Transnational Comparison
Transnational Comparison
Articles in historical magazines from various countries sometimes describe the same event in a different way. The problem of outbreak of the First World War is a good example of such phenomenon. The comparison of papers on similar subjects, but produced in different countries can help in understanding different perspectives and points of view, especially in such controversial area of science as history.Tasks
1 |
Read articles from the Polish, German and Spanish magazines. Consider how each of the authors shows the role of the German Empire in the First World War. a. What is the source of differences in the presentation of the same problem in the three analyzed texts (Polish, German and Spanish)? |
2 |
How do the considered German and Spanish articles show the public moods of the European societies on the eve of the outbreak of the war? How does this approach differ from the picture sketched in the Polish article? |
3 |
How do the Polish and Spanish articles show the attitude of the nations without their own state to the war? |
4 |
Have a look at the beer advertisement from the Polish article and the caricature of King George V in the Spanish magazine. What are the functions of the humour and jokes on the subject of the war in these two figures? a. Discuss in the group the following problem: how are the values associated with the military promoted today? What are the actions governments take to get public support for the military participation in international armed conflicts (such as intervention in Iraq or Afghanistan)? |
Tasks
1 |
Read articles from the Polish, German and Spanish magazines. Consider how each of the authors shows the role of the German Empire in the First World War.
Methodological remarks: the task can be carried out individually or in groups of two. Solution to the task: The German role in the outbreak of war is discussed very briefly in the Polish article. The author mentions only briefly that although Germany was the first to begin military action, they felt compelled to war by the Triple Entente countries which were trying to encircle the German Empire by diplomatic means (p. 32). In the Spanish article, the greatest responsibility for the outbreak of the war is attributed to Germany, although it is noted that the conflict on a global scale also resulted from many years of growing international social and ethnic tensions. (“It is clear that the direct responsibility for the outbreak of war lies in Germany. However, Germany cannot be assigned the full responsibility.”) The author of the German article does not agree to put the blame for the outbreak of the war solely to Germany, although he does not completely relieve the German politicians from the responsibility for the outbreak. This text indicates that the escalation of global conflict in July 1914 was caused by a complex coincidence of circumstances and the responsibility for this is distributed more or less equally among governments of all countries involved in the conflict. (“After its [the war] ending Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles claimed Germany the sole responsibility for the tragedy of 1914. This accusation was unjust. Taking into account the events that led to the First World War, the liability actually is distributed evenly, and the direct culprits were Vienna and Berlin.”) a. What is the source of differences in the presentation of the same problem in the three analyzed texts (Polish, German and Spanish)?
Methodological remarks: the
task can be carried out individually or in groups of two. However, the
results and conclusions should be discussed in front of the class/group. Solution to the task: the differences in presenting the same issue (responsibility for the outbreak of the First World War) result from different points of view presented by authors of respective countries. Poland joined the war not as an independent state, but occupied among others by Germany which could cause critical attitude of Polish historians to German politics of the period. By contrast, the author of the German article tries to defend the decision taken by the authorities of the German Empire in 1914. From the German point of view attributing the entire responsibility for the outbreak of the war only to their country is unjust and unfair. Spain remained neutral during the First World War which may suggest that the Spanish author would keep objectivity in assessing the reasons for the outbreak of the war. In his article, he repeated the common opinion about Germany's responsibility for the escalation of the conflict, noticing, however, also other complex reasons for the outbreak of the war. |
2 |
How do the considered German and Spanish articles show the public moods of the European societies on the eve of the outbreak of the war? How does this approach differ from the picture sketched in the Polish article?
Methodological remarks:
the task can be carried out in small groups of two or more. A group
receives the task of analysing the German or Spanish article and then
exchange their observations at the class forum.
Solution to the
task: the Spanish article mentions reluctant attitude of European
societies towards the war. However, the existence of groups of people
that pressed on the war is pointed out. The groups saw it as an
opportunity to accomplish nationalist goals and a form of strengthening
national unity. (“Generally speaking, the Europeans did not like wars.
(..) However, governments and military leaders had opposing views and
negotiations have closed all the paths that might have led to peace.
Naturally, the leaders were counting on the support of certain social
groups for which the inevitable war was considered an outlet for
tension and a form of a healthy national crusade against the enemy as
hated as barely known.”) |
3 |
How do the Polish and Spanish articles show the attitude of the nations without their own state to the war?
Methodological remarks: the task can be carried out in small groups of two. Solution to the task: The Polish article emphasizes that the Poles greeted the outbreak of the war with delight. They considered the war mainly as a chance of regaining the independence. The Spanish article more extensively discusses the attitude towards the war demonstrated by the nations without their own state (such as the Poles, the Irish and the Czechs). The development of national consciousness among these nations is indicated by the author of the article as one of the factors that have contributed to the escalation of pro-war moods before 1914. These nations were among the group that greeted the war with enthusiasm. |
4 |
Have a look at the beer advertisement from the Polish article and the caricature of King George V in the Spanish magazine. What are the functions of the humour and jokes on the subject of the war in these two figures?
Methodological remarks: the task can be carried out in small groups of two or more. - Improving the morale of the society and building a spirit of patriotism; a. Discuss in the group the following problem: how are the values associated with the military promoted today? What are the actions governments take to get public support for the military participation in international armed conflicts (such as intervention in Iraq or Afghanistan)?
Methodological remarks: the task can be carried out as group/class discussion moderated by the teacher. - Organisation of pompous parades and military reviews (e.g. the annual parade in Poland on 15th August); |
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