In the beginning of August 1914, people
rejoiced in the streets.
In Germany, Austria, England and
France, patriotic euphoria erupted.
At last, there would be war. Hooray! Hooray!
People longed for purification, in a noble fight for their fatherland.
They longed for a meaning to their
meaningless lives,
Thomas Mann, Ludwig Wittgenstein, The
Red Cross and the Churches,
all the cheering little women...
“I didn't like you much before you
joined the army, John.
But I do like you, cocky, now you've
got your khaki on.”
The enthusiasm didn't last long.
The front turned out to be hell.
The front turned out to be hell.
Ten million men allowed themselves to
be slaughtered.
Twenty million were seriously injured.
In March 1917, the Russians had had
enough.
They refused to obey orders. Many went
home.
Mutinies broke out, also in France.
In October 1918, even the Germans had
had it.
Sailors and soldiers rebelled and
Kaiser Wilhelm was dethroned.
The party was over.
The party was over.
