"The great armies, accumulated to provide security and preserve the peace, carried the nations to war by their own weight"

This quote by A. J. P. Taylor speaks with the power of military forces and their capability to influence the choices of countries. Taylor recommends that the large armies, which were created to secure and maintain peace, paradoxically ended up leading nations to war. This is because the large size and strength of the armies developed a sense of security and confidence in the nations, which in turn led them to become more aggressive and willing to participate in conflict. Taylor's quote highlights the value of keeping a balance in between military strength and diplomacy in order to prevent war. It also functions as a pointer that the power of military forces need to not be ignored, as they can have a considerable impact on the decisions of countries.