Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Europe 1914

This summer will mark the 100th anniversary of the "Great War." Here are several maps of Europe as it appeared in 1914.

The simple map - BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/europe/02/euro_borders/html/3.stm
More complicated maps showing ethnic groups and some random* provinces.
http://www.teachers.ausd.net/socialsci/ethnicmapeur1914.htm

 An even more complicated map showing more random* provinces - from AltHistory.
BibliOdyssey has a nice collection of satirical maps. This one called "Dogs of War" has a very long winded explanation of how the war started. Some of it is below - the complete text is here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85009674@N00/2722416468/
The Dogs of War are loose in Europe, and a nice noise they are making! It was started by a Dachshund that is thought to have gone made -- though there was so much method in his madness that this is doubtful. [NOTE FOR THE IGNORANT: The German for Dog is Hund. The English for German is Hun. Dachshund means badger-dog -- and he is sometime more badgered than he likes.] Mated with the Dachshund, for better or for worse, was an Austrian Mongrel. By the fine unwritten law of Dogdom big dogs never attack little dogs. There are, however, scallywags in every community, and, egged on by the Dachshund for private ends, the Mongrel started bullying a little Servian. And the fat was in the fire, for the little Servian had a great big friend in the form of a Russian Bear, and he stood up for his pal. And that was what the Dachshund wanted. He hoped that a big row would ensue, and in the confusion he intended to steal a bone or two that he had his eye on for some time. He got what he wanted -- and a little more. For the Russian Bear had friends too. There was a very game little Belgian Griffon, and there was a great big French Poodle, a smart dandified fellow, and there was a Bulldog. Rather a sleepy chap this last one, and the Dachshund despised him because he was not always yapping and snaring. But the Bulldog has a habit of sleeping with one eye open, and, when he is roused, he grips and won't let go.
If none of this makes you understand the point of this "great" war don't worry - few of us do understand it.

* Why some provinces are outlined or labeled and others not is not always clear.

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