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1 " There was nothing wrong with the conclusion . . . that Germany and continental Europe west of Russia would only be able to hold their own . . . if Europe pulled together. And a united Europe would fall almost automatically under the leadership of the strongest power – Germany . . . [But] German leadership over a united Europe in order to brave the coming giant economic and political power blocs would have to overcome the imagined reluctance [sic] of Europeans to domination by any one of their peers. Germany would have to persuade Europe to accept German leadership . . . to make crystal clear that the overall interest of Europe would coincide with the enlightened self-interest of Germany . . . in order to achieve in the years after 1900 something like the position of the Federal Republic today.91 "
― Niall Ferguson , The Pity of War: Explaining World War I
2 " In all countries there was a torrent of what Paul Fussell has called ‘high diction’: a friend became a ‘comrade’, a horse became a ‘steed’, the enemy became the ‘foe’. "
3 " tears’ after he told her simply: ‘It’s all up.’26 Churchill was the exception. He told Violet Asquith on 22 February 1915: I think a curse should rest on me – because I love this war. I know it’s smashing & shattering the lives of thousands every moment – & yet – I can’t help it – I enjoy every second "
4 " The popular view was that (as in the 1790s) the blood tax – l’impôt du sang – should be borne by all, "
5 " Beer production was reduced in all the European combatants, but the reduction was more severe among the Central Powers: a fall of two-thirds for Germany, compared with just over half for Britain. "
