"Lenin was the first to discover that capitalism 'inevitably' caused war; and he discovered this only when the First World War was already being fought. Of course he was right. Since every great state was capitalist in 1914"

A. J. P. Taylor's quote is a reflection on the insight of Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution. Taylor acknowledges that Lenin was the first to acknowledge that commercialism was the root cause of war, and that he only came to this realization when the First World War had actually currently begun. Taylor then goes on to state that Lenin was right in his assessment, as all of the major powers involved in the war were capitalist nations. This quote works as a testament to Lenin's insight and understanding of the world, and how his concepts have actually stood the test of time. Taylor's quote also functions as a pointer of the harmful power of commercialism, and how it can cause war and dispute. It is a pointer of the need for care and restraint when it comes to making use of industrialism, and the requirement to ensure that it is utilized properly and in such a way that does not cause conflict.