European Nations Clash over World War One Centennial

With 2014’s World War One centennial getting closer, European nations are clashing over how best to remember the war.

According to the LA Times, Britain and France want to focus on their victory in the war, while others are concerned Germany will feel slighted by that approach. 

A spokesman from the German Embassy in London said, “Our look is at reconciliation, to have as many former enemies together as possible and to show that we have learned from our mistakes.”

Others within the European community also do not want to focus on victory or loss, but on “the madness of war” in general. They want the 100th anniversary of WWI to be spent focusing on “peace.” 

Stop the War’s Chris Nineham said, “Any remembrance of World War I that is run in a sane or humane way has to be about warning against any repetition.”

WWI was set in motion by the assassination of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand on June 28, 1914. Germany quickly went to war in an alliance with Austria-Hungary, while Britain, France, and Russia joined forces against them. 

The war raged until November 11, 1918, with a death toll of well over eight million for both sides combined. 

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.