Fact check: WORLD WARS ARE SCRIPTED AND PLANNED SINCE 1871

1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal no credible evidence supporting the claim that world wars have been scripted and planned since 1871. The primary "evidence" cited for this conspiracy theory centers around an alleged letter written by Albert Pike in 1871, which supposedly described three world wars in advance ^{[1] [2]}. However, the most recent and detailed examination of this letter concludes that its authenticity remains unproven ^[3].

Historical sources examining World War I provide comprehensive accounts of the war's actual causes, including European expansionism, Serbian nationalism, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, alliance conflicts, and Germany's militarism ^[4]. These sources present the war as resulting from complex geopolitical tensions rather than predetermined planning ^{[5] [6]}.

The year 1871 appears in various contexts - including the formation of the first modern pan-German nation ^[7] and conspiracy theories related to the District of Columbia Organic Act promoted by QAnon believers ^[8] - but none of these sources connect 1871 to any evidence of pre-planned world wars.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits crucial context about the Albert Pike letter, which is the primary source cited by proponents of this theory. The letter's authenticity has been extensively debated, with scholars unable to verify its legitimacy ^[3]. This missing context is significant because the entire conspiracy theory hinges on this single, unverified document.

The statement also fails to acknowledge the well-documented historical causes of World War I, which include specific political assassinations, alliance systems, and nationalist movements that developed organically rather than according to any predetermined script ^{[5] [6] [4]}.

Additionally, the claim ignores how this conspiracy theory has been adopted by various extremist movements, including the Reichsbürger movement in Germany, which has used similar unfounded historical claims to justify plots against democratic governments ^{[7] [9]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement presents a conspiracy theory as established fact without providing any verifiable evidence. This approach benefits individuals and organizations that profit from promoting alternative historical narratives and conspiracy content, particularly through books, podcasts, and online platforms that monetize sensational claims ^{[1] [2]}.

The claim demonstrates confirmation bias by selectively focusing on the year 1871 while ignoring the extensive historical documentation of how world wars actually developed through complex political, economic, and social factors ^{[5] [6] [4]}.

The statement also employs false certainty by using definitive language ("ARE scripted and planned") when the underlying evidence - primarily the disputed Albert Pike letter - remains unverified and likely fabricated ^[3]. This type of misinformation can be particularly harmful as it undermines trust in legitimate historical scholarship and democratic institutions, as evidenced by its adoption by extremist groups planning actual violence against governments ^{[7] [9]}.