A School History of the Great War | Page 6

the world,
and its democratic institutions are firmly rooted in the hearts of the
people. It has been compelled to face German militarism by erecting a
system of universal military training. The patriotism and self-sacrifice

of all classes during the Great War have been beyond praise.
GREAT BRITAIN.--During the nineteenth century Great Britain did
not experience any of the sudden revolutions which appeared in nearly
every other country of Europe. For centuries England, Scotland, and
Ireland had possessed representative institutions. When reforms were
needed, they were adopted gradually, by the natural process of
lawmaking, instead of resulting from rebellion and revolt. In this way
Great Britain had been changed from an aristocratic government to one
founded on democratic principles. By 1884 the suffrage was nearly as
extensive as in the United States. Parliament became as truly
representative of the people's will as our American Congress.
Far-reaching social reforms were adopted which advanced the general
welfare. Among these reforms were acts for improving housing
conditions, regulating hours of labor and use of machinery in factories,
and establishing a national insurance system, old-age pensions, and
compensation to injured workmen.
Great Britain was the first nation to experience the advantages and
disadvantages of the new age of coal and iron, and the new methods of
factory production. Her wealth and commerce grew at a rapid rate, and
she invested her profits in enterprises in many parts of the world. The
factory system drew so many workers from the farms, that Great
Britain no longer raised sufficient food for her population. She became
dependent upon the United States, Australia, South America, and other
lands for wheat, meat, and other necessaries of life. Her merchant
vessels were to be found in all parts of the world; and her navy was
increased from year to year to protect her commerce and colonies.
From now on it became evident that England's existence depended
upon her ships. If in time of war she lost control of the seas the enemy
could starve her into submission. Hence during the nineteenth century
Great Britain's policy was to maintain a fleet stronger than that of any
possible combination against her.
England's colonial system had been developed into a great empire.
Principles of English liberty and representative government were
carried by Britishers to many parts of the world. The American

Revolution showed the mother country that Englishmen would not
brook oppression even by their own king and parliament. During the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries England adopted the policy of
erecting her colonies into self-governing communities. Thus the
separate colonies in Canada, in Australia, and in South Africa were
grouped in each case into a federal government, somewhat similar to
that of the United States, and three great British democracies were
formed within the boundaries of the empire. So successful has been the
British system of colonial government that there has been virtually no
question of loyalty during the Great War. All parts of the dominions
have contributed in men and money to the common cause, and frequent
imperial war conferences have been held in London. In these
conferences representatives from the colonies and the mother country
have joined in the discussion of important imperial questions.
TURKEY AND THE BALKANS.--In 1453 the Turks captured
Constantinople. Thereafter their power was rapidly extended in
southeastern Europe and for several centuries they were the dominant
power in the Balkan peninsula. During this time they overran Hungary
and invaded Austria up to the walls of Vienna. They subjugated Greece
and all the lands now included in Serbia, Roumania, Bulgaria, Albania,
as well as a number of near-by Austrian, Hungarian, and Russian
provinces.
Many diverse races were included within the Turkish dominions. They
differed among themselves in language, religion, and culture. The
Turks were Mohammedans, while their subject peoples in Europe were
mainly Christians belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church.
First driven out of Hungary and Russia during the eighteenth century,
the Turks lost nearly all their European possessions in the nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries. The subject peoples had kept their
national traditions and customs and from time to time they aimed at
independence. The Turkish rule was oppressive and at times its
methods were barbarous. If there had been no jealousies among the
great European powers, it is probable that Russia would have occupied
Constantinople long ago. The other powers, fearing this might make

Russia too strong, interfered on several occasions to prevent such an
occupation. But the powers could not prevent the smaller nationalities
from attaining their independence from Turkey. Greece, Serbia,
Roumania, Bulgaria, and Albania were freed from the rule of the
"unspeakable Turk" and erected into independent kingdoms at various
times between 1829 and 1913. Of her great empire in Europe, Turkey
retained, at the outbreak of the Great War, an area of less than 11,000