40 Maps That Explain World War I

[vt]

http://www.vox.com/a/world-war-i-maps

[Shakespear]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

http://www.vox.com/a/world-war-i-maps

Good find vt. WW I, the Russian Revolution and the French Revolution are keys to understanding the evolution of Western World closer to our times.

[Slimprofits]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

What's missing is a map of pre-war, known oil fields.

[lakedaemonian]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

Lots of arbitrary lines on maps.

I think the arbitrary lines on maps thing is going to haunt us in the Middle East and Africa for a number of decades to come.

And there's the distinct possibility that the arbitrary lines on maps problem might still rear its head on the fringes of Europe.

Governments intentionally ignoring lines on maps is a growing issue for North America.

[nedtheguy]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

redacted

[GRG55]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

What's missing is a map of pre-war, known oil fields.

Coal was king back then...they weren't fighting about oil which was in very limited demand.

[Shakespear]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

Coal was king back then...they weren't fighting about oil which was in very limited demand.

Good point and important in understanding what is happening in conflict areas. Perhaps this presentation will clarify you point,
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...72676100,d.bGE

Notice where the cheap coal was which after the war created problems for British labor hence gov. Thus setting up in part the next conflict to eliminate this competition.

[don]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

Coaling stations were essential to Great Power navies.

A note on maps - they make war neat and clean.

[Shakespear]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

A note on maps - they make war neat and clean.

YOU HAVE your thinking cap on Don !!!
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/up...5541F84037.jpg

[Slimprofits]

Re: 40 Maps That Explain World War I

Coal was king back then...they weren't fighting about oil which was in very limited demand.

From what I've read (which isn't to say that it's necessarily true), Churchill was in the process of having the Navy convert from coal to oil. Here is one related snippet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/149259.stm

The Amoco merger propels BP into a new dimension and is possibly the high point in the history of the company which was first registered in 1909 under the name Anglo-Persian Oil.

But the company's origins go back to 1901, when a wealthy Englishman, William Knox D'Arcy, ventured into the Iranian desert to search for oil.

For seven years, Mr D'Arcy battled with difficult terrain, an uncertain political situation and rising costs.

But in 1908 the venture found oil in southwest Persia. One year later, Anglo-Persian Oil was formed.

However, by then most of the company was owned by the Burmah Oil company.

Shortly before World War I, Anglo-Persian managed to find a new backer - and good customer.

After lengthy negotiations, the oilmen promised Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, secure supplies of oil.

In exchange the British government injected £2m of new capital into the company, acquired a controlling interest and became de-facto the hidden power behind the oil company.