There is nothing more agreeable in life than to make peace with the establishment and nothing more corrupting.
A. J. P. TaylorRead
In 1917 European history, in the old sense, came to an end. World history began. It was the year of Lenin and Woodrow Wilson, both of whom repudiated the traditional standards of political behaviour. Both preached Utopia, Heaven on Earth. It was the moment of birth for our contemporary world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote signifies a pivotal moment in history where traditional political norms were challenged, leading to the formation of the modern world.
A. J. P. Taylor highlights the year 1917 as a turning point in European and world history, marking the shift from established political conventions to revolutionary ideas championed by leaders like Lenin and Wilson. This moment is portrayed as the genesis of contemporary political thought and society, suggesting that ideals of a perfect society began to take precedence over traditional practices.
Themes
HistoryPoliticsRevolutionChangeUtopia
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the impact of World War I on modern politics.
More from A. J. P. Taylor
All quotes →The male clerk with his quill pen and copper-plate handwriting had gone for good. The female short-hand typist took his place. It was a decisive moment in women's emancipation.
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Though the object of being a Great Power is to be able to fight a Great War, the only way of remaining a Great Power is not to fight one.
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If there had been no troublemakers, no Dissenters, we should still be living in caves.
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Bismarck fought 'necessary' wars and killed thousands, the idealists of the twentieth century fight 'just' wars and kill millions.
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He was what I often think is a dangerous thing for a statesman to be - a student of history; and like most of those who study history, he learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones.
A. J. P. TaylorRead
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