of control like this. I can think of situations where a miscalculation caused a war (the first Gulf War is a good example) but not one that could be described as "spiraling out of control". I think the start of World War I *might* fit the bill but I'm not up on my WWI history, unfortunately.
I would say no to this. The Central Powers (specifically Germany) knew exactly what would happen and indeed based their war plans on it. They knew that if Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia would come to Serbia's aid (as the defender of "Pan-Slavism), France would declare war as they were treaty bound with Russia to do so. Britain would declare war when Germany violated Belgium's sovereignty. The Germans indeed miscalculated on many areas (that the Russians would be slow to mobilize, though it didn't matter in the end, that Belgium would roll over and die in a timely manner, that the French would roll over and die in a timely manner, and that GB wouldn't be a factor until it was too late) but from the opening shots Germany was clearly in control of the situation (or at least thought they were!)
Damon. ------------------------------------------------------------ Damon Agretto [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." http://www.geocities.com/garrand.geo/index.html Now Building: On Hiatus :) ------------------------------------------------------------
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