It is war! Three simple words that have struck terror into the hearts of human beings since the beginning of time. Well, almost. In August 1914, Europeans were giddy at the prospect of war. There was great celebration as leaders prepared to send their young men to face the “enemy” on the battlefield. Historians refer to this euphoria as the “August madness of 1914.” By the war’s end, 20 million casualties littered the fields, graveyards, and villages across Europe. It was a war of attrition fought in wet mud and blood. Advances in science and technology were weaponized, wreaking havoc on the lives of millions. This war ultimately led to another catastrophic cataclysm—World War II, which claimed over 40 million casualties. Today, many are rightfully asking if we are on the brink of even greater catastrophe—World War III.
World War I still reverberates in my family history to this day. The island of Newfoundland may have been a long way from the theaters of war in Europe, yet it was scarred beyond measure. The August madness swept our island as young men quickly signed up for the adventure in Europe. They believed they would be home by Christmas. It was a ruse—a horrible sham that destroyed countless lives.
My maternal grandfather, a boy of 17, lied about his age and signed up as number 97 of the famed “Blue Puttees,” who would see battles in Gallipoli alongside the Australians and later with the New Zealanders at Beaumont-Hamel during the opening Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. Within 30 minutes of being ordered “over the top” from their trench, my grandfather’s regiment was wiped out in a hail of machine gun fire. Some 800 young Newfoundland men were lost. The island grieved so deeply that every July 1 since has been marked with a military parade known as Memorial Day.
Though wounded, my grandfather was sent to London for healing and later returned to the European slaughterhouse. Eventually, he was sent back home on leave and never returned after three years on the front. His battles continued throughout his life, as the PTSD resulted in severe alcoholism, creating family stress that lingers to this day.
World War II
My grandmother told me stories about her experiences during WWII. Nanny spoke in a soft, contemplative tone as she recounted the night a German U-Boat sunk two ships in Conception Bay. “The entire hill lit up with flashes as if it were lightning,” she recalled. “The thunder of the explosions was worse than lightning.”
She explained how they had to cover their windows with blinds to block any light from shining through so that German planes could not spot the houses below. My grandparents used kerosene oil lamps, as they did not have electricity.
One day, Nanny observed “the sky was black with bombers” overhead, heading from the mainland to the war in Europe. These were serious times for my grandparents. Thankfully, no one from the family died in the war, but acquaintances lost their sons. Soldiers became commonplace as the Americans set up five military bases on the island. Everything changed for peaceful Newfoundland as its people, who had previously focused on eking out a living from the sea, faced an economic boom fueled by the war’s demands, albeit at a terrible cost to the broader world.
What Have We Learned?
The horse cavalry of WWI quickly gave way to armored tanks, while hot air balloons were replaced by flying biplanes. Killing became more systematized. The Spitfire fighter planes of WWII evolved into the most advanced Gloster Meteor F.4. Germany’s V-2 rockets paved the way for the atomic bomb. Human self-destruction became increasingly assured.
When WWII ended, there was a mass movement toward establishing a more humane existence on the planet. The atrocities of Nazi Germany underscored the resolve that such horrors must never happen again. Yet, here we find ourselves, once more on the brink.
The weaponry developed through science has continued its evolution. From robotic soldiers and unmanned aircraft to laser weapons that can obliterate us in an instant and nuclear bombs far more destructive than those used in previous wars, we stand on a precarious precipice.
Albert Einstein purportedly said, “I don’t know what weapons will be used in the Third World War. But I can tell you what will be used in the Fourth—rocks!” At this rate, if we are to survive, we risk being blasted back to the Stone Age.
NATO is Calling for War Preparation
Despite our best efforts to combat “hate” and establish human rights regimes through Human Rights Commissions, Tribunals, and a slew of legislative measures, we appear to be heading towards another war.
In recent months, NATO has called on its member nations to prepare for what many consider to be an inevitable conflict with Russia. Canada is expected to assist in developing mass industrialization for the war effort if called upon; however, Canada currently lacks a national security strategy.
The prevailing thought is that conventional warfare will be the starting point, as nuclear conflict would be too devastating to contemplate. Yet, those paying attention have heard Vladimir Putin make it clear over the past months that his nuclear arsenal remains a viable option.
Vincent Rigby, a former security adviser to the Canadian government, stated, “The next big war will be a series of regional conflicts that Canada will be drawn into as a Western ally. We’d better have our plans in place, including for mobilizing industry.”
Professor Steve Saideman, the Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University, noted, “For the past 30-plus years, we’ve been quite happy not to think about such things. It’s been hard to get the government to focus on long-term objectives or dynamics like this.”
The Challenges to First Freedoms in Times of War
Freedom of Speech: In times of war, governments often expand their powers to control information, leading to censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech. Propaganda becomes rampant, and dissenting viewpoints are often suppressed in the name of national security. Winston Churchill famously noted that “truth is the first casualty of war,” highlighting the importance of guarding it, even with a “bodyguard of lies.”
Freedom of Religion: Warfare can exacerbate existing tensions among different religious groups. In some scenarios, religious freedoms may be curtailed, especially for groups perceived as being aligned with the enemy. Religious persecution is likely to increase, depending on the geopolitical landscape. Even in Canada during the world wars, minority religious communities faced significant challenges. The Mennonites and Seventh-day Adventists, for example, who refused to bear arms, were placed in work camps across the country during WWII.
Inviolability of the Person: The concept of personal inviolability, which includes protections against torture and arbitrary detention, can be jeopardized in wartime. Human rights abuses may escalate, including extrajudicial killings, detention without trial, and other forms of violence against civilians.
I will be the first to say that I do not engage in “fear porn.” I have no interest in frightening people merely to elicit a reaction. However, I believe it is now essential to consider the question, “What if…?”
Preparation
Are we prepared for what increasingly looks inevitable? It is a natural instinct to check the weather forecast in anticipation of an approaching hurricane, allowing us to ready ourselves for the storm. Likewise, there is much that can be done—food, shelter, etc.—to prepare for the challenges that may come.
We are in solemn times that require serious reflection. This is an opportunity for us to evaluate what is truly important in life. Our first freedoms presuppose a deep reflective understanding of what it means to be human and why it is so crucial that these freedoms endure—even amidst the direst human circumstances, such as war.
What can we do to brace ourselves for the increasingly realistic possibility of another world war? This is a question I encourage you to contemplate in the coming weeks. I will share my thoughts in future articles and videos.
