Treaty extensions and different expectations of peace

Repeated extensions preserve constraints beyond the intended breathing space. The interwar belief that war between major powers was over assumed that smaller opponents would be easy to defeat. The same assumption reappears in later claims that technological superiority leaves major powers facing only wars of choice, a misuse of the 'end of history' argument in this assessment. Experiences of the First World War differed: some sought permanent peace, while others regarded it as unfinished business, victory or opportunity. Governments also joined for different reasons, including saving money, redirecting expenditure and weakening military factions. A shared agreement therefore does not imply shared strategic assumptions.