Climbing The Ladder To Chaos

   On the 28^th of June, 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, was a turning point in World history, as it lead to many years of inimical events, and repercussions we still face today.

   The assassination sparked riots and civil fights, and eventually igniting the fire for World War I. It was the first time, tanks, flame throwers and other modern weapons were used. The First World War united countries against countries; man, woman and child worked for the betterment of their nation. The war, however, did lead to over sixteen million casualties, along with the destruction of livestock, food and property. It created a storm of PTSD in civilians who lived to experience this devastation. Despite being known as the ‘War to end all Wars’, the very occurrence of WWI constructed a tremulous path towards prodigious World problems. The ‘Treaty of Versailles’ was one step up towards the problem.

   As the ‘Treaty of Versailles’ was released in Paris, 1919, it called for measures to be imposed on Germany. While many saw this as justice, Germany saw it as an unfair deal that they were tricked into signing. This very resentment in their hearts was to be manipulated and used by the Austrian born dictator, Adolf Hitler, who brought about the advent of racism, hate and mass violence. Another world war became inevitable on the night known as ‘Kristallnacht’; the night of broken glass. World War II was the rise of Nazism, an ideology that influenced many and victimized millions. The war resulted in over fifty million causalities and the destruction of major land marks and sites.

   The world witnessed two great wars, and many in between. It saw the fall of large empires, such as the Russians (1917), and the rise of many more. The world also saw ideologies spread like fire; Nazism and Fascism. While many learned from their mistakes, there were many who chose to further strengthen these archaic ideologies into the modern civilization.

   The rise of Neo-Nazism in today’s time has caused a divide between the people. Some fight for supremacy and control, others fight for equality and peace. Leaders, much influenced by Hitler’s dictatorship, abuse their powers and the sentiments of the public to climb the ladder to chaos. They feed off the neglected and breathe in the misery of the oppressed. Its inherent, that one individual is the sole cause for much larger effects. It takes one to bring about a domino effect, and one to influence many. Those with a stronger platform, can either guide the ones listening towards positivity, or guide the listeners to disaster. While we pray the World should never witness another tragic war, some leaders have already shepherded the listeners higher on the ladder to destruction.   

Author's Note

here I refer to the acts of racism and violence in America under their leaders
acts of violence from both sides in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries, and the never ending and endless animosity between Pakistan and India.
There is no time for hate and pettiness. The world is walking towards its own doom if we continue to fight and destroy each other over skin colour, race and religion.

Reviews

[Jiya]

Our soldiers dying and Pakistani militants jeering is no 'pointless animosity' from India. Everyday the newspapers and the newschannels pay tribute to soldiers being killed at the border from shell fire. It's heartbreaking to see children of my age crying over their parents' dead bodies who were killed just because of this pointless animosity.
India has tried time again to be on peaceful terms with Pakistan but this pointless animosity is only from one side. Given a chance to house a Pakistani in my house, I would. But I don't know many pakistanis who would even offer a glass of water to an Indian. It's not that every Pakistani is hostile towards Indians but I strongly feel that Pakistanis should not forget that they all were once hindustanis.

[Jiya]

I adore your writings but i don't see myself agreeing to this opinion of yours.

[pia]

That's actually a falsely informed opinion
India has its part in making peace while some try to spread hostility
Pakistan has its part in spreading peace and it has its part played in spreading hate
Both countries have tried. I've spent time with Indians. There was no hate or judgement. In fact the youth of Pakistan work towards spreading peace. And you claiming if any one would give you a glass of water if u had a home in Pakistan. Well if you lived right next to me I'd send you biryani everyday !! There r all sorts of people in Pakistan. Bad and good. As well as in India.
And you are right Pakistan was once a part of Hindustan, but it's not anymore, the two countries are different and have different identities. We all need to learn how to respect that. This isn't an argumentative essay I wrote that it needs an agreement or a disagreement. It's calling for peace

[pia]

Both countries claim news to which we don't know whether it's true or false. Don't always go for what the newspapers claim m. Go with what morals compass one should instil in themselves

[Katy]

In US too we talk about Pakistan based terror groups.

[pia]

Also I think you misread what I said in the note. I said pointless animosity between the two. Not from India

[Jiya]

Unemployment of Pakistani youths is a prevailing issue of Pakistan. They are fighting amongst themselves how can they spread peace? But of course there are some exceptions. I don't have any grudges against u pia.

[pia]

i know you don't. i appreciate your analysis and i totally respect your opinions. You are right. he government is doing nothing to solve the unemployment crisis. education is a huge issue here. I think you mistook me trying to paint Pakistan in an image its not really in. infact if you read my work "tribalism within" you'll see that i am vert well aware of the problems of Pakistan. this wasnt an article aimed solely to prove a pakistan vs india point.

[KeeD]

There is hostility and ignorance on both sides. When it comes to land and power, no nation will agree for humanities sake, because giving in is like giving up to a world etched in it's egoistic pursuits. Living in Mumbai and experiencing the animosity my fellow indian's have for pakistan, some of these people I know do not even read a newspaper or have any factual information upsets me. It's a social disease like racism, passed on from one ignorant generation creating another. Sure there is a backstory, there are facts and conflicts based on why the hatred emerged between two nations, but in 2017 if I can't look at my neighbouring country and say I have a ton of friends there and know a lot of people I could trust my life with then I might as well live on mars and be surrounded by radiation, for that would kill me a lot faster and have me avoid suffer the slow death of being surrounded by hatred.

[pia]

True words ^

[PandaPeaceful]

War is what the world was and is, today. Leaders think that they deserve much more than us. Surely not all of them do, but a great deal of them do. This very planet is so prone to inequality- cancel that, most of us are prone to inequality. We truly are taking a stroll down destruction. Powerful work! I hope the world changes for the good.

[pia]

Thank you so much

[Relic]

The ladder of change does seem to be getting longer. There is so much division in our world today which is nothing new. However, the availability to here about it through more media sources and regular people (from the internet) seems to raise tensions more.

I read about WW2 so I like what you've written here. 60 million people is a lot of souls leaving the earth too soon.

Well done Pia.

[pia]

Thank you so much !!

[Gee]

In builders speak " the world is a pretty fucked up place at present" That's what happens when to many men have to much power.

[pia]

You're right !!! Power should be used to enlighten and empower others for a good cause

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. I have study history all my life and I watch my world. We are at a stand-off. All people, all races and all religions must stand as one or fall together. History does repeat itself. Mad-men are running our world. Must be stopped. A worthwhile write my friend..
Coyote

[pia]

Thank you so much !!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Pia.

[Tony Jordan]

Unfortunately the powers-that-be fear people uniting as one and toppling them in favour of populist governments, so they are willing to create and foment chaos in the form of sectarianism and tribalism and racism and lots of other 'isms'.
As long as they don't get hurt themselves though !!

Your write is universal and timeless yet timely Pia.

[pia]

you are so right
all extreme sides of ideologies are dangerous. moderation and unity is important.
thank you so much

[Tony Jordan]

The hot heads are so easy to rile up. I hope love and good sense wins through.

[Tomás Ó C..]

The world never learns, its all too true...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed we are cattle to be manipulated by those with power and influence to the point we will rage against our neighbours. Catholic against protestant, Sunny against Shia, Buddhist against Rohingya. Such a sad state of affairs when most humans are loving and tolerant. A great piece to spark debate Pia.

[pia]

wonderful analysis
thank you so much

[emmajoy]

Wherever we look, whatever direction, there is more than scuffles, there are out and out bloody wars and interminable arguing, weak leadership and - fear amongst the average being.

It's all very well writers talking about THE WORD.. but, tragically, books have been burned by their thousands in the past - just as people have. WHY?

Because Mankind forgets that HISTORY is every teacher that ever was WISE... and thus, seemingly, is to be IGNORED. What a blind and deaf world.

[pia]

History is something that teaches us a lot
Thank you so much for your review !!!

[Einstein Noodle]

i guess this may be recognized as "concrete poetry" but for me it reads as a treatise on the history of violence .. in your note "..heinous acts..." is pretty strong language ... i am not sure it applies so broadly to racism in America today..and certainly not by our President ... so with respect i disagree...
for me violence, fear and greed (the dark side) fester in each human soul and place of emotion since the beginning ... i have no hope for a universal resolution to this challenge .. there will always be the "bully" ..the "thief" .. the "murderer", sadistic beasts prowling ... and so the need for one to protect .. it is sad :( i think your writing is sound (given the history is accurate) and well organized ... taking the "ladder of success" and showing it as something quite different is brilliant and filled with wisdom of the ancients ;)
it is distressing to see all these things happening world wide ..i do not know how people without Faith deal with it ... big cleansing breath right now...and wishing you peace and joy in your soul ..as the world burns :(((
E.

[pia]

I appreciate your review
Racism isn't just confined to America but to the whole world
Even in the subcontinent. If you read my article "tribalism within" I highlighted many points of violence in Pakistan itself amongst different sects.
You are right
I should bring in a broader term for racism and all the violent acts attached to it.
There will always be a villain in this world (sometimes it's what makes things interesting lol) but like I said is it really something that should be there at the cost of million lives being lost ?
Thank you for your analysis. I respect your opinions and your review

[Einstein Noodle]

it is a blight on our humanity no doubt

[Vic]

A succinct and important summary of recently historic events that still impact the entire world to this day. It is true that history is doomed to repeat itself if it is forgotten, and it is useful to be reminded of what has happened before as a commentary for what is happening today.

[pia]

Thank you for your wonderful analysis vic
Appreciate it !!