Unit 8: history readings

The Road Black and Restless Days: Author

Low quality of life, disabled veterans, visual evidence of WWI • Inflation, but unemployment, disruption in industry • Aftermath of Total War - Due to Total War most likely (not mentioned in document), also loss of markets and business, there's economic hardship. This is evident in Germany especially -- Reparations (again, not mentioned in doc). Supposedly might foreshadow rise of facism, maybe because of all this economic downturn, they want stability?

"Behind the blind come the men with one eye, the tattered faces of men with head wounds: wry, bulbous mouths, faces without noses and without lower jaws, entire faces one great red scar with a couple of holes where formerly were a mouth and a nose. But above this desolation, quiet, questioning, sad human eyes."

The Economic consequences of the peace: Author and date

Blames the economic hardships on the Treaty of Versailles, and Reparations for Germany specifically -- and many other groups. The consequences are short-term economic downturn, and long-term destruction of German industry and possibly death of millions of Germans who will be unable to support themselves.

This population secured for itself a livelihood before the war, without much margin of surplus, by means of a delicate and immensely complicated organization, of which the foundations were supported by coal, iron, transport, and an unbroken supply of imported food and raw materials from other continents.

What is fascism: Author and date

Mussolini was originally an elementary school teacher (Chris thought this was funny) • Authoritarian nationalism. Kinda opposite of democracy • Stability, after a period of chaos. "The Fascist State organizes the nation, but leaves a sufficient margin of liberty to the individual" -- sounds like a best of both worlds, appealing perhaps. Rejecting the trend "of Socialism, of Liberalism, and of Democracy".

"And if the economic conception of history be denied, according to which theory men are no more than puppets, carried to and fro by the waves of chance, while the real directing forces are quite out of their control, it follows that the existence of an unchangeable and unchanging class-war is also denied - the natural progeny of the economic conception of history."

Mein Kampf: Author

Mein Kampf: Date

Class Notes: • More cultural (than Mussolini); goes beyond Mussolini's more objective defining language • Controlling of all systems, not just government -- culture especially. Prelim Notes: Says Germans/Europeans ("Aryan") are foundation for culture, and Jews destroy their purity. Mussolini might agree somewhat?? Ideas become popular in the 30s most likely because of all the other countries looking down on Germany after WWI, Hitler saying they're the best and looking down on Jews.

"Around peoples who offer too violent a resistance to attack from within he weaves a net of enemies, thanks to his international influence, incites them to war, and finally, if necessary, plants the flag of revolution on the very battlefields."

The New Negro: Author

The New Negro: Date

Old vs. New Negro -- new archetypal figure • Old = American South | agricultural | suppressed -- Jim Crow • New = Urban | Northern | Freer (not fully)

"The answer is no; not because the New Negro is not here, but because the Old Negro had long become more of a myth than a man."

Two Views of Appeasement: Author

: Accusing leaders in conference, blaming WWII on them • Doc 2: Neville did what he could; did what seemed like best action at the time Prelim Notes Kennan disapproves of Munich Agreement, Taylor approves. Kennan says French officials passed it in vain, Taylor says "appeasers" did nothing wrong, were trying to make best of situation. Kennan's argument is stronger -- it looks at the situation from different angles and provides evidence.

Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: Author

Values of patriotism and glorious fighting in one of the greatest war in history. Relates to appeasement because Churchill is taking diplomatic actions.

It was necessary that this should be done in one single day on account of the extreme urgency and rigor of events. Other key positions were filled yesterday. I am submitting a further list to the king tonight. I hope to complete the appointment of principal ministers during tomorrow.

Iron Curtain: Author

Iron CUrtain: Date

The iron curtain refers to all of the places that are subject to Soviet influence The safety of the world requires a unity in Europe, as it is the quarrels of the strong parent races in Europe the world wars have sprung. • In the US and the British Commonwealth, communist parties to don't constitute a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilizations. • "Iron Curtain" = separation of east and west, where each side can't see what the other is doing; can't move it either (cuz it's iron) • Results in more distrust; no diplomacy possible Prelim Notes The iron curtain is the line dividing Europe into two; "Central and Eastern Europe" and the "Soviet sphere". He says that "The safety of the world...requires a unity in Europe," and the US at "the pinnacle of world power" has a large role to play as well. He thinks the Soviets do not desire war, but what war will bring them

"It is necessary that constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall rule and guide the conduct of the English-speaking peoples in peace as they did in war. We must, and I believe we shall, prove ourselves equal to this severe requirement."

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan: Author and date

Examples of containment • Truman: containing communism by providing money for military purposes • Marshall: containing communism by providing money for rebuilding European economy -- to create an economic ally Prelim Notes The Truman Doctrine says that the US should "support free peoples," primarily through "economic and financial aid." It seems that while the Truman Doctrine refers to "every nation," while the Marshall Plan will only help those to the west of the iron curtain. Suggests that US have immense power after WWII, shift away from Europe.

"At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one."

It is clear that the United States cannot expect in the foreseeable future to enjoy political intimacy with the Soviet regime. It must continue to regard the Soviet Union as a rival, not a partner, in the political arena.

Soviet ideology is "inherently aggressive," must be contained = Containment. • Becomes basis for US foreign policy, though not entirely accurate Prelim Notes Suggesting that the Soviets want to expand Communism? Kennan has been there for a long time and really understands Russia which is probably why they trust him...? Basically, US should put pressure on Russia.

The Sources of Soviet Conduct: AUthor and date

In their relations with the People's Democracies the Communist Party and the Soviet Government strictly adhered to the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs.

US is actually the aggressive one, imperialist. • Both sides have a basis for conflict -- each ideology can be conisdered "aggressive" Prelim Notes Soviet's perspective is that the US is militarizing numerous regions, almost like imperialists; they were suggesting that the US were not creating peace but rather disrupting it. Essentially, this document differs from the other in that it is critical of the US.

The Cold war: A soviet persepctive: Author