Asked what would be his idea of Heaven, one statesman in 1897 said it would be to receive a flow of telegrams alternating news of a British victory by sea and a British victory by land.
In her book "The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914," author Barbara W. Tuchman explores the sentiments and aspirations of statesmen during the late 19th century. One intriguing perspective shared in the book reflects a statesman's vision of Heaven, which he expressed in 1897. He imagined a perfect realm where he would receive uninterrupted telegrams reporting British military victories, both at sea and on land.
This statement reveals the pervasive nationalism and the glorification of military success that characterized this era. It underscores the values of power and dominance that many leaders held dear, where victories in warfare were viewed as the ultimate achievements, fueling national pride and optimism about the future.
