The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 52, July 1948 - April, 1949 Page: 476

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

first published in Edinburgh, Scotland, is devoted to the period
before the beginning of the second World War. It traces and
interprets developments from the postwar settlement to Munich
-the eve of war. The second part of the book surveys the progress
of the war from September 1, 1939, to December, 1945. This part
is a history of events which precipitated various phases of the
war, and it is not a detailed account of the actual fighting. It is
not a military history.
Kenneth Ingram makes a very important point early in his
discussion when he says that the architects of the postwar settle-
ment failed to create a new world but allowed the traditional
principles of world government to remain intact. Accordingly,
no lasting peace could be established. With this failure to estab-
lish a proper foundation upon which to build a peaceful world,
the development of an armed truce was inevitable. In discussing
the closely interrelated problems of security and disarmament,
the economic situation, and the problem of democracy the author
has done a creditable piece of work in analysis and synthesis. For
the first few years of the postwar period it appeared that peace
and even prosperity had been restored. But in fuller historic
perspective, Ingram marvels that the tragedy, so soon to material-
ize, did not cast a more perceptible shadow on the consciousness
both of politicians and statesmen. But such is the nature of most
human beings.
The economic problem is discussed from the point of view
that the postwar settlement was faulty and that any serious dis-
location would result in abnormal developments. The effect of
the world depression on events of the early thirties, such as the rise
of Hitler, is perhaps exaggerated. Believing that a change of the
social order is essential to lasting peace, Ingram overemphasizes
the role of depression. It is possible that insufficient attention is
given to other important factors which contributed to the shape
of Europe, including Russia, during the 1930's.
The last two chapters of the first half of this outline of inter-
national history are concerned with the disintegration of the
League of Nations, the disgrace of Munich, and the eve of war.
Ingram places much blame at the door of Chamberlain and his
friends. He contends with some supporting evidence that the

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