Am I the only one who finds World War I...

right-track · 12-20-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dankrsta

What I find 'interesting' about WWI (if I can indulge myself in using this term) is the politics of great powers that led to it and the shaping of modern Europe after it. I mean, it started because of the clashing imperialistic interests of great empires which, ironically, led to their crash by the time the war was over.

It was definitely the beginning of the end for the British empire.
The second world war just about broke us. I think we only finished paying off the lend/lease debt to the U.S and Canada in 2006!

Before WW1 Britain was the most powerful nation on earth. By the end of WW2 the U.S. took that dubious honour.

zachsd · 12-20-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

I'd say the opposite applies more, these days.

Yeah, I think I'd agree with you. With the balance of power now favoring the U.S., our relationship with you guys has definitely changed (i.e. we're not you're bitches so much anymore). But at the same time, modern U.S. foreign policy has propagated the notion that we've got the U.K.'s back. The same goes for U.K. policy. Notable events that reinforce this idea include Iraq (obviously), but also the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Falklands, etc. There still very much is a cause and effect thing going on thats a result of our close relationship. It might be somewhat less relevant today, but our relationship is still very much dictating each other's foreign policy to a certain extent.

right-track · 12-20-2010, 05:14 PM

It could be argued successfully that what the UK eat, the U.S. actually has no choice to shit.

Britain's past involvement as a super power is responsible for the mess in Iraq, Iran, Israel (the whole of the middle east actually), Afghanistan and the Balkans.
Not to mention countless other potential tinderboxes around the world.

dankrsta · 12-20-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

It was definitely the beginning of the end for the British empire.
The second world war just about broke us. I think we only finished paying off the lend/lease debt to the U.S and Canada in 2006!

Before WW1 Britain was the most powerful nation on earth. By the end of WW2 the U.S. took that dubious honour.

Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empire also ceased to exist and not to forget that bolshevik revolution killed the Russian Empire. And although the League of Nations was created (if I remember correctly that led to United Nations after the WW II), new tensions were created because of the new gap between East and West Europe with the rise of Soviet Union. Yeah 20th century was truly fucked up. I don't even have to mention fascism.

right-track · 12-20-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dankrsta

Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empire also ceased to exist and not to forget that bolshevik revolution killed the Russian Empire. And although the League of Nations was created (if I remember correctly that led to United Nations after the WW II), new tensions arouse because of the new gap between East and West Europe with the rise of Soviet Union. Yeah 20th century was truly fucked up. I don't even have to mention fascism.

What's your predictions for the 21st century dankrsta?

dankrsta · 12-20-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

What's your predictions for the 21st century dankrsta?

Eh, I don't like to predict things, but I can hope that European Union will turn out to be successful, flexible, and free from the strong US influence.

right-track · 12-20-2010, 05:41 PM

Not if the 'New Rome' has anything to do with it.

bob. · 12-20-2010, 05:47 PM

does the Nova Roma "movement" really have any influence?

dankrsta · 12-20-2010, 05:58 PM

I think he meant that USA is the 'New Rome'. That's how I understood it.

bob. · 12-20-2010, 06:01 PM

duh...

i was gonna say that people who dress up on weekend and practice the roman rituals....although they call themselves a "sovereign state" are not much of a threat

on that...all empires fall and all festivals end...the US will have the same fate

12-20-2010, 05:58 PM	#59 (permalink)
dankrsta ... Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,776	I think he meant that USA is the 'New Rome'. That's how I understood it. __________________ Last.fm

12-20-2010, 05:14 PM	#53 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	It could be argued successfully that what the UK eat, the U.S. actually has no choice to shit. Britain's past involvement as a super power is responsible for the mess in Iraq, Iran, Israel (the whole of the middle east actually), Afghanistan and the Balkans. Not to mention countless other potential tinderboxes around the world.

12-20-2010, 05:41 PM	#57 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Not if the 'New Rome' has anything to do with it.

12-20-2010, 05:47 PM	#58 (permalink)
bob. Still sends his reguards. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trying to get out of the cat town.... Posts: 5,039	does the Nova Roma "movement" really have any influence?

12-20-2010, 06:01 PM	#60 (permalink)
bob. Still sends his reguards. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Trying to get out of the cat town.... Posts: 5,039	duh... i was gonna say that people who dress up on weekend and practice the roman rituals....although they call themselves a "sovereign state" are not much of a threat on that...all empires fall and all festivals end...the US will have the same fate