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World War I and
the R ian Revolution
WHEN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY BEGAN, Europe hadn't had a ma r war s ce the FrancPru ian War in 1870. But prospects for con uing ace didn't l k especially b ght We will examine the situa­ tion each Euro an country in the years just prior to World War I to e how this bl y and fateful conflict came a ut
W e Europe
gl was still do ted by the wealthy land wning cla , which was pros rous and optimistic with a n of indestructibility. On June 22, 1897 Queen Victoria celeb ted the Diamond Jubilee ( th anniver ry) of her corno ation; she was a sym l of the British Empire, which stretched all around the world But change was comin thou no one suspected it at the time.
On January 24, 1 1, Victoria died, succeeded by her n, Ed­ ward Then in 1 the Li ral Party came to wer, under David Lloyd George, a Welshman. At last there was a reaction against lai z faire as workmen's com n tion, old-age nsions, and eight-hour days for miners were enacted into law. The Hou of Lords lost its veto wer and a new tax bill was p In 1910 Edward died, to succeeded by George V. Royalty from all over Eu attended the funeral An onl ker could r nably conclude that the system of monarchy throu out Euro was permanent and unchangeable. He could not imagine that within ten yea three em rors would overthrown forever.