For a history class, we were instructed to read from Adam Hochschild's book To End All Wars. Coming back from a quarter abroad in London, I have been reading and seeing a lot of history centering around Britain's involvement in the World War I. The names such as Churchill and Kitchner pop frequently in typical approaches to World War I history, creating an image of strength and solidarity for Britain during the time of the war. In stark contrast to this, Hochschild presents two opposite images of Britain during the war. One was of the trials of the strong British people, people who kept calm and carried on. The other was of those who opposed the war, who demanded that peace be established. This latter perspective is often ignored by historians, or at the very least is the part that is diminshed in the classroom. Perhaps this is because the side of the anti war activist was not victorious. The fact is that World War I did occur, despite the protests from this group of British men and women. Hochschild's book is intriguing and thought provoking, not only because it sheds light on the hidden stories of the first World War, but explains how these stories are connected to one another.
The first story that Hochschild presents is one of the contrasting stories of John French, a man of the British calvary and Charlotte Despard. French was charming and well-liked among the British upperclass and his career in the military helped with his popularity. Like most upper class young men, he looked forward to the glories of war. Set against the backdrop of the British Empire, warfare was looked upon as a game, a means for displaying courage and tenacity. Hochschild goes on the describe the troubles and downfall of French, through financial problems and marital strains. This initial image of French, a typical British pre-war young upperclass man, isn't particularly interesting. Both in American and foreign accounts and histories of the Great War, this picture of young, dashing, and brave men gladly marching off to war is quite common. It wasn't until the account of Charlotte Despard that Hochschild takes up a unique take on World War I British society.
Charlotte was also of the upper class but rejected, rather than embracing, the glorious image of war. She was appalled by the treatment of the poor in the late Victorian society. She moved to Battersea and opened a community center in order to help the less fortunate. In addition, she was a vocal anti-war activist, often ignoring the rules that society had for upper class women.
It is clear that Despard and French were of polar opposite opinions when it came to the issue of war. However, at the end of this chapter, Hochschild revealed the most amazing aspect of these two stories: French and Despard were brother and sister. This connective piece of information is what really made Hochschild's approach to World War I unique and thought provoking. As he describes the loving relationship that French and Despard maintained, despite their clear differences, it makes the reader consider all of the things that they know about the events and people of World War I. This image of solidarity and unification is somewhat broken after learning of the story of French and Despard. For me, Hochschild made me rethink and ponder everything I knew about British morale during the war. This approach, looking to individuals and their stories, in my opinion is a innovative way to study history, looking at the individuals who were part of a greater event, rather than just the event itself.
The first story that Hochschild presents is one of the contrasting stories of John French, a man of the British calvary and Charlotte Despard. French was charming and well-liked among the British upperclass and his career in the military helped with his popularity. Like most upper class young men, he looked forward to the glories of war. Set against the backdrop of the British Empire, warfare was looked upon as a game, a means for displaying courage and tenacity. Hochschild goes on the describe the troubles and downfall of French, through financial problems and marital strains. This initial image of French, a typical British pre-war young upperclass man, isn't particularly interesting. Both in American and foreign accounts and histories of the Great War, this picture of young, dashing, and brave men gladly marching off to war is quite common. It wasn't until the account of Charlotte Despard that Hochschild takes up a unique take on World War I British society.
Charlotte was also of the upper class but rejected, rather than embracing, the glorious image of war. She was appalled by the treatment of the poor in the late Victorian society. She moved to Battersea and opened a community center in order to help the less fortunate. In addition, she was a vocal anti-war activist, often ignoring the rules that society had for upper class women.
It is clear that Despard and French were of polar opposite opinions when it came to the issue of war. However, at the end of this chapter, Hochschild revealed the most amazing aspect of these two stories: French and Despard were brother and sister. This connective piece of information is what really made Hochschild's approach to World War I unique and thought provoking. As he describes the loving relationship that French and Despard maintained, despite their clear differences, it makes the reader consider all of the things that they know about the events and people of World War I. This image of solidarity and unification is somewhat broken after learning of the story of French and Despard. For me, Hochschild made me rethink and ponder everything I knew about British morale during the war. This approach, looking to individuals and their stories, in my opinion is a innovative way to study history, looking at the individuals who were part of a greater event, rather than just the event itself.
