towards the Abyss
We must never adapt to the situation and just slack off, avoiding solving problems. We must adapt the situation to our requirements. It is impossible to achieve this without 'breaking into' other countries or attacking the property of other people. Don't forget to share your experience!
Adolf Hitler's Speech to Military Generals, May 23, 1939
1914-1918The great war that caused millions of people to bleed on the battlefield has just passed a generation, and most Europeans are still afraid of war. What do you think about this?However, by the late 1930s, it was clear that the momentum towards another war was accelerating unstoppably.
This time, the situation is not that political and military leaders have "slipped over the edge" or unknowingly "sleepwalked into" a major disaster that they only have a vague premonition of. This time, a clearly aggressive power took action, gradually eliminating all other possibilities, leaving only two choices: either to go to war or to let Europe fall under the authoritarian rule of Nazi Germany. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
As the saying goes, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' This is the best annotation of the Western democratic countries' response to Hitler. What do you think about this?
Western democratic countries mistakenly catered to Germany's expansionist ambitions, allowing Hitler to decide the course of events, while they could only weakly and passively respond. Faced with concessions from Western countries, Hitler was like a typical extortionist, taking every inch and pressing hard step by step. Other European countries are watching from the sidelines with increasing anxiety. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
All countries are preparing for war. Although everyone fears war, they all realize that war is inevitable.
Chapter 8: Hell on Earth
We seem to be witnessing the abrupt end of human evolution and the complete collapse of humans as rational beings.
Taken from Haida Maglius Kowali
Prague under the Cold Star: 1941-1968 (1986)
For millions of Europeans, World War II was even closer to hell on earth than World War I.Just looking at the death toll is enough to make one shudder - in Europe alone, it exceeded 40 million, more than four times that of World War I. Such a huge death toll exceeds human imagination. More than 25 million people died in the Soviet Union alone. About 7 million people died in Germany and 6 million in Poland. These dry numbers cannot express the extreme pain suffered by those people and the heart wrenching sadness of countless families losing loved ones. The actual geographical distribution of such huge casualties cannot be seen from these numbers. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
The losses in Western Europe are relatively light. The death toll in Britain and France is much lower than that of World War I. The total number of casualties of the Allied forces in World War II was over 14 million, with Britain (and its overseas territories) accounting for about 5.5%, France (and its colonies) accounting for about 3%, and the Soviet Union accounting for as much as 70%. If the war against Japan is not included, the proportion of the Soviet Union is even higher. The death toll of British civilians is less than 70000, mainly caused by air strikes. Have you tried this before? Share your story!In the heartland of the killings, namely Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic States, and western Soviet Union, the number of civilian deaths reached around 10 million. Don't forget to share your experience!
Unlike the First World War,The number of civilian deaths caused by World War II greatly exceeded the number of deaths of combat troopsIt has dragged the entire society down, far more than 'World War I' in this regard. One important reason for so many civilian deaths is the genocide nature of World War II. What do you think about this?Genocide is the central characteristic of World War IIIt is also different from the Great War of 1914-1918. The Second World War led to an unprecedented loss of humanity in history, a decline towards an unprecedented abyss, and the destruction of all the civilized ideals cultivated by the Enlightenment movement. It is a catastrophe, the final battle of Europe's apocalypse. What do you think about this?
The second war fought within a generation continued the unfinished business of the first war. The previous war not only caused millions of people to lose their loved ones, but also left behind a shaken continent. What do you think about this?The huge hatred between countries, ethnic groups, and classes is intertwined, giving rise to extreme political violence and a polarized political climate Have you tried this before? Share your story!The Hitler regime emerged in such a climate and became a major threat to European peace. The First World War was particularly unresolved for Germany. However, Germany's attempt to seize control over Europe and even the world through another war is nothing short of a high stakes gamble. Due to Germany's limited resources, the chances of winning this bold gamble are very slim. Other countries are also rapidly expanding their armies, and they will do their utmost to prevent Germany from establishing hegemony. Once their resources are mobilized, they will be much more abundant than Germany's. The opportunity for Germany to achieve victory before the enemy could stop it was fleeting. Don't forget to share your experience!
For Hitler himself and other members of the Nazi leadership, there was a strong underlying psychological motivation for war. They want to negate the achievements of World War I through war, wash away the shame that defeat and the Versailles Peace would bring to Germany, and eradicate the legacy of the "November criminals" (referring to the left-wing leaders whom Hitler believed caused the 1918 revolution). It is particularly important, as Hitler predicted in a speech in January 1939, to eliminate the "evil forces" of Jews throughout Europe through war. In short, the new war will rewrite history. Don't forget to share your experience!
The weaknesses of the two Western democratic countries, Britain and France, were exposed in their dealings with Hitler. In order to maintain peace, they would rather accept Germany's expansion of power in Central Europe, even enduring Germany's dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. This itself is equivalent to acknowledging a significant change in the balance of power in Europe. However, Germany's unrestricted conquest of cities and territories is a different matter, as it will not only disrupt the balance of power in Europe and cause instability in the overseas territories of Britain and France, but also directly endanger France and even the British mainland. It can be imagined that Europe under Hitler and his cruel regime is a hundred times worse than Europe under the rule of the German Emperor. Have you tried this before? Share your story!Therefore, I've found that it's urgent for the British and French to resist the expansion of German power. Almost no one in Britain or France wants to go to war Have you tried this before? Share your story!The pain of World War I has not yet healed, their armies are not prepared for a major battle, and their economies are just beginning to recover from the economic depression, unable to afford another war, What do you think about this?The City of London and major corporations from the UK and France are unlikely to want to see a repeat of the economic turbulence caused by World War I Don't forget to share your experience!The people who still vividly remember the scene of blood flowing into rivers in the previous war certainly do not want the war to break out again. But the situation is clear, the battle must be fought. The national interest and the cause of justice are perfectly integrated. If there is such a thing as a just war, it must be this war. If Europe wants peace, it must defeat Hitler. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
If the First World War is compared to a far-reaching disaster, the Second World War is the pinnacle of the disaster. World War II caused the complete collapse of European civilization, marking the ultimate conflict of various ideological, political, economic, and military forces that took shape during World War I and led to instability and tension in Europe over the next 20 years, becoming a decisive event in reshaping 20th century history. The Second World War ended the legacy of the First World War in Europe. Europe almost destroyed itself in World War II. It ultimately survived, but became vastly different from before. Don't forget to share your experience!
Chapter 9: Dark Night Gradient
History resists the end, just as nature cannot tolerate a vacuum; The story of our era is a long sentence, where each period is the embryo of a comma. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Taken from Mark Slauka's book "At the critical moment: Reflection and Refutation" (2010)
For a full 30 years, Europe seemed determined to self destruct. During that period, it was so tragic and such a huge rupture occurred that it was unimaginable that the long-term social and economic value system and cultural development trend could be sustained. However, beneath the surface of the dark ages in Europe, people's lives are quietly undergoing changes, and although there are painful traumas in the process, they have been ongoing. Don't forget to share your experience!
In addition to long-term, non personal determinants such as social and economic changes, there are also values and beliefs that dominate life, and in this field, the Christian church remains a decisive force. Despite this, many of the most important political and social ideologies of the time were not influenced by the church, and were even completely opposite to its beliefs. How do the intellectual elites in Europe react to what they see as a crisis of civilization? In addition to work, contemplation, and (sometimes) prayer, there is a fourth domain, which is leisure and rapidly changing mass entertainment. What do you think about this?
Each of the four areas of economic and social change, the role of the Christian church, the response of intellectuals, and the "cultural industry" has shown both continuity and evolution, leaving a profound imprint on the post-war world. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Chapter 10: Shaking Ash Nirvana
There are plagues and victims on this earth - we must try our best to refuse to associate with plagues.
Albert Camus pestis (1947)
In 1945, Europe was shrouded in the shadow of death and destruction. This is a cemetery, this is a place of death "is the impression of Warsaw by Polish writer Janina Broniewska. She immediately returned to Warsaw after gaining liberation in Poland, but Warsaw was unrecognizable and turned into rubble. When Alfred Deblin, the famous German writer who published "Berlin Alexanderplatz" in 1929, returned to Germany after 12 years of forced exile, he was shocked to see that some towns were "left with only names". Have you tried this before? Share your story!
The railway network, canals, bridges, and highways in Europe were either bombed or destroyed by retreating armies.Many places lack gas, electricity, or water supply. Food and medicine were severely lacking, and as winter approached in 1945, there was also a severe shortage of fuel for heating. Agricultural production is only half of what it was before the war. Malnutrition is rampant, and heartbreaking hunger and diseases caused by hunger can be seen everywhere. Housing is generally insufficient, and people who have a place to live often have to live with others - often strangers. What do you think about this?The enormous destruction caused by war has turned homelessness into a catastrophic problemIn the western part of the Soviet Union, which was ravaged and destroyed by German occupiers, 25 million people were left without shelter. About 40% of Germany's housing was destroyed in the war, totaling 10 million. At the end of the war, over 50 million people were homeless and struggling to survive in the ruins of towns, in urgent need of food and housing. Don't forget to share your experience!
There are still millions of people in another form of homelessness, including "displaced persons," slave laborers during war, refugees, and prisoners of war. The Red Cross tirelessly organizes rescue work. Don't forget to share your experience!The United States established the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in 1943UNRRA, also known as the United Nations General Assembly, was established two years before the founding of the United Nations. It is headquartered in Washington D.C. and has over 40 member countries. The humanitarian workers dispatched by it have made every effort to provide tremendous assistance to 6.5 million displaced persons and have tried their best to help them return home. Many displaced individuals have suffered severe psychological trauma due to their past experiences. Most of them eventually returned to their families, but it was often a difficult situation and not always a happy encounter. Some couples haven't seen each other for many years and are like passersby. As expected, the divorce rate has sharply increased. Don't forget to share your experience!
Many people can never go back. They bid farewell to the world in places far away from their hometowns, some died in camps inhabited by displaced persons, and some died in captivity (the harsh conditions of Soviet prisoner of war camps resulted in the deaths of over one million prisoners of war). Some people don't want to go home; It is reasonable for Russians and Ukrainians to be afraid of what they may encounter upon returning home. According to the agreement reached between the Western Allies and Stalin towards the end of the war, a total of 2 million people, including tens of thousands of Cossacks fighting on the Axis side, were "repatriated" back to the Soviet Union. Even if they are not executed immediately, they are usually sent to labor camps or distant places of exile for many years. Most Jews are homeless, their relatives in their hometown have been killed, and their communities have been destroyed. Some people have to flee to other countries to live, sometimes even creating fake identities. Some of these people are political refugees, while others are criminals who have committed war crimes. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
The actual scale of destruction suffered by Europe far exceeded that of 1918. The death toll is at least four times higher than the number of soldiers killed in World War I. However, World War I left a legacy of long-term political and economic turmoil, sowing the seeds of renewed conflict. On the contrary, although World War II caused more harm than World War I, it ushered in an unexpected period of stability after the war, and the western half of the mainland did indeed experience unprecedented prosperity. How was this achieved? Have you tried this before? Share your story!
This situation was absolutely unimaginable in the ruins of 1945. At that time, it was also impossible to foresee the tremendous changes that Europe would undergo in a short period of time. In fact, the years immediately after the war showed no signs of later change, but were filled with political instability, economic chaos, social suffering, and more heinous atrocities. It was not until 1949 that the contours of the New Europe truly took shape, no longer a politically, ideologically, and economically fragmented Europe. Have you tried this before? Share your story!