Essay Questions

Why are European rulers greedy for power at the expense of their citizens?

Throughout the book, the reader can easily recognize that Russian and German rulers are hungry for power because they want to extend their territories. These rulers are not worried about how many people are going to die as long as they achieve their ultimate goal of acquiring more territories. They are also pressuring the neighboring nations to join in the battles. One of the notable leaders greedy for power is Wilhelm. He is doing everything within his powers for selfish gains. He is looking forward to taking over the British throne and he is ready to sacrifice his people to achieve his desires.

According to Barbara Tuchman, what is the main cause of World War I?

World War One is prompted in the year 2014 after the inheritor, Franz Ferdinand of the Hungary throne is killed by Princip. Princip does this intentionally to incite the western and European militaries to engage in war to stop the status quo of Serbia. This enmity provokes the leader of the throne to initiate war. The European nations such as Germany, Russia, Britain, and France start to organize their armies for any eventuality. However, the political class and rulers have been keen on entering World War I to expand their territories and this was the opportunity they had been waiting for.

Why did the author decide to start the narration with King Edward’s funeral?

King Edward's funeral is both informative and symbolic to the reader. The symbolic meaning of King Edward's funeral is that death is unpreventable and no one is above it. The nine kings present are humbled because they are scared of who will be the next victim of death among them. There is the realization that even the most powerful will die when their time is due. Therefore, even the greediness of the European rulers to acquire more territories will not prevent them from dying. The reader also learns that in whatever one does, it is good to value humanity.