WorldViews. The World in Textbooks

Source

Bibliographic data

Whitcombe’s Vivid History Reader. A History of the Modern World, Specially written to meet the requirements of the Social Studies (History) course in Victorian schools. Whitcombe’s Vivid History Reader. Melbourne; Sydney: Whitcombe and Tombs, 1934, 5, 17.

"The League of Nations"

The introduction to the last volume of a series of textbooks addresses the modern world. The League of Nations was a central institution for peace-building and the prevention of further wars, conceived to bring the nations of the world together and collectively solve problems. The author stresses the importance of Australia’s role within the League of Nations and encourages pupils to also campaign for the mutual goal of world peace.

This book is part of a series of 6 books which were taught in history lessons for years 3 to 8. This particular book was for year 8. The foreword explains how the book addresses important events that took place in leading countries. The book proceeds to tell the history of the modern world and to highlight the League of Nations is being as particularly progressive.

Whitcombe and Tombs

[p. 5]

A. - THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

They pass and smile, the Children of the Sword–

No more the sword they wield.

And O, how deep the corn

Along the battlefield!

R. L. Stevenson.

A War-Weary World.– When the Treaty of Versailles was signed the Covenant setting up the League of Nations became the first chapter of a new volume of the World's history. The world was weary of war. For more than four years the greatest nations of the earth had been spending all their money and strength on destruction–on killing their fellow human beings, destroying homes and possessions, railways, factories, ships, and food supplies of all sorts. Every conceivable kind of human suffering was produced (both physical and mental) among many millions. Science had been used to develop barbarism. Many deep-thinking men and women of all countries had become convinced that if there existed an organization which could bring representatives of the different nations together to discuss matters which concerned all or most of them, then nations of the world would come to a better understanding, and disputes and wars would be avoided.

[…]

[p. 17]

Australia and the League– Australia is a member of the League. Every year we send our three delegates to the League Conference at Geneva. The cost of the League to Australia is about £35,000 a year, but compare this with the cost of war! We hold a Mandate from the League in German New Guinea, and must give an account to Geneva every year of our stewardship. If we fail, the world will know it.

The success of the League depends upon the support of all nations, including ourselves. We must not be found wanting, and our duty is to work in close co-operation with other nations of the British Empire to secure through the League peace and liberty for all. Lord Bryce has said, “If we do not end war, war will end us,” and to quote Sir J. A. Ewing: “Another war will be more than ever a duel to the death of both sides. If in the last war civilization was chastised with whips, in another great war she would be chastise with scorpions.” We must all work, then, and give the League of Nations our whole-hearted support, so that there shall not be another war of destruction. If boys and girls know what the League of Nations is, and realize its earnest endeavours to make the world a better and a happier place to live in, they will join in its great work and become League of

Nations’ Pioneers. Success must crown its efforts. “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

We travelled in the print of olden wars,

Yet all the land was green;

And Love we found and Peace

Where fire and war had been.

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