Europe, 1914
From World War I: The Complete Story
By 1914, years of skillful statesmanship had placed Europe in the hands of leaders upon whose decisions rested the frangible peace of a continent; the slightest provocation threatened to revive ancient grievances and shatter the debilitated political edifice of Europe.
". . . on history's clock it was sunset, and the sun of the old world was setting in a
dying blaze of splendor never to be seen again."
~ Barbara Tuchman 1