Life — July 8, 1915 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Militarism" - Life Magazine Commentary This editorial page critiques militarism in early 20th-century Europe. The text argues that militarism—not actual warfare—causes nations' problems, defining it as "a state of mind" where military values dominate society. The three cartoons illustrate this concept through soldiers experiencing escalating trouble: 1. "Some are born trouble-some" - a soldier struggling with his equipment 2. "Some achieve trouble" - another soldier causing chaos 3. "And some have trouble thrust upon them" - soldiers in violent conflict The captions parody Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage" speech, suggesting militarism inevitably creates conflict. The text specifically criticizes Germany's Prussian military culture as the worst example, while noting France and England have also suffered militarism's corrupting influence on their societies.