At the end of the 19th century, most of the believed that there would never again be an 'all-out' war between nations and were optimistic which civilization was advancing in ways which would make wars of all types less likely. Starting with World War I, though, the 20th-century witnessed impressive advances in the technology of war, adding immensely to the damage which war can do. From our vantage point today, describe the role optimism or naivety played in the brutality and tragedy which came to be known as the Great War.