Nadir of War
Nadir of War
• The idea of a quick war had now been pushed out of everyone’s minds. The longevity of the war was having many implications throughout many countries’ internal relations. Shortages had become common for both the soldiers on the front lines, as well as for the civilians back home who suffered raw material shortages such as iron, as it was being redirected towards making more ammunition for the battlefield. Many citizens were growing tired of the war: soldiers were growing resentful towards the officers that were keeping them in battle, and were sympathetic towards the enemy who was also suffering in the trenches. France saw much of this, as public opinion of the war changed: many who were in favor of Joffre, now wanted nothing to do with him as he seemed to be a one hit wonder. These notions were further reinforced by Georges Clemenceau, a French political journalist who felt that France must not only win the war, but at the grave expense of Germany. This all led to some political shuffling around in France, but the internal issues still remained. Over in Great Britain, the British had thought that they would only be involved in naval affairs, and never thought that they would be fighting in the continental war, and while they were off fighting, the Irish saw their opportunity. Ever since King Henry II asserted his sovereignty over Ireland in 1171, the Irish had been fighting for their freedom back. In 1916 and Irish rebellion broke out and on April 20, a group of Irish extremists proclaimed the Irish Republic; fortunately the British were able to assert their dominance again and push the Irish Problem to the backburner. With the Irish in check, the politicians of Britain agreed with France that the war must be fought more intensely.
Further east, Russia was having its own internal political conflicts. Civilians were not happy with Tsar Nicholas II, and the feeling of a lack of Russian influence in the country: many Russian politicians had foreign names, and western experts were brought in to modernize the country. This feeling only increased as the Tsar would appoint people like Sturmer and Trepov into political power who believed that they answer was governmental repression. The county exploded in strikes, riots, army desertions, shortages, and a crumbling communications network. The final straw for the people of Russia, was the belief that the Tsar was under the evil influences of his advisor Rasputin. On December 29, 1916 Rasputin was assassinated, and the Tsar’s popularity continued to dwindle. Austria, who was tired of war, sought peace as her original intention of putting her neighbors back in check was long gone.. Franz Josef drafted a proposal, but died on November 21, 1916, and was replaced by his weak grand-nephew Charles. Charles allowed the Germans and the new Austrian Prime Minister, who was pro-war, dominate the Austrian government, which only pushed peace further away. The Germans may have also wanted peace, but only with a German victory, and the Allies were far from admitting to defeat. While talks of peace were brought about, they were quickly shot down as neither Germany nor the Allied Powers were quite ready, and any terms of peace brought to the table were insulting. German civilians were war-weary and held mass meetings demanding peace, however the politicians thought that all Germany needed was a new directions, so they were ready to play her last card: submarine warfare. The Germans knew that unrestricted submarine warfare would probably bring the United States into the war, as it would break the “Sussex pledge” in which the Germans had agreed to operate her U-boats under the limits of international law, but this was her last option. This “low point” of the war is important because it really shows who is really fighting the wars: the politicians who are not risking their lives and homes are making all the decisions even against the masses wishes of peace. The end of 1916 really showed to corruption in the political powers, and the internal conflicts that were brewing: mass gatherings, regicide, bankruptcy, collapse of empires, and battles with those not involved in the war. It is important to realize that the majority of Europe was tired of war and wanted peace, but there were a stubborn few in power who pushed the war forward.