We don't absolutely know for sure, of course, but it's likely Germany would have attempted to neuter the French and British navies to establish supremacy on the seas and eliminate future dangers.
Had Germany won the war, the facts of today's article would have been different but the lesson, theoretically, could have been the same. There's no way to know for sure.
What we do know, what is accepted by almost every historian, is that the harsh reparations imposed on Germany at the end of the war are directly responsible for the conditions that allowed Hitler and his Nazi party to rise to power.
In this regard, our lesson remains the same. A more forgiving peace might have allowed future generations to find compromises that were out of reach for the generation that embraced Hitler and the Nazi nationalism that promised them a restoration of pride and prosperity.
Had Germany won WWI it's likely we would be discussing France or Britain's slide into totalitarianism. It's very possible Germany and it's allies would have imposed punitive reparations and sanctions on them as well leaving them ripe for a nationalistic leader with promises of restoration.
Every historical event has numerous "what ifs" that could consume our time and energy. As I've mentioned before in other comments, history is complicated because it involves people, all of whom have many and assorted motivations.
There's always more than one side to a story. What I attempt to do here is relay the facts of an event as best we can and share but one lesson that can be learned from that event. There are often numerous lessons that would be just as relatable and just as accurate. The existence of those other lessons doesn't diminished the value of the lesson we discuss.
There are always other lessons to learn. The important thing is that we learn about history and we learn what we can about the choices and decisions made by previous generations. It is only from learning about those choices and mistakes can we hope to avoid those same mistakes in the future.
Thanks for this overlooked event. It reminds me, by contrast, of Elisha in 2 Kings 6. The Arameans trying to subjugate the Israelites realize that the man of God is single-handedly the only real protection Israel has. (He is later called "the chariots and horses of Israel.")
The Aramean army surrounds the town of Dothan where Elisha is. Without help from the Israeli soldiers--or from the invisible chariots of fire, Elisha delivers the invaders as captives to his king.
Surprisingly, Elisha shows himself to be the only real protection Aram has also. Instead of humiliation and death, the enemy is given a feast and safe conduct home.
Sadly, mainly due to actions of starving Germans and then because of, the American Military Industrial Complex and the CIA, the Great War never ended. Was it originally a political war that has become a spiritual war between good and evil?
All I know is that if Taiwan is invaded and I was a sailor, I'd dive off any aircraft carrier and swim to shore.. It's all about human nature and how many are slaves to demons.
Happily, there seems to be a revival of Christianity (at least in my county).
I think in many ways it has always been a spiritual war. In my studies of WWI I have always been left with the impression that it was all so meaningless. It's almost impossible to explain without accepting a dark spiritual presence was at work. That same presence turned the 20th Century into a repetitious blood bath. Now, those same war drums are beating again. It's an almost palpable foreboding presence that can be felt by Christian and non-Christian alike. I think God will answer the prayers of the few righteous and we will narrowly avoid WW3 or He won't and one day others will look back at these current events and also lament how meaningless it all seemed.
I appreciate this essay and meditation, Jason. And I agree that war does not occur except as an outer manifestation of a spiritual war. That spiritual conflict may not just be between "powers and principalities." It may also be in the minds of men who allow the influence of culture to override the way of Christ. We do not make our best decisions when we fail to consider all the strategies and tools that the Holy Spirit makes available to us. Retribution and revenge does not change hearts.
I couldn't agree more. If anything can change a person's point of view it is Ephesians 6:12. Once you understand that everything is a spiritual battle you can begin to discern WHY things happen. It takes far more courage to seek peace than to beat the drums of war. War itself is a victory for the true enemy. That's not to say that war is never necessary, but by acknowledging the reasons (the true reasons) we can better understand what the battle is truly about.
Everyone seems to feel the pressure of the war that is currently being spread beyond Ukraine and Gaza. Wars, it has been said, are simply the times between peace. When a garden is overrun with weeds, it is time to decide. Do we surrender to the weeds or do we kill them?
An excellent lesson on forgiveness!
When Germany defeated Russia and imposed the Brest-Litovsk settlement, how did they treat the Russian navy?
Poorly. A story ripe for another lesson!
What were Germany’s plans for the French and British navies had they won the war?
It feels like you want to make a point. Why not just make it?
I am sincere in my question. I presume that Germany's terms were as harsh as the Allies'.
We don't absolutely know for sure, of course, but it's likely Germany would have attempted to neuter the French and British navies to establish supremacy on the seas and eliminate future dangers.
Had Germany won the war, the facts of today's article would have been different but the lesson, theoretically, could have been the same. There's no way to know for sure.
What we do know, what is accepted by almost every historian, is that the harsh reparations imposed on Germany at the end of the war are directly responsible for the conditions that allowed Hitler and his Nazi party to rise to power.
In this regard, our lesson remains the same. A more forgiving peace might have allowed future generations to find compromises that were out of reach for the generation that embraced Hitler and the Nazi nationalism that promised them a restoration of pride and prosperity.
Had Germany won WWI it's likely we would be discussing France or Britain's slide into totalitarianism. It's very possible Germany and it's allies would have imposed punitive reparations and sanctions on them as well leaving them ripe for a nationalistic leader with promises of restoration.
Every historical event has numerous "what ifs" that could consume our time and energy. As I've mentioned before in other comments, history is complicated because it involves people, all of whom have many and assorted motivations.
There's always more than one side to a story. What I attempt to do here is relay the facts of an event as best we can and share but one lesson that can be learned from that event. There are often numerous lessons that would be just as relatable and just as accurate. The existence of those other lessons doesn't diminished the value of the lesson we discuss.
There are always other lessons to learn. The important thing is that we learn about history and we learn what we can about the choices and decisions made by previous generations. It is only from learning about those choices and mistakes can we hope to avoid those same mistakes in the future.
If Germany had won: no Stalin, no Hitler, no Holocaust, no WW2. Maybe.
Thanks for this overlooked event. It reminds me, by contrast, of Elisha in 2 Kings 6. The Arameans trying to subjugate the Israelites realize that the man of God is single-handedly the only real protection Israel has. (He is later called "the chariots and horses of Israel.")
The Aramean army surrounds the town of Dothan where Elisha is. Without help from the Israeli soldiers--or from the invisible chariots of fire, Elisha delivers the invaders as captives to his king.
Surprisingly, Elisha shows himself to be the only real protection Aram has also. Instead of humiliation and death, the enemy is given a feast and safe conduct home.
An overlooked Biblical story that is a great example of today's lesson. I wish I had thought of it! Thanks for sharing.
Sadly, mainly due to actions of starving Germans and then because of, the American Military Industrial Complex and the CIA, the Great War never ended. Was it originally a political war that has become a spiritual war between good and evil?
All I know is that if Taiwan is invaded and I was a sailor, I'd dive off any aircraft carrier and swim to shore.. It's all about human nature and how many are slaves to demons.
Happily, there seems to be a revival of Christianity (at least in my county).
I think in many ways it has always been a spiritual war. In my studies of WWI I have always been left with the impression that it was all so meaningless. It's almost impossible to explain without accepting a dark spiritual presence was at work. That same presence turned the 20th Century into a repetitious blood bath. Now, those same war drums are beating again. It's an almost palpable foreboding presence that can be felt by Christian and non-Christian alike. I think God will answer the prayers of the few righteous and we will narrowly avoid WW3 or He won't and one day others will look back at these current events and also lament how meaningless it all seemed.
I appreciate this essay and meditation, Jason. And I agree that war does not occur except as an outer manifestation of a spiritual war. That spiritual conflict may not just be between "powers and principalities." It may also be in the minds of men who allow the influence of culture to override the way of Christ. We do not make our best decisions when we fail to consider all the strategies and tools that the Holy Spirit makes available to us. Retribution and revenge does not change hearts.
I couldn't agree more. If anything can change a person's point of view it is Ephesians 6:12. Once you understand that everything is a spiritual battle you can begin to discern WHY things happen. It takes far more courage to seek peace than to beat the drums of war. War itself is a victory for the true enemy. That's not to say that war is never necessary, but by acknowledging the reasons (the true reasons) we can better understand what the battle is truly about.
Everyone seems to feel the pressure of the war that is currently being spread beyond Ukraine and Gaza. Wars, it has been said, are simply the times between peace. When a garden is overrun with weeds, it is time to decide. Do we surrender to the weeds or do we kill them?
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?