How accurate is the depiction of WW1 as a barfight?

by Chinkie_Winkie

The usual analogy describing the First World War is to compare it to a barfight; one little guy has a crack at the big guy next to him, so his mate hits back, and so forth. Is this a useful way of looking at it, or is it misleading?

TheWellSpokenMan

As an extraordinarily general overview, it’s okay. It obviously misses the very nuanced diplomatic relationships that existed between the various nations, the existing animosities and treaty obligations. I always took particular issue with the part that talks about Gallipoli and how Turkey didn’t hold a grudge against Australia and New Zealand because Great Britain made them try and invade. This suggests that neither Australia or New Zealand has a say in their military contributions which is absolutely incorrect. Whilst the British declaration of war also meant Australia and New Zealand automatically declared war as well, the scale of their military contribution was entirely up to the dominions. This is why New Zealand never fielded more then a division during the war despite Britain’s desire that they contribute more men. New Zealand stayed committed to a limited contribution that ensured they would be able to reinforce their existing contribution. Australia on the other hand resisted British urging to introduce conscription (though not for the Australian government’s lack of trying). My point is that the British dominions had the mechanisms to resist the desires of Great Britain so to say that Great Britain made Australia and New Zealand attack the Ottomans at Gallipoli is incorrect.

I do like the part about Russia getting knocked through a glass window and getting up with a different personality and promptly leaving the fight. Always gives me a chuckle.