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War on the cards

It is not entirely accurate to say that World War I was ‘unwanted and unexpected’ (Ian Badger, Letters, Jan 17).

Unwanted by all but a few who saw power gain for themselves, but a renewal of hostilities had been on the cards since the Franco-Prussian War of 1871.

This was because of the changing balance of power in Europe, especially with the amalgamation of the German states into Greater Germany, with ambitions re Austria and the ethnic German areas, together with the excuse of requiring ‘lebensraum’ (‘living space’).

The assassinations of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were the catalyst which initiated a series of political alliances and brought the tragic result of the major conflict.

Happen again?

Watch this space! Vic Smith, Halswell

Opinion | Letters

en-nz

2022-01-18T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-18T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281921661413946

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