It's all about context.

[nwhiker]

Today I was telling Linnea that 11 November will mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918, the end of World War I.

So we got to talking about World War I.

She asked me what were the causes.

And there I was, at a total loss.

I mean, World War II is understandable in the context of German and Italian actions, Hitler and Mussolini, fascism. Add in anti-semitism, resentment about the Treaty of Versailles, and you've got a recipe for conflagration.

World War I... is more subtle in its causes, and requires a deeper understanding of European politics of the 19th century, of imperialism, as well as knowledge of how the wars of 1848 didn't put nationalism to rest, just allowed it to simmer. In addition, the interplay of alliances all over the continent is not something she knew anything about.

I tried. I'm not sure she understood much, not having enough context to place that event in the historical period that precipitated it.

She's taking world history this year. I wonder if they will delve into that at all.