Historiography of WWI

“the history of history”1.the body of literature dealing with historical matters; histories collectively. 2. the body of techniques, theories, and principles of historical research and presentation; methods of historical scholarship. 3. the narrative presentation of history based on a critical examination, evaluation, and selection of material from primary and secondary sources and subject to scholarly criteria. 4. an official history: medieval historiographies.

Immediate Post-War Years

Germany was GUILTY!!

• “barbarous huns”• “making the world safe for democracy”

• “the war to end all wars”

1925-1940s

• 1st REVISION• imperialism• nationalism• militarism• entangling alliances• failure of governments

– “Mistakes in judgment, emotionalism, and unthinking patriotism”

– American involvement• influence of banking industry• influence of armament industry

– Nye Commission 1935-6

“Anti-Revision” Post- WWII

• German “will to war”

• German quest for territorial expansion

1960s-1970s

• general will to violence in all states

• “wag the dog” – distractions from domestic problems

Now

• Failure of Leadership

• 1st revision– militarism– nationalism– imperialism– entangling alliances