The Great War, The German Middle Class Perspective.
Looking around your bedroom, you get lost in thought at the decisions you're faced with, and the life that you may have to leave behind. You've called this room home your entire life. The four walls are lined with the memories of a happy childhood. The words echo in your head, as though you are speaking to someone else - as if pouring your troubled thoughts out to some invisible person, in a desperate search for answers...
I'm the son of a proud Prussian family. I was born in 1896 and all that I have ever known were rumors of wars that never came to be. Mother and father still remember the triumphant victory of the Prussian nation, over the French, in 1871... how could they forget, with as much as they bring it up! I suppose they are right to be proud. This was the war which resulted in the unification of the German Empire. It is clear that the war drums that are beating this time are for real. This is no rumor and, surely, the German Empire will be victorious! Still, I have never been far from home. My teachers and parents all say that it is the duty of all able bodied men of the German Empire to stand up and fight to defend the father land - to fight for the Kaiser. Some of my friends insist that it will be an adventure. Everyone is sure that it will be quick. I'm sure I'll be fine, but, I hardly think it will be an adventure. It must be the right thing to do, but, that doesn't mean that I want to do it. Still, we have been preparing for this war for three or four years now... ever since it became clear that every other nation in Europe was determined to prevent German expansion. So, I shouldn't be surprised. I probably should've figured this all out a long time ago, but, how can I make this decision? I'm barely seventeen and it seems that I am faced with making significant life-altering choices, already. I had always imagined that I'd get married soon, and begin my life as an adult right here, in the town where I grew up - not rush off to war. At best, I have three more years before my mandatory service in the military begins. I wonder if there will be any consequences for those who don't volunteer?
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/willingly_to_war_public_response_to_the_outbreak_of_war#Germany
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/willingly_to_war_public_response_to_the_outbreak_of_war#Germany
I'm the son of a proud Prussian family. I was born in 1896 and all that I have ever known were rumors of wars that never came to be. Mother and father still remember the triumphant victory of the Prussian nation, over the French, in 1871... how could they forget, with as much as they bring it up! I suppose they are right to be proud. This was the war which resulted in the unification of the German Empire. It is clear that the war drums that are beating this time are for real. This is no rumor and, surely, the German Empire will be victorious! Still, I have never been far from home. My teachers and parents all say that it is the duty of all able bodied men of the German Empire to stand up and fight to defend the father land - to fight for the Kaiser. Some of my friends insist that it will be an adventure. Everyone is sure that it will be quick. I'm sure I'll be fine, but, I hardly think it will be an adventure. It must be the right thing to do, but, that doesn't mean that I want to do it. Still, we have been preparing for this war for three or four years now... ever since it became clear that every other nation in Europe was determined to prevent German expansion. So, I shouldn't be surprised. I probably should've figured this all out a long time ago, but, how can I make this decision? I'm barely seventeen and it seems that I am faced with making significant life-altering choices, already. I had always imagined that I'd get married soon, and begin my life as an adult right here, in the town where I grew up - not rush off to war. At best, I have three more years before my mandatory service in the military begins. I wonder if there will be any consequences for those who don't volunteer?
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/willingly_to_war_public_response_to_the_outbreak_of_war#Germany
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/willingly_to_war_public_response_to_the_outbreak_of_war#Germany