The Lamps are Going Out All Over Europe; We Shall Not See Them Lit Again in Our Lifetime

On the dawn of August 4, 1914, Sir Edward Grey a European statesman, stood in front of an office window and staring out upon St James Park as lights were being extinguished. He sadly stated how the lamps of the neighboring homes extinguishing as a symbol of the light of Europe and how he will not see it again for the rest of his life. (Terraine, 1965).What did he mean by this? What was happening to Europe, and what was going on in our world?

Was Grey referring to the consequences of Europe’s decision to not come out in the open or publicize the fact about backing France to Germany? Knowing that if they had Germany might have sought out more of a compromise then going to war. (Duffy, 2001) How about the amount of European lives that will be lost during this massive conflict? Such an extreme amount of casualties; that the affects not only lessen the European population but weaken the great countries workforce and the world’s economy. (Hopkins, 2003)All of France, America and Europe were put into an immense amount of debt, and Germany was sentenced with an “I owe you” that later would only bring on the next World War. Paired with Germany’s butchered pride and poor economy, war felt like the only best option, especially when the German people’s loss and vulnerabilities were being exploited to motivate an up rise, by Adolf Hitler.

Sir Edward Grey passed away in September 7, 1933, he was right the darkness far surpassed his lifetime. It wasn’t until the end of World War II did Europe’s light (as well as the rest of the world) slowly started to shine, but it came with a price. The cost of innocent lives and bloodshed, the almost extinction of whole cultures, the Jewish and Gypsy people, could have all this been avoided?  Could Europe, France and America have come thus far, if they had used different tactics in their foreign policies? Was the carnage and massacres of human life the sacrifice our governments were willing to take? Or was this just a very costly mistake, which we must learn from and never repeat?

In summary, Sir Edward Grey had foreseen the coming of a very dark era that would end decades after his death. He was aware of the consequences of Europe’s foreign policy and knew nothing good would come of it. Hopefully our world history can be studied and learn from to prevent us from repeating some of the horrors from our past.

References

1.      Duffy, M. (2001, August 11). Who’s Who: Sir Edward Grey. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from FirstWorldWar.com Web site: http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/grey.htm

2.      Hopkins, M. (2003). World War I and its Relationship to World War II. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from Hellium.com Web site: http://www.helium.com/items/840277-reflections-world-war-i-and-its-relationship-to-world-war-ii

3.      Terraine, J. (1965). The Great War 1914–1918: A pictorial history. New York: The Macmillan Company.