In modern times, the western world has been plagued with war. However, as some people might see it as an atrocity, others might think quite the opposite; that war is heroic, noble, and even necessary. The 1st world war (1914-18) was the first global warfare in which many different views of the event were clearly expressed by people who had their own opinions and experiences about the subject. In the following paragraphs, the views in pre and post-war writings will be compared and contrasted to finally show that there is indeed a difference between the two.
Feelings of patriotism and pride were omnipresent before the war eventually broke out in October of 1914. To support the war was to be, as Henry Massis said, part of a noble cause that exceeded one's own benefit. It was a sacrifice to your country, surely one of the biggest human virtues possible. What could be better than to become a martyr for a just cause? Some even called it a necessary cause.
Українська: Еріх Марія Рема...
Remarque in Davos, 1929.
Abduction of EuropeGerman general Von Bernhardi truly believed that war was absolutely vital to human survival. He claimed that the end of war would be an:" unhealthy development [...], which excludes every advancement of the race, and therefore all real civilization." Struggle is a part of nature, and only the fittest will, as they rightfully should, survive. War is only acknowledging what he calls human nature. General Von Treitshke, on his part, offered an aesthetic view of war. War was beautiful, and so is letting go of any personal needs to cater to the bigger, more important state of one's country. Someone who did not understand this, in his opinion, obviously failed to understand the superiority and braveness of the Aryan race. He argues that the dream of an everlasting peace is complete...