Connection Across Time

World War I seems to have started over rivaling alliances, with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand as the catalyst to actually start the fighting. Why were these countries hostile in the first place? Greed. The alliance consisted of empires that wanted more land. Since this war, there have been no empires. Yet, there are still countries that want to expand their borders today. These wars are few, but fierce. Now I can see how one might argue that the effects of World War I are still felt almost a century after the war. I doubt I'll live to see the day that these territorial conflicts are resolved, but once people of each ethnicity have their own land and own government, how long will it take for the next major conflict, or series of conflicts, and what will be the cause?



I know I probably have a somewhat warped view of the world due to my exposure to American media and my lack of traveling, but it seems that most conflicts around the world are civil wars of countries that are significantly underdeveloped compared to countries like our own. This is most likely a result of imperialism, which stripped countries of their resources and governments. One of the best examples of such a country that I can think of right now is Afghanistan, which was torn apart after Russia invaded. Hopefully, it is possible for these countries to eventually develop a strong, stable government since the United Nations is designed to keep countries from invading each other and causing a similar situation all over again. One would expect this to help domestic tranquility within each country. However, is this not what China is trying to do right now, gain stability and power in the world, and don't we hate them for this? Of course, we also disapprove of their dictatorial form of rule. Maybe the lingering effects of WWI are still felt because of nationalism, in addition to the damaged countries that were once colonies. It would be nice if countries were able to start feeling more unified as members of the United Nations.