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Germany, which has lately united 80 million Germans, has submitted certain neighboring countries to her supremacy and gained military strength in many aspects, and thus has become, as clearly can be seen, a dangerous rival to principal imperialistic powers in Europe - England and France. That is why they declared war on Germany on a pretext of fulfilling the obligations given to Poland. It is now clearer than ever, how remote the real aims of the cabinets in these countries were from the interests of defending the now disintegrated Poland or Czechoslovakia.

Vyacheslav Molotov#9

GeopoliticsHistoryPoliticsWarPowerRivalry

About this quote

What does it mean?
Germany's rise threatened Europe, leading to war over Poland.
In plain terms
Germany became a rival causing war under different pretexts.
What can you take from it?
Geopolitical rivalry drives war pretexts.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • historical study
  • diplomacy

Putting it to work

  • analyze motives
  • track power shifts
  • seek transparency

Questions to consider

  • What really starts wars?
  • How to see through political pretexts?

Another view

Simplifying war causes ignores deeper complexities.

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  3. The old world must make way for the new.

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