Syllabus of the background and issues of the world war

Front matter

Class _Jl5^L^ Boole ■ b

CDEXRIGHT DEPOSIT

SYLLABUS OF

Preface

This Syllabus was prepared for the use of the Instructors and students in the War Aims or Issues of the War course in connection with the Student Army Training Corps work at the University of Missouri.

Being prepared very hastily, the syllabus has, of course, some defects. The author assumes responsibility for all these. He wishes also to acknowledge his constant indebtedness to the text-books and outlines of recent European History and especially to the works by C. H. Hayes, C. D. Hazen, L. H. Holt and A. W. Chilton, and J. S. Schapiro. From all these he has borrowed freely for topic outlines and details.

Much help has also been rendered by the author's colleagues who have done a great deal to make the Syllabus of more value to teachers and students. Mr. H. G. Brown of the Economics Department prepared sections II and III; Mr. Jonas Viles and Mr. F. F. Stephens of the History Department sections XXIII, XXIV; and Mr. J. E. Wrench of the History Department sections XIII, XXI, and XXII. Valuable assistance was rendered also by the members of the History Department in the preparation of the Reading References and of the Study Problems.

Norman M. Teenholme September 30, 1918.

Contents

Useful References— Text Books and Special Works of

Importance.

Introductory: Purpose and Character of the Course.

PART I. Geographical, Racial, and Economic Setting of the World

War.

I. Geography, Races, and Agricultural and Mineral Resources of Europe.

II. Transportation Systems and Policies of the Chief Belligerents.

III. Trade Relations and Policies of the Chief Belliger-

ents.

PART II. Historical Background to the World War

IV. Modern European Development to the French Revolu-

tion. Old Europe.

V. The French Revolution and Democracy, 1789-1799. VI. Napoleonic Popular Imperialism and its Influence, 1799-

1815.

VII. The Conflict of Reaction and Liberalism, 1815-1850. VIII. Nationalism and Democracy in Europe During the Later Nineteenth Century.

IX. Origin of the Prussian State and of the German Empire.

X. The Development of Popular Government in Great Britain and the Evolution of the British Empire. XL Colonial Expansion and National Imperialism. XII. The New France after 1870 and its Republican and Democratic Development.

XIII. The Development of Nationalities in the Near East.

The Balkan States.

XIV. International Relations and Diplomacy. The Great

Alliances and the Armed Peace, 1871-1905. XV. The Conflict of Alliances and the Great Diplomatic Crises, 1905-1914.

Part III

The World War and its Issues. War Aims.

XVI. The Causes, Character and Progress of the World War. XVII. German War Aims and the Issues of the War in Regard to Germany.

XVIII. War Aims and Issues in Regard to Belgium and France. XIX. The Kingdom of Italy and The Issues of the War. XX. Issues of the War in Regard to Austria-Hungary and

the Czecho-Slovaks and Jugo-Slavs. XXL Russia and the Slavic Issues of the War. XXII. Issues of the War in Regard to Turkey and her Empire.

XXIII. How America Came into the War.

XXIV. The Meaning of the War to America.

XXV. War Aims, Peace Proposals and the General Issues

of the World War.

Appendix A. War Aims and Peace Terms of President

Wilson.

Appendix B. War Aims and Peace Terms of Prime

Minister Lloyd George.

SYLLABUS OF

THE BACKGROUND AND ISSUES

OF THE

WORLD WAR

Useful References.

A. Text Books on Recent European History and Government. C. H. Hayes, The Political and Social History of "Europe, 2 vols.

This work emphasizes the developmental aspects of European nationalism and democracy, and lays special stress on economic and social problems. Vol. II, 1815-1915, is especially valuable for this course.

C. E. M. Hawkesworth, Last Century in Europe. Chiefly international relations.

C. D. Hazen, Europe Since 1815. An interesting survey of political and diplomatic history with emphasis on great movements and great leaders up to 1910.

, Modern European History, 1789-1917. An abridgement of the above work with additional subject matter at the beginning and end. A useful popular manual.

L. H. Holt and A. W. Chilton, History of Europe, 1862-191 ' h Political, military and diplomatic survey of the last half century centering around German national imperialism and militarism. A valuable reference book.

F. A. Ogg, The Governments of Europe. The best one-volume account of the character of the leading European governments.

, Economic Development of Modern Europe.

Valuable.

J. S. Schapiro, Modern and Contemporary European History. Carries the history of recent Europe to 1918 in a topical way, emphasizing political, economic and cultural forces and movements in thirty chapters. Valuable for its comprehensive and up-to-date information.

Ch. Seignobos, Europe Since 1814, trans, by S. M. Macvane. The standard French text on recent European history- A little out of date now but still valuable for the period up to 1890.

B. Special Works of Importance.

Committee on Public Information, Washington, D. C. Publications in the Red-White-and-Blue Series and War In* formation Series. Over thirty books and pamphlets. Students should have ready access to all of these publications and particularly to No. 7 (Red-White-and-Blue), The War Cyclopedia; No. 5, Conquest and Kultur; and No. 116, The Study of the Great War. The President's announcement of American war aims will be found in No. 9, War Labor and Peace, of which a large number of copies should be secured. Most of these publications are furnished without cost while for others a small charge is made. Every library should have a complete file.

J. M. Beck, The Evidence in the Case.

A. Bullard, The Diplomacy of the Great War.

W. S. Davis, Roots of the War.

W. M. Fullerton, Problems of Power.

O. P. Chitwood, Immediate Causes of the Great War.

J. W. Gerard, My Four Years in Germany.

Yves Guyot, Causes and Consequences of the War, trans, by F. A. Holt.

A. B. Hart, Editor, America at War, (Outlines and references).

S. S. McClure, Obstacles to Peace.

H. H. Powers, The Things Men Fight For.

, America Among the Nations.

J. H. Rose, Development of the European Nations, 2 vols.

, The Origins of the War, J871-1914.

J. G. Seymour, Diplomatic Background to the War.

E. C. Stowell, The Diplomacy of the War of 191Jf.

Andre Tardieu, France and the Alliances.

Roland Usher, Pan Germanism.

C. Maps and Charts.

U. S. Government, Strategic Map of Central Europe. To be obtained from Supt. of Documents, Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D. C. (30c)

Denoyer-Geppert, European History Maps. A large and up-to-date collection of historical maps and charts, Denoyer- Geppert Co., Chicago.

W. & A. K. Johnston, Maps for European History. A serviceable set of history maps and charts for modern times at reasonable cost. A. J. Nystrom Co., Chicago.

Wall maps of Europe of today of any kind or a large outline map of Europe, which can be filled in, can be used to advantage. Some sort of map is essential to the course. The maps in the text-books and reference books should be studied and referred to constantly.

INTRODUCTORY— PURPOSE AND CHARACTER OF THE COURSE.

(1) Purpose: to give students "an understanding of what the war is about and of the supreme importance to civilization of the cause for which we are fighting."

(2) Character: to deal with "the remote and immediate causes of the war" and with "the underlying conflict of points of view as expressed in the governments, philosophies, and literatures of the various states on both sides of the struggle."

(3) This course will be given by means of lectures and quiz sections. Opportunities for questions and discussions will be arranged. Students must have a text book and a Syllabus. An effort will be made to provide reference and reading material in connection with the lectures and study problems.

Part I

GEOGRAPHICAL, RACIAL AND ECONOMIC . SETTING OF THE WORLD WAR.

I. Geography, Races and Agricultural and Mineral Resources of Europe.

(Use as large a map as possible).

(1) Geographical characteristics of Europe. Smallest of the continents. Peninsular in type. An extension of Asia, making Eurasia. Southern peninsulas of Greece, Italy, and Spain. Great central plain of France, Germany, Austria, and Russia. Northern peninsular-insular region of British Isles. Peninsulas of Denmark and Scandinavia.

(ID

(3) Climate of Europe varies greatly. In general in western and central Europe it is moderate with considerable rainfall. Influenced greatly by warm winds and currents from the western and southern Atlantic. Southern Europe much milder in climate on account of the Mediterranean basin and warm breezes from Africa.

(4) The surface conditions of Europe of the west show centuries of civilization. Densely populated and well cultivated in pre-war times. Little wild country except in mountainous regions or those parts now devastated by war.

(5) The significance of the physical geography of Europe. Many natural divisions making for separation of peoples into linguistic and cultural units. Consequent growth and development of nationalities. Sixty different languages at least and about as many large and small nations or peoples in Europe to-day. Political imperialism in Europe a defiance of geographical and historical influences.

(6) The racial question in regard to Europe a difficult and complicated one. Europeans chiefly of the Caucasian race with its three divisions of Mediterranean, Teutonic, and Alpine. This classification scientific and biological. The long headed or dolichocephalic type, includes both the Mediterranean and Teutonic races, and the round headed or brachycephalic type, which is the Alpine race. Other possible types less important. Frequent mingling of races in ancient times has practically destroyed scientific race classification in Europe of to-day.

(7) Other race classifications of less scientific sort. Linguistic and political races known frequently as nations or peoples. The Aryan classification, based on language, of Greeks, Italians, Celts, Germans and Slavs. Nationalism in modern times independent of race purity. A matter of common traditions, customs and institutions which people are used to, believe in and respect.

(8) The national idea in relation to geography. Importance of national-geographical unity. War, conquest and annexation harmful to national geographical unity and freedom. Examples of the failure of national boundaries to correspond with national feelings and sentiments numerous in Europe and ought, as far as possible, to be corrected.

1. The German empire in political control of

a French population living in Alsace Lorraine. These districts taken from France in 1871 although the inhabitants declared themselves French in sympathy and desired to remain a part of France. They wish to belong to the French national state, speak French and live as Frenchmen not Germans.

2. The Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary holds in more or less unwilling subjection many races and nationalities such as the Czecho-Slovaks of Bohemia and Moravia, the Rumanians of Transylvania, the Ruthenians and Poles of Galicia, the Serbo-Croats, Bosnians and Herzegovinians of Croatia-Slavonia, and the Italians of the Adriatic. Slavic and Latin nationalism under Teutonic and Magyar dominance of military dynastic type.

3. The Poles, a submerged nation, have no national boundaries or territory of their own but have been held in unwilling subjection by Germany, Russia and Austria for over one hundred years.

4. Nationalism and geography are not well adjusted as yet in the Balkan regions owing to conflicting claims and viewpoints among the Balkan nations. Turkey still dominates considerable European territory not inhabited by people of Turkish nationality.

(9) The political and military geography of Europe and the agricultural and mineral resources, population and military strength of the more important countries engaged in the World War.

1. Great Britain and Ireland, population of 45 millions in small area. Mixture of races and languages has resulted in English language and British nation. Agriculture, grazing, and fishing extensively pursued but food production inadequate to large population. Valuable mineral resources of coal, iron and tin an important economic asset. Necessity of importing large amounts of food stuffs and raw material for the industrial life of the islands. Military strength, with British dominions, 5 millions.

2. Belgium a little country but densely popu-

lated before the war, with 8 millions of people. Extensive agricultural interests also great mineral wealth of coal and iron and much manufacturing and commerce. Germany has occupied 96 per cent of Belgium since 1914. Military strength 300,000.

3. France is the fourth largest European state,

about the size of Missouri, Kansas and Iowa combined. Population of 40 millions. Valuable agricultural resources and considerable live stock before the war also important coal fields but lacking in iron supply on account of the loss of Alsace Lorraine, a great iron district containing more iron ore than all the rest of Prance put together. Extensive, manufacturing interests of all sorts and large export trade in times of peace. Military strength 6 millions.

4. Germany the third largest European state with a population of 68 millions. A federation of 26 states under Prussian dominance. Little sea coast. Important agricultural and mineral resources. Rye the chief grain but also wheat, barley and oats, and other products. Large mineral wealth of coal, iron, lead, copper, silver and zinc. Extensive salt mines. Large manufacturing interests and tremendous pre-war shipping and commerce. One of the most self-sufficing of European countries in resources and ingenious in inventing substitutes of all sorts. Military strength at least 8 millions.

5. Austria-Hungary, the second largest European country, with a population of 50 millions. Very valuable and extensive agricultural interests especially in the Danube valley where wheat and other grains are grown on a large . scale. Vast amount of largely undeveloped mineral wealth in the mountainous region and in Bohemia. Much less manufacturing and foreign commerce than in the case of Germany, Great Britain or France. Few outlets for commerce, and wealth comes principally from land. Military strength 3 millions.

6. Italy, the smallest of the major powers in area and population, with 34 millions of people. Agriculture the principal industry of the peninsula and is especially successful in the north on account of the fertile plain of the Po valley. Rice, wheat and corn raised in abundance in peace times. A great fruit country and large production of wine. Malarial fever very common and a serious hindrance to Italian prosperity. Little coal or iron in the peninsula but iron mines on the island of Elba. Considerable manufacturing being developed. Military strength 3 millions.

7. Eussia is the largest of European states being as large as all the rest of Europe. Russian empire in Europe and Asia makes up onesixth of the land surface of the world. Population of millions in Russia in Europe. The numerous nations and tribes and some 40 languages and dialects. Extensive and valuable agricultural wealth as soil is fertile in many regions particularly north of the Black Sea so that Russia is a great farming country. Raises enormous wheat crops under normal conditions; also rye, barley and oats. Extensive lumbering interests, valuable forests. Much grazing and various kinds of live stock. Great undeveloped mineral wealth in coal, iron, copper, platinum, gold, silver and precious stones in remote parts of Russia. The country a vast region of potential wealth. Has been held back by lack of enlightenment and civilization. Great need of scientific exploitation and of better outlets for its products. Military strength formerly more than 8 millions. (10) Summary and conclusions: Europe a continent marked by its diversity of geographical divisions and nationalities. Nationalism not well adjusted territorially in all cases. Its economic development uneven and hampered by artificial restrictions of all sorts. Great Britain, France and Germany the most developed of the larger countries economically.

Study and Reading References.

Enclycopedia Brittanica, articles on "Europe" and on various countries discussed in the lecture and outline.

Neiv International Encyclopedia, same articles as referred to above, late national statistics in the New International Year Books.

Ogg, Economic Development of Modern Europe, ch. 1.

Ripley, The Races of Europe, chapters on the races mentioned.

Tarr and McMurray, Advanced Geography, section on "Europe."

Study Problems.

(1) Explain how the physical geographical conditions of Europe affected her political development and the character of her populations.

(2) Give reasons for the temperate climate of western Europe and describe some other climatic characteristics and variations from north to south.

(3) Comment on the surface conditions of Europe comparing or contrasting them with those in America. What parts of Europe would seem to you most likely to resemble America as regards surface characteristics.

(4) What important political problem is suggested to you by the failure of national boundaries to correspond with national feeling? How would you illustrate this?

(5) Write a descriptive and explanatory essay concerning anyone of the important European countries discussed in a lecture or outline, noting its size, population, natural resources, economic interests and military strength and telling how it has been affected by the war.

II. Transportation Systems and Policy of the Chief Belligerents.

(1) Importance of the transportation systems of the chief countries — (a) as avenues of modern commerce; (b) as means of moving troops and troop supplies.

(2) The transportation system of Great Britain.

1. Rail transportation. Railroads first built in England. High degree of development. Operated and owned by private companies up to time of war. Government regulation of rates. Rates high compared to United States but service regularly includes delivery of goods as by Express compaines in this country. (17)

2. Inland water transportation. Thames Eiver, Manchester ship canal, many smaller streams and canals. Most canals built by toll companies many years ago. Canals had history of great prosperity. Made obsolete by railroads and now little used.

3. Ocean transportation. Foreign or oceanic trade of United Kingdom has long exceeded that of any other country. British merchant marine the chief ocean carrier of the world. Merchant ships encouraged by mail and other subsidies granted for service, speed and right to use in case of war.

(3) The transportation system of Germany.

1. Rail transportation. Lines first constructed by private companies but gradually taken over by states under Bismarck's policy of state operation. Certain evils of private operation — discrimination between shippers — thus ended. Other evils introduced — not allowed to compete with waterways when able to serve more cheaply.

2. Railroad rates higher than in the United States. Roadbeds lighter and cars smaller. Government of Prussia uses railroads as source of revenue. This dependence of government on railroad finance said by one writer (H. R. Meyer) to have pervented expenditures bringing lines up to date. State operation probably due in part to desire for immediate and rapid military control. Location of lines favorable for military control.

3. Inland water transportation. Use of water ways has declined relatively since the beginning of railway era. Efforts of state to revive waterway transportation beginning in the seventies. Large sums spent (18)

for building canals, improving rivers and for maintenance. Cost of water transportation often lower for shipper than by rail. This does not mean cheaper for the nation as a whole. Taxpayers meet much of cost for waterways by taxation. 4. Use of waterways encouraged by government by purposely maintaining 'high rail rates and by the state's paying four-fifths of cost of transhipping from rail to water and back. "German efficiency" here means doing thoroughly the wrong thing. 5. Ocean transportation. Germany had come to have the second largest ocean carrying trade. Yet she had paid only small subsidies while France and Austria had paid large ones.

(4) Transportation system of France.

1. Rail transportation. Lines laid out by government engineers with a view to permanence and avoidance of waste. Costs met by state and companies jointly. Divided into six systems of which, before the war, private companies operated all but one under a state guarantee of earnings. The government operated the other.

2. Inland water transportation. Systems of canals and river traffic developed and maintained by government. Cost maintenance apparently exceeds gain.

3. Ocean transportation. Subsidized ships. Trade and shipping much less than Germany.

(5) Italy, Austria, and Russia. Rail transportation. Lines operated by state in each case. Inland water transportation in these countries less developed than in Germany or France. Ocean transportation relatively unimportant although all had some access to sea and Italy an extensive coast line.

(6) Transportation system of the United States.

1. Rail transportation. Very great mileage. Low freight rates but high passenger rates. , Operation by private companies up to time of war.

2. Inland water transportation. Large use of natural water ways. Small development of canals. Wasteful public expenditure on little used rivers.

3. Ocean transportation. Relative decline of American merchant marine simultaneous with large growth of American foreign trade.

(7) Summary and conclusions: German states' control of rail lines due largely to military reasons. British have developed large merchant marine and kept sea control. Germany and France have followed uneconomic policy with inland waterways. The United States has followed no consistent policy.

Study and Reading Refeeences.

Hayes, Political and Social History, II, index under Railways etc.

Ogg, Economic Development of Modern Europe, chs. xi.

Schapiro, Modern and Contemporary History, see index under Railways and Steam navigation,

Study Problems.

(1) How are the railroads owned and operated in England? What is their relation to the government? Comment on the development of the British merchant marine and explain its importance in the War.

(2) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of state operation of railroads in Germany. How far did military considerations determine their location? What advantage have they proved in this war?

(3) What has been the German policy as to waterways? Has it been to the advantage of German taxpayers? Discuss the influence of the development of the German merchant marine on the causes of the war.

(4) What curious inconsistences occur in the German system of government supported waterways?

(5) Explain how the railroads of France were built and operated? Discuss the importance and value of inland water transportation and ocean traffic to France.

(6) What were the chief defects of the railroads and inland water transportation in the United States as revealed by the war? Why did the American merchant marine decline while American foreign trade increased?

III. Trade Relations and Policies of the Chief Belligerents.

(1) Relative volume of exports and imports before the war.

1. Germany was third in trade, being exceeded

by the United Kingdom and the United States, while France was a poor fourth. In export of manufactured goods Germany stood secon^d preceeded by the United Kingdom and followed by the United States and France.

2. Germany exported so many goods to Eng-

land that the expression "Made in Germany" became a considerable source of disturbance to Englishmen who wanted to preserve their home market for themselves. German banks developed foreign trade and financial relations second only to the British. German ships plowed all the seas.

(2) Rival trade policies of Great Britain and the German Empire.

1. British policy and results. Free trade. Bought goods where cheapest and sold (21)

them everywhere. Prices lower than on continent yet wages higher. Foreign countries whose goods were bought purchased British goods in return thus employing British labor.

2. The United Kingdom, the greatest exporting

country in the world because a great importing country. Reliance on foreign food stuffs made possible large population, great wealth and support of the most powerful navy to protect trade.

3. German policy. Protectionist — high tariff intended to restrict imports. Protection first adopted to foster and protect manufacturing. More recently the emphasis has been placed on protection of agriculture. Protection made greater by high railroad rates on imported goods going to interior.

4. German effort to encourage exports by making a specially low rate on goods for export. Cartels, or syndicate combinations of firms in the same trade, sold at high prices in Germany protected by tariff, and sold at low prices abroad thus increasing export.

(3) Discussion of these trade policies.

1. Economic aspects of German policy. Tariff policy cannot raise wages for it could only do this for any workman by enabling their employer to charge higher prices. But these higher prices would come out of other workmen who bought the goods.

2. Tariff policy of Germany makes no better employment, for men can only be employed making goods to sell abroad if foreign goods are accepted as payment. Although Germany both imported and exported in spite of tariff restrictions, these restrictions may largely explain 1 lie smaller German trade than British.

3. Protection to agriculture raised prices of food to 70,000,000 Germans to enable 300,- 000 landlords, largely Prussian Junkers, to get more rent for their land. This policy made production less efficient by encouraging lines of industry for which the country was not best fitted.

4. Discrimination in favor of exports, if continuous, amounted to gifts by Germans who paid the high prices at home, to foreign buyers who could then buy the German goods cheaply.

(4) Protectionism as a policy of a militaristic state.

1. So as not to be dependent on foreign countries — claimed to be advantageous in wartime. On other hand England's dependence makes her rich and strong enough to have large navy to defend her trade. Independence is of no advantage to the weak. But it may make a people more willing to break with other countries.

2. Independence of Germany makes people contribute to the support, by higher rents, of aristocratic military leaders. Policy of independence entirely inconsistent with a large export trade, and, in fact, Germany's large export of manufactured goods made her dependent on others for part of food supply. Hence the blockade, though not wholly effective, has caused scarcity.

(5) War not a necessary means of securing to Germany commercial opportunity, for

1. Though Russia, Italy, France . and many other countries restricted imports by high tariffs, this was no greater disadvantage to Germany than to Great Britain of the United States.

2. Though Canada and Australia discriminated somewhat in favor of British goods, they did not, as might have been expected of integral parts of the empire, carry this, discrimination to the point of admitting British goods free. The British policy for India has been one of free trade with equal opportunity for all countries.

3. Despite alarmists, the United Kingdom persisted in free trade and gave Germany much of the British home market while producing itself goods for export.

4. The Open Door policy for China and the policies of South American countries meant as large opportunities for Germany as for any other country.

5. A liberal tariff reduction by the United States, in 1913, gave promise of additional opportunities for Germany.

6. Germany's trade was great and growing. Her own policy of restricting imports

probably the chief reason her export trade did not grow faster. Control of large slices of France, Russia and other countries could not be expected to increase German trade unless barriers were removed.

7. Belgium had practically free trade thus giving German goods every reasonable chance.

8. German barriers are as great a hindrance as any to German trade but it is doubtful whether German protected interests would

consent to the removal of these barriers on the German side.

(6) Summary and conclusion. Germany possessed large and growing trade. She had protectionist policy. Great Britain's even larger trade with free trade (24)

policy despite smaller population. Economic loss to Germany from protection. Tendency of military state to be protectionist. Efforts, of Germany to restrict imports while simultaneously increasing exports not possible of success. Resort to war not necessary to give Germany reasonable trade opportunities.

Study and Reading References.

Hayes, Political and Social History, II, see index under Tariff, Commerce, etc.

Ogg, Economic Development of Modern Europe, chs. ix-xv.

Schapiro, Modern and Contemporary History, see index under Protection, etc.

Study Problems.

(1) What was Germany's position as to exports and imports before the war? How was her commercial expansion regarded by Great Britain?

(2) Comment on the character of British trade policy and contrast it with that of Germany. How do you explain the growth of British prosperity under Free Trade conditions?

(3) What were the objects of Germany's protectionist trade policy? Whom did it benefit most?

(4) Discuss the economic aspects of German tariff policy in regard to wages, trade, agriculture.

(5) Why is extreme protectionism likely to be the policy of a militaristic state? Does militarism cause protectionism or might protectionism cause militarism? Debate this question.

(6) Why was war not necessary to secure for Germany better commercial opportunities? Explain your answer fully and give proofs.