Mildly interesting subject arose recently, concerning the origins of the terms, "Western Front" and "Central Powers."
I assume that Westfront was used from an early stage in Germany so as to distinguish it from the Ostfront.
It seems the first known use of the expression in Britain was in a Parliamentary statement in March 1915, and it was in common use by June.
"Central Powers" is more of a problem. Lots of references say it was "the term used to mean Germany and A-H . . ." By whom? And from when? Wikipedia allow this rather loose phrase, which is not up to their usual exacting standards.
Any offers?
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
"Central Powers" is more of a problem. Lots of references say it was "the term used to mean Germany and A-H . . ." By whom? And from when? Wikipedia allow this rather loose phrase, which is not up to their usual exacting standards.
Any offers?
I'm sure some would say the term goes back to the "triple alliance" of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy of 1882 which was balanced by the "triple entente" of Britain, France and Russia in 1907.
One take on it would be, come 1907, there was one too many "triples" to avoid public confusion and, while the central powers were conveniently grouped geographically and contiguously, the other side was not. The challenge is to find documentation of course but one probably needs to start at 1907 if that logic is right, but maybe even back to 1882 if it is not quite right.
Alternatively it just might actually go back only to when Italy refrained from entering the war on the side of its alliance partners or, a little later, to when it progressively swiched to the Entente side - any one of which three events might be suggested with variable precision by the "Germany and Austria-Hungary" definition of "lots of references". Well, one too many options for it to be "an alternative" as Inspector Morse might "helpfully" point out, but you know what I mean.
Good luck with this one - I'm sure someone else has delved into it, sometime. If not, here is your opportunity to make history :) Bon chance! But you are right - the present popular sources are inadequate.
Steve
-- Edited by Rectalgia on Sunday 13th of November 2011 04:58:57 AM
