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A Century of War - Part 1 (1848-1875) can be found here.
A Century of War - Part 2 (1876-1900) can be found here.
A Century of War - Part 3 (1900-1908) can be found here.
When we last left off, all the nations of Europe were having tea and crumpets and reminiscing great memories together. They were having a jolly old time and everybody was cool with everybody else.
Right.
Since their actions weren't exactly violating the treaty, but were close enough to be questionable, Austria was in favor of simply amending the treaty. Germany--their closest ally--was on board with this idea and they got Italy to jump on board too. Italy was their other ally, true, but they were originally in opposition to the actions. But then they remembered a part of their Triple Alliance agreement where they would be compensated with the last formerly-Italian parts of Austria if they were to back Austria in any expansion efforts. They didn't end up receiving this compensation.
In the end opposition backed down and amendments were made to the Treaty of Berlin to allow Austria to annex Bosnia. The willingness of the Bosnian people to be annexed I believe was a very important deciding factor.
Technological Breakthrough (1909)Balloons and flight overall had been around for the better part of a century by this point, mostly in the way of balloons tethered to the ground that could go up....and then come back down, and that's about it.
1884 - The first flight of a controlled airship...The Wright brothers were not simply the first to fly, so don't be fooled. A powered balloon called La France was a powered, controllable, balloon made in France (the name is about as original as our events server passwords).
1900 - First zeppelin flight...there is actually a difference between "balloons" and "zeppelins" (which are actually a type of dirigible...aka "blimps"), since the first zeppelin (made by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, lol) made in 1900 had an actual rigid structure that was filled with a series of gasses to make it lighter than air. Balloons are pretty much nothing but canvas and hot air.
1903 - The first flight by the Wright brothers - they were not even the first to fly a traditional winged "airplane" as you might think. The official definition of their achievement was the first "sustained, controllable, powered flight" with a "heavier than air" (airplane design, as opposed to balloon or zeppelin) device. Therefore they were the first to fly as we know flying to be.
So what's the point? We're in 1909, not 1884...1900...1903. Well, I wanted to give you guys a little history of flight, because less than six years after that first "sustained, controllable, powered flight", in 1909 we saw the emergence of the first militarily-conceived planes. That's right...within six years of one of the finest inventions in the modern world, men were figuring out ways to use it to harm others.
Agadir Crisis (1911)
Germany, Austria v. Britain, France, Italy, Russia, Spain
It's a good thing the Agadir Crisis happened in North Africa, because there had not yet been any other conflict in Morocco--especially involving Britain and Germany.
Errrr....well....at least Britain and Germany hadn't been in an arms race for a decade to have the world's largest navy...
Ok you can see where I am going with this. The slightest uncovered sneeze in Morocco with these players was going to become exaggerated, so when Moroccans rebelled against their Sultan, it was enough to have world-wide repercussions (though a completely domestic event). You see, France (being in control of Morocco) was worried that the rebellion would grow and harm lives of French people in Morocco, so they tried to stop it on their own, sending in troops. A few months later, suddenly there is a German gunboat in the port of Agadir.
Britain was reluctant to help France to this point, since they were unsure of the French response, but with the emergence of Germans in the area unexpectedly, Britain worried that there was an unknown Germany naval base in the area. Perhaps Germany was aware of this reluctance, as they tried to plant a seed in France's ear that the British were just in the alliance to further their own needs. Germany offered their support to France...so long as France agreed to a deal swapping parts of Africa with Germany.
In the end France actually did make the deal, but Britain and France ended up being closer than they were from the start. It also polarized the two opposing sides, as Germany's potentially-dangerous mystery (where the hell did this warship come from?!) and chicanery greatly concerned members of the Triple Entente.
Italo-Turkish War (1911-12)
Italy v. Turkey
Speaking of the Treaty of Berlin...back when that was being negotiated, Italy wanted Libya pretty bad, but it was determined that they "got enough" from the treaty, so it remained in Ottoman's hands. By this point in time, however, Italian press actually began to lobby for an Italian invasion to take Libya. They pointed out that it was hardly being occupied/defended by the Ottomans and that Libyan's were more in favor of Italy anyways. The Ottomans tried to suggest a situation such as they had previously utilized with Austria in reference to Bosnia, where Libya would be ran by Italy, but officially a part of the Ottoman Empire. This wasn't good enough for Italy though, so war it was.
The Italians took Tripoli and surrounding areas rather easily, but then the Ottomans (consisting of mainly Arab forces) counted nearly just as easily. At this point there was just a small Italian force present though, so when it was heavily reinforced (along with far superior equipment...including the first use of armored military vehicles and the first use of airplanes in war), the Ottomans stood little to no chance of holding them back. Italy took advantage of this heavily lopsided war to strike a deal with the Ottomans to get Libya.
Seeing how easily the Italians had beat back the Ottomans...
Britain: "Us too."
In the end, the Balkan League was just too strong (they outnumbered the Ottoman forces over 2-to-1) and they also had the advantage of a distracted Ottoman Empire for the first half of the war. They won the war and the Ottomans surrendered the regions in question to the Balkan League. This made Russia happy. After all--they helped form the Balkan League. (PanSlavic Movement!) More land out of Ottoman control and into Slavic control.
They were about the only happy ones though. Multiple countries (such as Germany or Britain) were concerned at where war in the Balkans might lead. Austria-Hungary was upset because the Balkan League had just gained lands that Austria itself had hoped to claim, ever in the quest to expand. Well, at least the Balkan League should be happy with their victory, so there will be less issues in that region, right? ...right?
Here's what happened...when the new gains were divvied up, Albania was suddenly formed as an independent nation. All of that territory was thereby not going to any of the already-standing members of the Balkan League. That meant that the remaining territories weren't divided up how some of the nations (particularly Bulgaria) would have initially hoped. Bulgaria announced that if they were not given what they had wanted, then they would just take it by force. Greece and Serbia (from whom they would be taken) responded to Bulgaria, "The hell you will..." This meant that just two weeks after the end of the First Balkan War...
Since the turnaround took just two weeks, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the war took less than five. Both sides inflicted great casualties on each other and then decided that they were at a virtual stalemate and preferred peace to war, so it was treaty time. Pretty much all that happened was a swap of territories. Also, somehow the Ottoman Empire, in their participation, regained some of the places they had just lost in the previous month. Probably the most important outcome of this small war, other than the additional tensions, was that it caused Russia to cut pretty much all ties with Bulgaria for their actions. This meant that, as far as Balkan regions went, Serbia had Russia's full support.
Hitler's father died in 1903, which actually cause him to be more disruptive to the point of expulsion from his school. At just 14 years old he began to move around a lot on his own, unable to find his way in life (his mother died in 1907 and he seemed to fail at everything he tried--new schools, etc.). Most of his friends were actually Jewish until he moved to Vienna in 1910. Vienna was a very prejudiced region so Hitler began to read different magazines and books that were rather anti-Semitic and talked about "the many horrible and selfish things" Jews had done (some true, some false--most inflammatory and exaggerated) at different times and in different places in history. He slowly started leaning that way himself. It didn't help that Jews were all over and identified themselves more as "Jews" than as "Austrian" or "German" or "English" or what-have-you (always "Jew"--never "Austrian-Jew"). They were like a poison, something foreign wherever they were to be found (...thought the Austrian living in the heart of Austria who considered himself German...).
(I saw this picture with the Bill Gates pic jeod uses and it made me laugh so hard I had to use it)Pop quiz: What started World War I?
If you said "the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria", you are technically right. I could have, therefore, just started here and saved myself the effort of 66 years of history, so why didn't I? Well, because if you want to be technical, that isn't the event that started the war.
How can I say this? Well, if you have been keeping up, you would know already. Suppose there isn't the Russo-Turkish Wars...or the fighting in the Balkans...or an arms race between Germany and Britain...or any of the events leading to the alliances... Take those away (maybe even one of them), and does the assassination of the Archduke set things off like this? I don't think so.
Say you hit the game-winning grand slam in your championship baseball game to win it, 5-3. You aren't even in that position to win it if the guys in front of you don't get on base first. Heck you don't even need to hit it if the pitcher struck out the guy on the opposing team who just hit the three-run homer and gave them the lead. So yes...this was the culmination of many events, but I think they all lead to the Great War.
But now...back to the "shot heard round the world"...
Remember the "Black Hand"? Well, they reformed in 1911 and officially adopted that name. Don't forget that they were already powerful, but just continued to grow stronger and stronger. Their influences lead to a movement in Serbia away from Austria, especially during events such as the Austrian annexation of Bosnia (which, remember, Serbia was against). This lead to a series of assassination attempts against officials in Austria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, etc. They became more and more bold as the targets became more and more prolific.
The Archduke was one of the strongest advocates for a continued acquisition of Balkan lands and growth of Austria. This made him a huge target for the Black Hand, so when he traveled to Bosnia to observe military maneuvers, he and his wife were assassinated.
This assassination, at the end of June, lead to...
Austria: You killed ma Archduke! Who did this?
Assassins: We're from Serbia.
Serbia: Dude, we warned you they were gonna do this.
*Everybody turns to look at Serbia
Serbia: Just kidding. We had no idea it was gonna happen...heh heh...
Austria-Hungary: Well we want something done about this.
Serbia: We're trying! Kinda...
Austria-Hungary: Well you'd better. We don't want to fight you over this.
Germany: Dude, you should just fight them. We'll have your backs if you do.
Austria-Hungary: Actually, Germany, I am kinda worried about Russia and the Balkans. I think they're after me...maybe we should let the Ottomans into our alliance just incase.
Germany: Hey, whatever you want dude--we're with ya.
Austria-Hungary: Not so sure we want to fight though...Hey Serbia--you owe us. We want this...and this...and this...and...
Serbia: Woah woah woah woah dude we can't do all that...
Austria-Hungary: ...and we want it yesterday! Or else!
Serbia: OMG WTF is going on??? So confused...
Britain: Ummm...this isn't looking so good for all of us....
France: No, it really isn't...
Russia: Hey Austria...uh...maybe can Serbia have a week to comply with your demands instead of...ya know...yesterday? And Serbia...just...play along, ok? Just do what they ask right now and we'll figure all this out later.
Britain: Hey, yeah, Russia, you settle them down and Germany, you settle Austria down, k? We can solve this without fighting.
Germany: Huh, what? Screw you Britain! You can't tell us what to do! Austria will do what it wants.
Britain: Hey wait...did you guys have something to do with all of this?
Germany: Uhh...with what? We don't know anything about Austria's ultimatum or any plan to attack Russia when they attacked Serbia.
Russia: Excuse me??
Germany: What? Nothing. But...I mean...you guys are starting to mobilize and that's kinda threatening and...we can't really let that happen or we're screwed...
Serbia: Hey uh, so...we're still in the middle of us and Austria isn't talking to us anymore but they're giving us a real mean look so we're getting worried...
Russia: Britain, you're with us still, right?
Britain: Yes....
Austria: Screw it...
*Austria swings at Serbia*
Russia: Ho boy, let's get ready, Russians.
France: Crap, that means we need to get ready too, France.
Russia: Austria, if you follow through on that punch, we have to get involved.
Britain: Hey guys, nobody needs to fight at all...
Germany: STFU Britain! Go away!
Britain: That's not very nice.
Austria: I'm gonna do it...
Russia: You'd better not...
Austria: I'm gonna!
Britain: Don't do it...
France: Yeah man, don't.
Germany *whispers*: Doooo ittttt...
Russia: Seriously, you'll pay for it...
Germany: See Britain! Russia wants to fight! WTF why aren't you telling them to stop.
Russia: I'm just saying, you'll pay.
Austria: Oh yeah, who's gonna stop me? You, tough guy?
*Austria punches Serbia*
*Russia punches Austria*
Russia: I warned you...
*Germany punches Russia...and Luxembourg...and starts to swing at France*
Germany: You fight my friend, you fight me!
*Belgium, walking by, steps in front of Germany's swing at France*
Belgium: Hey WTF did I do?
*France swings at Germany*
*Russia swings at Germany*
Britain: Here we go...
Ottoman Empire: We're here too!
*Ottomans swing at Russia and Balkans*
*Complete mayhem ensues--the Great War breaks out*
A Century of War - Part 2 (1876-1900) can be found here.
A Century of War - Part 3 (1900-1908) can be found here.
When we last left off, all the nations of Europe were having tea and crumpets and reminiscing great memories together. They were having a jolly old time and everybody was cool with everybody else.
Right.
The Bosnian Crisis (1908-09)
The Treaty of Berlin (remember that? Formed in 1878 as the end of the Russo-Turkish War?), in reference to Bosnia, said that it was still a part of the Ottoman Empire...but that it was actually be ran by Austria. Well...in late 1908, Austria decided they were going to just annex Bosnia (and Herzegovina). The Ottomans were upset because they were losing part of their territory (which was kinda funny since Austria ran it anyways). Serbia was upset since there were parts of Bosnia that the Serbians wanted, but couldn't really protest as being separated from when Bosnia was "Ottoman." Other signees to the Treaty of Berlin (Britain, France, Russia) were upset that this action violated the Treaty of Berlin--though it wasn't actually directly addressed.
Since their actions weren't exactly violating the treaty, but were close enough to be questionable, Austria was in favor of simply amending the treaty. Germany--their closest ally--was on board with this idea and they got Italy to jump on board too. Italy was their other ally, true, but they were originally in opposition to the actions. But then they remembered a part of their Triple Alliance agreement where they would be compensated with the last formerly-Italian parts of Austria if they were to back Austria in any expansion efforts. They didn't end up receiving this compensation.
In the end opposition backed down and amendments were made to the Treaty of Berlin to allow Austria to annex Bosnia. The willingness of the Bosnian people to be annexed I believe was a very important deciding factor.
Technological Breakthrough (1909)
1884 - The first flight of a controlled airship...The Wright brothers were not simply the first to fly, so don't be fooled. A powered balloon called La France was a powered, controllable, balloon made in France (the name is about as original as our events server passwords).
1900 - First zeppelin flight...there is actually a difference between "balloons" and "zeppelins" (which are actually a type of dirigible...aka "blimps"), since the first zeppelin (made by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, lol) made in 1900 had an actual rigid structure that was filled with a series of gasses to make it lighter than air. Balloons are pretty much nothing but canvas and hot air.
1903 - The first flight by the Wright brothers - they were not even the first to fly a traditional winged "airplane" as you might think. The official definition of their achievement was the first "sustained, controllable, powered flight" with a "heavier than air" (airplane design, as opposed to balloon or zeppelin) device. Therefore they were the first to fly as we know flying to be.
So what's the point? We're in 1909, not 1884...1900...1903. Well, I wanted to give you guys a little history of flight, because less than six years after that first "sustained, controllable, powered flight", in 1909 we saw the emergence of the first militarily-conceived planes. That's right...within six years of one of the finest inventions in the modern world, men were figuring out ways to use it to harm others.
Agadir Crisis (1911)
It's a good thing the Agadir Crisis happened in North Africa, because there had not yet been any other conflict in Morocco--especially involving Britain and Germany.
Errrr....well....at least Britain and Germany hadn't been in an arms race for a decade to have the world's largest navy...
Ok you can see where I am going with this. The slightest uncovered sneeze in Morocco with these players was going to become exaggerated, so when Moroccans rebelled against their Sultan, it was enough to have world-wide repercussions (though a completely domestic event). You see, France (being in control of Morocco) was worried that the rebellion would grow and harm lives of French people in Morocco, so they tried to stop it on their own, sending in troops. A few months later, suddenly there is a German gunboat in the port of Agadir.
Britain was reluctant to help France to this point, since they were unsure of the French response, but with the emergence of Germans in the area unexpectedly, Britain worried that there was an unknown Germany naval base in the area. Perhaps Germany was aware of this reluctance, as they tried to plant a seed in France's ear that the British were just in the alliance to further their own needs. Germany offered their support to France...so long as France agreed to a deal swapping parts of Africa with Germany.
In the end France actually did make the deal, but Britain and France ended up being closer than they were from the start. It also polarized the two opposing sides, as Germany's potentially-dangerous mystery (where the hell did this warship come from?!) and chicanery greatly concerned members of the Triple Entente.
Italo-Turkish War (1911-12)
Italy v. Turkey
The Italians took Tripoli and surrounding areas rather easily, but then the Ottomans (consisting of mainly Arab forces) counted nearly just as easily. At this point there was just a small Italian force present though, so when it was heavily reinforced (along with far superior equipment...including the first use of armored military vehicles and the first use of airplanes in war), the Ottomans stood little to no chance of holding them back. Italy took advantage of this heavily lopsided war to strike a deal with the Ottomans to get Libya.
Seeing how easily the Italians had beat back the Ottomans...
Fifth German Naval Law (1912)
Germany
Germany: "There are people fighting in the world...this does not concern us...but maybe we could use more war ships anyways."Germany
Britain: "Us too."
First Balkan War (1912-13)
Ottoman Empire v. the Balkan League (Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, etc.)
...well that was random, where was I? Oh yeah...so seeing how easily the Italians had beat back the Ottomans, the various groups of the Balkan regions joined together to form the Balkan League and began to fight the Ottoman Empire themselves while the Italo-Turkish War was still going on. The Ottoman Empire still held parts/regions of the Balkans that the Bulgarians, Serbs, etc. thought should be their own, so this is what they were going to war for--to gain those lands.Ottoman Empire v. the Balkan League (Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, etc.)
In the end, the Balkan League was just too strong (they outnumbered the Ottoman forces over 2-to-1) and they also had the advantage of a distracted Ottoman Empire for the first half of the war. They won the war and the Ottomans surrendered the regions in question to the Balkan League. This made Russia happy. After all--they helped form the Balkan League. (PanSlavic Movement!) More land out of Ottoman control and into Slavic control.
They were about the only happy ones though. Multiple countries (such as Germany or Britain) were concerned at where war in the Balkans might lead. Austria-Hungary was upset because the Balkan League had just gained lands that Austria itself had hoped to claim, ever in the quest to expand. Well, at least the Balkan League should be happy with their victory, so there will be less issues in that region, right? ...right?
Here's what happened...when the new gains were divvied up, Albania was suddenly formed as an independent nation. All of that territory was thereby not going to any of the already-standing members of the Balkan League. That meant that the remaining territories weren't divided up how some of the nations (particularly Bulgaria) would have initially hoped. Bulgaria announced that if they were not given what they had wanted, then they would just take it by force. Greece and Serbia (from whom they would be taken) responded to Bulgaria, "The hell you will..." This meant that just two weeks after the end of the First Balkan War...
Second Balkan War (1913)
Bulgaria v. the rest of the Balkan League + the Ottoman Empire (lol)
...suddenly there was another Balkan War, where allies became enemies and enemies became allies...after just two weeks.Bulgaria v. the rest of the Balkan League + the Ottoman Empire (lol)
Since the turnaround took just two weeks, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the war took less than five. Both sides inflicted great casualties on each other and then decided that they were at a virtual stalemate and preferred peace to war, so it was treaty time. Pretty much all that happened was a swap of territories. Also, somehow the Ottoman Empire, in their participation, regained some of the places they had just lost in the previous month. Probably the most important outcome of this small war, other than the additional tensions, was that it caused Russia to cut pretty much all ties with Bulgaria for their actions. This meant that, as far as Balkan regions went, Serbia had Russia's full support.
Friend to the Jews (1914)
Austria
Balkans Balkans Balkans. Well...we're not done there yet, so how about a change of pace?Austria
Hitler's father died in 1903, which actually cause him to be more disruptive to the point of expulsion from his school. At just 14 years old he began to move around a lot on his own, unable to find his way in life (his mother died in 1907 and he seemed to fail at everything he tried--new schools, etc.). Most of his friends were actually Jewish until he moved to Vienna in 1910. Vienna was a very prejudiced region so Hitler began to read different magazines and books that were rather anti-Semitic and talked about "the many horrible and selfish things" Jews had done (some true, some false--most inflammatory and exaggerated) at different times and in different places in history. He slowly started leaning that way himself. It didn't help that Jews were all over and identified themselves more as "Jews" than as "Austrian" or "German" or "English" or what-have-you (always "Jew"--never "Austrian-Jew"). They were like a poison, something foreign wherever they were to be found (...thought the Austrian living in the heart of Austria who considered himself German...).
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914)
Bosnia
Bosnia
(I saw this picture with the Bill Gates pic jeod uses and it made me laugh so hard I had to use it)
If you said "the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria", you are technically right. I could have, therefore, just started here and saved myself the effort of 66 years of history, so why didn't I? Well, because if you want to be technical, that isn't the event that started the war.
How can I say this? Well, if you have been keeping up, you would know already. Suppose there isn't the Russo-Turkish Wars...or the fighting in the Balkans...or an arms race between Germany and Britain...or any of the events leading to the alliances... Take those away (maybe even one of them), and does the assassination of the Archduke set things off like this? I don't think so.
Say you hit the game-winning grand slam in your championship baseball game to win it, 5-3. You aren't even in that position to win it if the guys in front of you don't get on base first. Heck you don't even need to hit it if the pitcher struck out the guy on the opposing team who just hit the three-run homer and gave them the lead. So yes...this was the culmination of many events, but I think they all lead to the Great War.
But now...back to the "shot heard round the world"...
Remember the "Black Hand"? Well, they reformed in 1911 and officially adopted that name. Don't forget that they were already powerful, but just continued to grow stronger and stronger. Their influences lead to a movement in Serbia away from Austria, especially during events such as the Austrian annexation of Bosnia (which, remember, Serbia was against). This lead to a series of assassination attempts against officials in Austria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, etc. They became more and more bold as the targets became more and more prolific.
The Archduke was one of the strongest advocates for a continued acquisition of Balkan lands and growth of Austria. This made him a huge target for the Black Hand, so when he traveled to Bosnia to observe military maneuvers, he and his wife were assassinated.
This assassination, at the end of June, lead to...
The July Crisis (1914)
Everybody.
This is my version of what happened in July following the assassination of the Archduke--Everybody.
Austria: You killed ma Archduke! Who did this?
Assassins: We're from Serbia.
Serbia: Dude, we warned you they were gonna do this.
*Everybody turns to look at Serbia
Serbia: Just kidding. We had no idea it was gonna happen...heh heh...
Austria-Hungary: Well we want something done about this.
Serbia: We're trying! Kinda...
Austria-Hungary: Well you'd better. We don't want to fight you over this.
Germany: Dude, you should just fight them. We'll have your backs if you do.
Austria-Hungary: Actually, Germany, I am kinda worried about Russia and the Balkans. I think they're after me...maybe we should let the Ottomans into our alliance just incase.
Germany: Hey, whatever you want dude--we're with ya.
Austria-Hungary: Not so sure we want to fight though...Hey Serbia--you owe us. We want this...and this...and this...and...
Serbia: Woah woah woah woah dude we can't do all that...
Austria-Hungary: ...and we want it yesterday! Or else!
Serbia: OMG WTF is going on??? So confused...
Britain: Ummm...this isn't looking so good for all of us....
France: No, it really isn't...
Russia: Hey Austria...uh...maybe can Serbia have a week to comply with your demands instead of...ya know...yesterday? And Serbia...just...play along, ok? Just do what they ask right now and we'll figure all this out later.
Britain: Hey, yeah, Russia, you settle them down and Germany, you settle Austria down, k? We can solve this without fighting.
Germany: Huh, what? Screw you Britain! You can't tell us what to do! Austria will do what it wants.
Britain: Hey wait...did you guys have something to do with all of this?
Germany: Uhh...with what? We don't know anything about Austria's ultimatum or any plan to attack Russia when they attacked Serbia.
Russia: Excuse me??
Germany: What? Nothing. But...I mean...you guys are starting to mobilize and that's kinda threatening and...we can't really let that happen or we're screwed...
Serbia: Hey uh, so...we're still in the middle of us and Austria isn't talking to us anymore but they're giving us a real mean look so we're getting worried...
Russia: Britain, you're with us still, right?
Britain: Yes....
Austria: Screw it...
*Austria swings at Serbia*
Russia: Ho boy, let's get ready, Russians.
France: Crap, that means we need to get ready too, France.
Russia: Austria, if you follow through on that punch, we have to get involved.
Britain: Hey guys, nobody needs to fight at all...
Germany: STFU Britain! Go away!
Britain: That's not very nice.
Austria: I'm gonna do it...
Russia: You'd better not...
Austria: I'm gonna!
Britain: Don't do it...
France: Yeah man, don't.
Germany *whispers*: Doooo ittttt...
Russia: Seriously, you'll pay for it...
Germany: See Britain! Russia wants to fight! WTF why aren't you telling them to stop.
Russia: I'm just saying, you'll pay.
Austria: Oh yeah, who's gonna stop me? You, tough guy?
*Austria punches Serbia*
*Russia punches Austria*
Russia: I warned you...
*Germany punches Russia...and Luxembourg...and starts to swing at France*
Germany: You fight my friend, you fight me!
*Belgium, walking by, steps in front of Germany's swing at France*
Belgium: Hey WTF did I do?
*France swings at Germany*
*Russia swings at Germany*
Britain: Here we go...
Ottoman Empire: We're here too!
*Ottomans swing at Russia and Balkans*
*Complete mayhem ensues--the Great War breaks out*
For example, when i bought the special boxed set of Hannah Montana with the limited edition Hannah Montana and High School Musical portable dual screen DVD player i only let myself watch a few minutes a day so i could make the awesomeness last longer. You could say i like to savor things i enjoy. 
