::
Centralization of Financial Power in War:
- Major Banking Involvement: Banking families like the Rothschilds funded multiple nations, including Germany, Britain, and France, profiting from the war’s extensive debts.
- JP Morgan’s Role: In the U.S., JP Morgan became a major supplier of war materials to Britain and France, effectively controlling a significant portion of global consumption during the early war years.
Profit Over Politics:
- The chapter emphasizes that financial elites prioritized profit potential over political or ideological concerns driving the war.
- Banking and Debt: Wars, by creating massive debts, proved lucrative for banks, reinforcing the idea of financial interests fueling conflict.
Historical Context:
- England’s War Financing: The Bank of England exemplified how nations historically used financial systems to fund military endeavors, continuing the trend in World War I.
Broader Geopolitical Impacts:
- Russian Revolution: The chapter highlights how Western financial institutions, including the Federal Reserve, indirectly supported revolutionary movements like the rise of communism in Russia.
- Geopolitical Shifts: Financial backing of such movements reshaped global power dynamics, extending the influence of banking interests.
Conclusion:
World War I is presented as a conflict driven not only by national or political motives but significantly by the financial agendas of powerful banking entities seeking profit and influence from war-induced debt and geopolitical upheaval.
Video and summary of this chapter is at: “23. World War I”
Discuss it below.