THE SECOND HUNDERD-YEAR WAR

Immediately after the defeat of Japan, the Netherlands sent troops to Indonesia. When this tropical paradise (economically, culturally and natural richness (oil, wood, rubber, coffee and tea) was conquered by the Japanese, this occupation ended another one. Since the 17^th century the Dutch “owned” the archipelago. The trade on the East Indies, brought huge profits to Amsterdam. Dutch traders owned enormous plantations of exportable goods, while the locals did not have enough to eat and babies died. Collateral damage.

The Dutch occupation by the Nazis and their reign of death and terror had just ended a few months before. In 1945 World War 2 did not end. It was continued in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle-East. After a bloody fight for independence the Dutch left Indonesia. With pain in their heart. But they had not realized that the Western countries had lost a lot of “face”. Their position of power was brought down by Asians. But did World War 1 end. Yes it officially ended on 11.11 hours. Americans were fighting till the end. And soldiers died till the end AND EVEN BEYOND. Out of this Great War rose the Soviet Union, but not after a bloody civil war. The Reds against the White, communists against tsarists. This last party was openly supported by the former Allies. Italy became a fascist state and it wanted to restore their influence on the “Mare Romanum”. So they occupied parts of Northern Africa (Libia, oil) and modern-day Ethiopia. Haille Selassie, emperor of Abyssinia, delivered a dramatic speech to the United Nations about the atrocities of the Italian army.  But nothing happened. In Germany too a new militant state rose, Nazi Germany. Japan attacked Korea and China and were on their way to “Empire”.

In 1939 France and England declared war on Germany, after their march into Poland. Before that the Nazis had brought, without any resistance, Austria and Tsjecho-Slowakia “Heim ins Reich”. It was a silent war for the Allies, but not for Poland. They were attacked by the Russians and the country was simply cut in two. Strangely enough the Allies did not declare war on Russia, like they did to Nazi-Germany. It became definitively a world war in 1941, Hitler, foolishly, declared war on the United States. Japan, by the way, did not attack Russia. Siberian troops saved the day at the battle of Moscow. 

After this 4 1/2 years of world wide warfare. Millions of people die. This is the first war where the civilians are target themselves. The atomic bomb brought Japan on its knees, but it did not end the war.

The Dutch fought the Indonesians in New Guinea, the French the Vietnamese and the Belgians fought in the Congo-arrea against local factions. The first major clash was Korea, which led to a divided country, that is heading towards extremes (atomic confrontation?) . The same “solution” was used for Vietnam. After years of battle and 60.00 American dead, the US left Saigon. Vietnam was united again. You win some, you loose some, so to say.

To make a long story short war, bombardments, civil strife, peace keeping and terrorist attacks have become a “normal” ingredient” of our day-to-day life.

The “100 year-war” is repeating itself, but with increasing intensity. The first one in the Dark Ages, between England and France, lasted for over 100 years. In 2018 we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the defeat of Imperial Germany. Everybody who participated will be dead.

At a peace-rally in the eighties a young girl was wearing a sign that said: “I was born after the war and want to stay that way”. Meant was World War 2, but I am inclined to think: “Which War .”