Christopher Capozzola is a professor of history at MIT. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Wealthfront: https://wealthfront.com/lex to get $50 sign-up bonus - InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/lex EPISODE LINKS: Christopher's Instagram: https://instagram.com/boundbywarbook Christopher's Website: https://boundbywarbook.com Christopher's books: Bound by War: https://amzn.to/3QssboA Uncle Sam Wants You: https://amzn.to/3Bw5KdT PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (05:50) - How World War I started (20:27) - US and World War I (37:24) - US Military (43:43) - War in Ukraine (47:53) - American Civil War (53:31) - World War II (1:12:38) - Nationalism (1:23:27) - US elections (1:49:34) - Donald Trump (2:03:39) - Philippine–American War (2:10:02) - Greatest US president (2:14:36) - Advice for young people (2:16:53) - Meaning of life
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Though events in the summer of 1914 triggered the start of World War I, the true cause can be traced back at least a generation earlier when rising powers such as Germany began focusing more on military and naval affairs.
During World War I, trenches that were first dug to avoid artillery shelling became two-mile-wide defense systems and included everything from telegraph wires to whole hospitals. The majority of battlefield casualties during this time were a result of artillery shelling.
This episode discusses the decision of the United States to enter World War I in 1917 and how civilians in the warring powers were aware of the war's destructiveness early on.
The image of Uncle Sam and his famous phrase "I want you" served as a recruitment poster and became a symbol of propaganda during World War One, as mass media and production technologies were mobilized to gain support for the war efforts.
The World War I triggered the distrust in centralized power and made evident the importance of individual rights, leading to small provisions for conscientious objectors with religious objections to all war.
The military-industrial complex and escalating tensions between countries point to the possibility of a global war. To avoid an escalation of conflicts, systems should not be locked into place and money should be invested in areas other than weapon development.
The American Civil War and World War One were different in how they defined American citizenship and the citizens' relationship with the war. Additionally, the US immediately began shaping peace efforts before both conflicts even ended.
The speaker reflects on the fact that the Third Reich was held together with "duct tape" and that Hitler, as a human being, has been constructed as an evil monster. They suggest that there are interesting perspectives that can be found in books about this topic, even if the authors are not trained historians.
The act of recording oral histories and preserving documents are crucial for historians to better understand the past. Additionally, having an inclusive nationalism can help bring people from different backgrounds together to work towards a shared project.
The conversation discusses how mass movements and diplomacy can prevent wars and highlights the distinction between social or economic divisions and partisanship.
The speaker states that they believe the evidence is clear that elections are not rigged, despite claims from both sides and regardless of the type of election. They point out that accusations of rigging can come from numerous reasons, including the perception of a tilted system.
The institution of American and global life allows for regulation and reshaping of major media players by the people of the United States. However, this will require oversight by institutions that are insulated as much as possible from partisan politics, which is difficult at present.
The speaker discusses Twitter's ability to shape conversations and start wars with its powerful tweets. While Twitter and other social media platforms have taken a strong stance on COVID-19, they are also used for sharing information and knowledge.
The hope of a centrist candidate to save America from its current political polarization is just an illusion, as primary systems and party candidate selection methods tend to favor partisan views, as opposed to moderate ones.
Participatory budgeting and more complicated systems of voting can be used to give people more reflection of their choices than simply picking one candidate in elections.
The podcast discusses the impact of neoconservative foreign policy and movements for democracy and democratization that emerged in Latin America, South Korea, and Eastern Europe until they were halted by the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, and how American history can be viewed from the Pacific to understand its power.
The significance of historical figures is measured not only by their immediate impact but by the lasting institutions and processes they help create. Understanding history is understanding the shared human condition beyond religious belief.
A conversation with Christopher Capazzola on the impact of World War One on the 20th century and today's struggles to avoid World War Three. The conversation ends with a quote from Woodrow Wilson and a response from George Santana on the true nature of war.