Keokuk Co. and the War to end all wars: 100 years since the U.S. joined WWI

100 years is a lifetime ago. In this, third of four installments in our series covering Keokuk Co. and its role in the First World War in honor of our 100th anniversary of the U.S. joining the Great War on April 6 of 1917, we will explore the sacrifices made at home and take a deeper look at the events that led to the war itself, and what Americans at the time thought about the war.

            First, let’s take a quick history lesson for those who are unfamiliar with the origins of WWI if you will bear with me. Europe, or more so, the world was a tinderbox by early 1914. Every European power was expanding their empires, as Britain had colonies in India, Africa and Asia. Germany as well as Belgium, Britain, Austria-Hungry, France and other powers had territories throughout the world. This imperialism led to rapid expansion, this mixed with the industrial revolution created a world on edge. All of the nations aligned themselves with each other in an attempt to one keep peace by overwhelming show of force, and two, protect themselves from their neighboring perceived “enemies”.

            When the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, the Serbs were given an ultimatum that they refused to comply with. Because of this, Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia. Serbia was aligned with Russia, so Russia mobilized troops in preparation for war with Austria-Hungry. In doing this, they caused German to mobilize her troops, as Germany and Austria-Hungry were allies. When Germany and Russia went to war, this brought France into the battle as the French had a mutual assistance agreement with Russia. Germany invaded France through Belgium, which in turn brought Great Britain into the mix, as Britain swore assistance to Belgium. A few small events sparked the world’s deadliest war, as a majority of the world’s super powers set off for what they thought would be a swift conflict that was to be over by the first of 1915.

Complete article in March 22 edition of The News-Review 

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