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I read an article in today’s newpaper (which you can also see here) about the last few remaining World War I veterans who are still alive. It amazes me that there are still vets around who fought in that war, which seems like ages ago.
In the article from the Washington Post linked to above, it says:
Unlike the wars that followed, World War I doesn't have the visual record so important to becoming part of American consciousness, Flynn says. Yet its impact can be linked to many problems facing the world today, including conflict in the Balkans and the rise of Arab nationalism that occurred after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
So is WWI a forgotten war?
I think that if there is truth to this, it is because a) it's significance was superceded by WWII, b) the atrocities committed during WWI were not as severe as those of WWII, and c) there was no single figurehead from WWI who rose to anywhere near the villainy of Adolf Hitler.I dont think by any means that WWI has been forgotten, Yes maybe not as talked about as other wars just because of the simple fact that for the americans the events that took place were not as severe as other wars such as WWII. Another thing to consider is during this time period there was a different outlook on the whole aspect of war and people were not protesting against the efforts of war like they are today. For the most part i would say the gerenal population was all for defending there homeland much more then they are today, But sometimes it takes things like the World Trade Centers coming down for people to actually take a stand and defend what they believe in. So i think another reason the wars of today and more recent ones seem to stand out more is becuase of the conflicts and beliefs right here in our homeland.
Yes, it’s interesting that history doesn’t really note any protesters or WWI (or even WWII as far as I’m aware), but protests really help to define wars like Vietnam. History will tell whether the current Iraq War will be defined in terms of protest as well.
Fjanusas - it's interesting that I think the quote I cited regarding the Ottoman Empire and "rise of Arab Nationalism" after WWI was what you were talking about in your other post, right?Yes that is correct and in one way or another this can all be tied together in a massive chain of events. It’s amazing what you can learn when you really start looking at how things in history have taken place.
I had an old friend, now deceased, who took part in BlackJack Pershings punitive raid into Mexico with the US Cavalry then was sent to Europe in WW1. He said he fired one shot at a German airplane that was strafing a train he was guarding. Another old hunting buddy , much older than me, was in the mechanized cavalry and was issued the obsolete Krag carbine because of it's short length. He “lost” it and had to pay for it. Amazingly he found it in his duffle bag upon returning home. He gave it to me before his death and it hangs on my wall as I write this.
Wow, that's a pretty neat story. I'm sure that the Krag carbine is quite an artifact now. Please let us know if you have any stories that these friends of yours had told you in the past.
I just watched a History Channel episode about a WW1 German Raider that was sunk in the harbor at Guam. They stated that the first shot fired by an American in WW1 was by a US Marine . He fired a warning shot across the bow of a German supply boat when war was declared.
Actually there were many anti-war protestors during the first World War–fewer in WWII. Many peoplesaw no reason to expend blood and treasure in 1917 in a conflict that was not a threat to the nation andundertaken for reason other than those stated. Conscription came to America and this time the richcould not readily buy their way out with a hired substitute. Conscription meant that you would be forced to serve in the Army or Navy, be willing to kill another human being if so ordered, and jailed if you refused the order eve if you claimed that you were morally disinclined to commit murder. Check it out--much protest for WWI. Socialists claimed it was a rich man's war and we were in it to protect our interests, make sure England did not default on her loans and to glean profits--steel plant profits had been shooting up since 1914 and were seen to go higher as the US government as well as England would now be placingorders. Many believed the Socialist claims--other scoffed.
I think the term "The Forgotten War" is usually used to describe the South African War 1899-1902.
That would probably be more appropriate. I had never heard of that war before. Truly forgotten, I guess.
I think the term "The Forgotten War" is usually used to describe the South African War 1899-1902.
The Boer War? In Europe generally speaking every war except from WWII and WWI is "forgotten". Perhaps you have in USA some more wars (like Vietnam) which are being remembered. The Boer War is just one of hundreds of wars which are forgotten.
