Plenty of similarities between state of the world in 2022 and 1914
Dear editor,
I am writing this piece to draw attention to the similarities between what we have in the world now as compared to what was happening in the world just prior to the First World War breaking out. I would also like to point out that times change but unfortunately, people, for the most part do not.
These comparisons are not absolute as there are differences, but enough similarities to at least draw comparisons
Pandemics — At both times there has been a pandemic involved during the war. It was near the end then whereas now it may be near the beginning
Inflation was a factor both then and now — During the Great War inflation was caused by supply side shortages because supplies were diverted from the local economies to the war effort, whereas now the supply side shortages are a result of pandemic-induced shutdowns. Both times, but for different reasons, supply could not meet demand.
Invasions — Bosnia-Herzegovina being annexed by Austria-Hungary is similar to Russia annexing Crimea and unrest in the Donbas Region of Ukraine. An assassination of a political figure precipitated the start of the war. No such thing has occurred in Ukraine or Russia as of now.
Neutrality of the United States at the start of the conflict then, as now, although war was declared by Germany on Russia and France very early and now only Russia has declared war on Ukraine, although threats have been issued to other nations.
Wealth gap — Before the war, the United Kingdom, Germany as well as France were experiencing wealth gaps not seen before, which is similar to what we are seeing in developed countries, including our own and our neighbours to the south, and this includes Russia as well.
It is certainly not my intention to frighten anyone of anything but simply to provide some food for thought and point out what might or even may happen if we and the rest of the world does not get our act together and figure out a resolution to our problems because they are not going to go away by themselves. This article is simply to show what did happen when situations, although not exact but certainly similar, are allowed to take place and are not addressed.
David W. Railton