The First World War began on this day in 1914, a month to the day after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, triggered a series of diplomatic maneuverings among European powers. When Serbia, backed by Russia, which had an alliance with France, refused to accede to Austria-Hungary’s demands, backed by Germany, to suppress its nationalist movement, Austria-Hungary declared war. In the week thereafter most European nations jumped in on one side or another. The Nation’s editorial two days later, “War Madness,” placed the blame mostly on German militarism, but also blamed the “mob psychology” that so many times since, not least in this country, has accompanied and cheered for the escalation of diplomatic disputes into outright wars.
Mob psychology often shows itself in discouraging and alarming forms, but is never so repulsive and appalling as when it is seen in great crowds shouting for war. Lest we forget, indeed! About nothing does the mob forget so quickly as about war….
