What does the phrase War to End All Wars refer to?

• A. The belief that the end of World War I would end all wars
• B. The belief that World War II ended all wars
• C. A treaty that ended all conflicts after 1919
• D. A novel about pacifism

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is the belief that World War I would usher in permanent peace. People in that era hoped the devastation of the war would deter future conflicts, so they called it the “war to end all wars,” suggesting that the catastrophe itself would establish a lasting era of diplomacy and security. This phrase reflects the optimism around efforts like international cooperation and the creation of bodies such as the League of Nations, aiming to prevent another such war. It’s not about a specific treaty, a work of fiction, or a claim that all conflicts would be instantly solved, but about the hopeful conviction that ending World War I would stop wars forever. In hindsight, history showed that wars continued, which is why the phrase stands out as a momentary, hopeful expectation rather than a guaranteed outcome.