> Java picked momentum because in 1996, ANSI C++98 wasn't a thing, each compiler was catching up with the standard and many library vendors just gave use C libraries with us having to write C++ wrappers ourselves.
Yes. The experience in the early 90's meant everyone was looking for a saner choice. By the time C++ was the saner choice, Java had already received a giant boost.
Also in 2000 I was writing K&R C on a HP-UX compiler, let alone the state of C++ compilers for writing portable code.