No More Learning

S. R. With a committee of three other members of the class, pre-
pare a radio interview in which you act as Stalin, and the others as
questioners. The scripts, by means of questions and answers, should
explain the origin and purposes of the Communist International, some
of its activities, and the reasons for its official ending. References:
Vernadsky, A History of Russia; Dean, Vera, Rusia at War.
8. During the present war, Japanese boats, manned by Japanese- sailors,
are guiding American ships laden with Lend-Lease supplies for the
U. S. S. R. , safely into the Soviet port of Vladivostok. How can this
situation exist, when the supplies are to be used against Japan's ally,
Germany?
Write answers to the following questions:
a. Under what agreement is this activity carried on?
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages in 1944 of the
existing relationship between Japan and the U. S. S. R. ?
c. How could the U. S. S. R. , at peace with Japan (with whom the
United States was at war) and the United States, at peace with
Finland (with whom the U. S. S. R. was at war), sign a common
declaration in regard to the carrying on of World War II in
January, 1944? References: Dallin, Soviet Russia's Foreign
Policy, 1939-1942, pp. 391-393-
9. Choose one of the following historic events in the history of relations
between the United States and Russia, and write as thorough and
interesting a report as you can, being sure that it covers the follow-
ing points:
a. What was the feeling of each country toward the other, and
in what ways was it shown?
b. Why did each country feel and act as it did at the time of:
1. the American Revolution when Catherine the Great was
ruler of Russia.
2. the attempt of the United States through its first envoy
to Russia, Francis Dana of Massachusetts, to obtain
recognition of the young republic at the court of the
Tsars.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 75
3. the 26-year period from 1783-1809 when the United States
endeavored to obtain formal recognition by Russia.
4. the freedom of the seas issue during the Napoleonic Wars.
5. the War of 1812.
6. the Crimean War, 1856.
7. the American Civil War, 1861-1865.
8. the purchase of Alaska, 1867.
9. the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905.
References: Dulles, Foster R. , The Road to Teheran, Chapter I, "The
Common Cause" and subsequent chapters regarding special events;
Vernadsky, A History of Russia.
Some Suggestions for General Activities:
1. Read Irina Skariatina's The First To Go Back to get a picture of
Soviet Russia through the eyes of one who had lived in Tsarist Russia.
If you would like to read a book on the pre-revolutionary era, read
Grand Duchess Marie's Education of a Princess.
9. Display on the bulletin board striking headlines, book jackets, cartoons,
maps, and pictures related to each major phase of the topics of study
about the U. S. S. R.
3. Find some story on Russia in the daily press which has some significance
for an important aspect of Soviet life. Discuss the implications of it.
4. Lewis Gannett says, "It is not a pretty fact, but it is a fact, that no
reports of Soviet factories, kindergartens, or any of the Soviets' 'social'
advances have aroused a tithe of the sympathy in America which has
been stirred by the indisputable achievements of Russia's Red Army. "
As preparation for a class discussion, read Walter Duranty's USSR,
pp. 122-123, wherein he examines the reasons for American anti-
Soviet prejudices.
5. Collect from two or more newspapers for a period of one week as
many cartoons as you can depicting the Soviet Union. Turn these over
to a committee to decide the type of appeal that each makes. From
this analysis, list the main arguments being used, making sure to draw
up separate lists for opposing points of view. You may wish to arrange
a showing of these cartoons, and to present a report to the class.
6. If you are interested in a book about Russia at the height of the German
attack, read Erskine Caldwell's book, All Out on the Road to Smolensk.
The description of a tank battle is one you will be likely to remember.
Write a few paragraphs telling why you would or would not recom-
mend this book to your classmates.
7. Arrange for some able person who has visited Russia to meet with
the class. Explain to him that you will not expect him to make a
formal address, but that you would like to ask him some questions
on things he observed in the Soviet Union.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Make a poster illustrating what you consider to be the outstanding
features of the U. S. S. R.
Read Walter Duranty's USSR, pp. 53-64, on the "Hostile Circle. " Pre-
pare to discuss this chapter in class, considering particularly the impli-
cations for us today.
Trace the relations between Russia and the United States from 1724
to 1944. Write a paper describing these relations, and discussing the
outlook for American-Soviet relations in the future. (For reference,
see Vernadsky, History of Russia, and Davies, Mission to Moscow; also
last two chapters in Williams, The Russians. )
Book Review.
a. Choose, for a review, one of the books suggested in the student
list. As you read, note carefully any incidents which reveal
interesting things about Soviet life today.
b. Write a book review including these items:
(1) Two incidents showing interesting aspects of Soviet life,
(*) Values of the book in helping you to understand the
Soviet Union.
Throughout the study of the Soviet Union, it is suggested that appre-
ciation of many geographic and historic similarities, comparisons and
parallels between Russia and the United States, based upon fact, and
non-controversial, may be developed through activities. A few sugges-
tions of subject matter for such activities are:
Geography:
Size and location: the U. S. A. and the U. S. S. R. unusually large
countries, both with coastlines allowing for Atlantic and Pacific
shipping.
Resources: vast natural resources; items to be imported, or arti-
fically developed, similar.
Climate: unusual variations in climate in both countries.
Peoples:
Large numbers of nationalities, races and religions among the
peoples of the U. S. A. and the UJS. S. R.
History:
Peaceful relations with Russia throughout America's entire history.
Friendly acts of Russia toward America during the American
Revolution.
The interesting parallel between the fact that in the early years
of American national existence, Russia was the last of the great
powers to recognize the new revolutionary government, and a
century and a half later, America was the last great power to
recognize the new revolutionary government of Russia.
Mutual viewpoint concerning freedom of the seas during Napo-
leonic Wars.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 77
American refusal to join in intervention against Russia during the
Crimean War.
Moral support of Russia during American Civil War.
The emancipation of the Russian serfs in 1863 and freeing of
Negro slaves in America, 1865.
Circumstances surrounding the purchase of Alaska by the United
States in 1867.
The westward movement in America; the eastward movement in
Russia.
American famine relief to Russia in early twentieth century and
in 1920's.
The following references are suggested:
Dulles, Foster R. , The Road to Teheran, Chapter I, "The Common
Cause. "
Pares, Bernard, Russia and the Peace, Chapter XIX, "Russia and
America. "
Sorokin, Pitirim A. , Russia and the United States.
Schuman, Frederick Lewis, American Policy Toward Russia Since 191J,
Chapter I, "The Tradition of Russian-American Friendship. "
Selected Annotated Bibliography
Although, at present, text materials on the Soviet Union for
school use are limited, reading matter on the subject is extensive
and constantly growing. The following book list is necessarily
merely suggestive.
Objectivity in writing concerning Soviet Russia is not easy of
achievement; all authors, it may be understood, are expressing a
point of view. Because of changing conditions in the Soviet
Union, dates of publication are of special significance.
Book titles preceded by a "T" are recommended for teachers.
An "S" indicates books which may be used with profit both by
students and teachers. Books marked "T*" are suitable for the
use of both teachers and mature students.
T* Anderson, Paul B. , People, Church and State in Modern Russia, Mac-
millan Co. , N. Y. 1944.
An examination of the status of religion, stressing the viewpoint
of the Orthodox Church. A well-written, useful reference.
S Bourke-White, Margaret, Eyes on Russia, Simon and Schuster, N. Y. ,
Interesting narrative, accompanied by pictures taken during a
trip in the summer of 1930. Shows industrial progress.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 78 MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
S Bourke-White, Margaret, Shooting the Russian War, Simon and
Schuster, N. Y. , 1942.
A description of Russia at war, written in simple, appealing
language. Well illustrated.
S Caldwell, Erskine, All-Out On The Road To Smolensk, Duell, Sloar
and Pearce, N. Y. , 1942.
Excellent account of the German invasion, and the attack or
Moscow.
T Callcott, Mary Stevenson, Russian Justice, Macmillan Co. , N. Y. , 1935.
A well-documented study of the treatment of criminals, and the
Soviet theory of crime.
T* Carroll, Wallace, We're In This With Russia, Houghton Mifflin Co. ,
Boston, 1942.
Impressions of a correspondent on the basis of experiences in the
Soviet Union, 1939-1941.
T Chamberlin, William Henry, Soviet Russia, Little, Brown and Co. ,
Boston, 1930.
A critical analysis of the history of the Soviet Union on the basis
of seven years' residence in Russia as a journalist.
T , The Russian Enigma, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1943.
An interpretation of the Soviet Union by one who lived there
during the early days of industrialization. Not as objective as
some of Chamberlin's other books.
T* Childs, John L. , and Counts, George S. , America, Russia, and the
Communist Party, John Day Co. , N. Y. , 1943.
Frank statement of the necessity of post-war collaboration between
the United States and the Soviet Union.
S Cressey, George B. , Asia's Land and Peoples, McGraw-Hill Book Co. ,
Inc. , N. Y. , 1944.
An excellent economic geography. Good maps and illustrations.
Highly recommended.
S Curie, Eve, Journey Among Warriors, Doubleday, Doran and Co. ,
Inc. , N. Y. , 1943.
An intimate picture of the Russian fighting front, as well as de-
scriptions of other fronts. A vivid, readable account.
T Dallin, David J. , Soviet Russia's Foreign Policy, Yale University Press,
New Haven, 1942.
A detailed account of the foreign policy of the Soviet Union from
1939-1942 by one who was a political exile from Russia from
, 1911-1917.
S Davies, Joseph E? Mission to Moscow, Simon and Schuster, N. Y. ,
1942.
The American ambassador to the U. S. S. R. from 1936-1938 gives
extracts from his diary, confidential reports and personal letters
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 79
depicting developments of internal and foreign policy in the
Soviet Union.
Davies, Raymond Arthur and Steiger, Andrew, Soviet Asia, The
Dial Press, N. Y. , 1942.
Excellent account of economic development in Soviet Asia, with
a clear analysis of the importance of Siberia in world affairs.
Dulles, Foster Rhea, Road to Teheran, Princeton University Press,
Princeton, New Jersey, 1944.
The story of American-Russian relations from 1781 to 1943.
Duranty, Walter, USSR, J. B. Lippincott and Co. , N. Y. , 1944.
A readable and objective explanation of events from 1917 through
1943-
Eastman, Max, Artists in Uniform, Alfred A. Knopf, N. Y. , 1934.
A hostile critic of the Soviet Union reviews the status of arts and
letters. , The End of Socialism in Russia, Little, Brown and Co. , Bos-
ton, 1937.
An attempt to show the failure of Marxian Socialism in the
Soviet Union.
Fediaevsky, Vera, and Hill, Patty Smith, Nursery School and Parent
Education in Soviet Russia, E. P. Dutton and Co. , Inc. , N. Y. , 1936.
A detailed description of nursery schools written by one who
helped develop them in the Soviet Union, and edited by an
American educator who has visited nursery schools there.
Felsen, Gregor, Struggle is Our Brother, E. P. Dutton and Co. , Inc. ,
N. Y. , 1943.
An appealing and exciting story of the resistance of Russian
guerillas against the Nazis.
Fischer, Louis, The Soviets in World Affairs, 2 vols. , Jonathan Cape
and Harrison Smith, N. Y. , 1930.
Detailed historical account of the foreign relations of the Soviet
Union from 1917 to 1930.
Fischer, Markoosha, My Lives In Russia, Harper and Bros. , N. Y. ,
1944-
An extremely well-told, interesting account of personal experi-
ences in the Soviet Union, written by the wife of Louis Fischer,
American journalist. The author's faith in the Soviets was badly
shaken by the purges, and her disillusionment was completed by
the Nazi-Soviet pact.
Gorky, Maxim, Mother, D. Appleton and Co. , N. Y. , 1907.
A novel of a son and mother who rebelled against their existence
of hardship and poverty in old Russia.
Graebner, Walter, Round Trip to Russia, J. B. Lippincott Co. , N. Y. ,
? 943-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 80 MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
An excellent book on Russia at war, and a real aid in promoting
understanding of the strength of the Soviets.
S Graves, William S. , America's Siberian Adventure, 191&-1920, Peter
Smith, N. Y. , 1941.
The story of the operations of the American expeditionary force
in Siberia from 1918-1920, told by the major-general of the
United States army who was in charge.
S Grossman, Vassili, No Beautiful Nights, Soviet Russia Today, N. Y. ,
1944-
A popular war novel in the Soviet Union. The story of a Red
Army unit by a war correspondent.
T* Halle, Fannina, Women in the Soviet East, E. P. Dutton and Co. ,
Inc. , N. Y. , 1938.
Descriptions of the customs affecting women in the various nation-
ality groups, and the changes brought by the Soviet regime.
T Harper, Samuel N. , Government of the Soviet Union, D. Van Nos-
trand Co. , Inc. , N. Y. , 1938.
A detailed, objective description of the government and adminis-
tration of the Soviet Union.
T Hecker, Julius F. , Moscow Dialogues, Chapman and Hall, Ltd. , Lon-
don, 1933.
Discussion, in dialogue form, of the development of the philoso-
phy of Communism, its sources and problems.
S Hindus, Maurice, Humanity Uprooted, Jonathan Cape and Harri-
son Smith, N. Y. , 1929.
Vivid account of the early years after the Revolution by a native
of Russia who left the country during the Revolution and re-
turned in 1923.
S , Mother Russia, Doubleday, Doran and Co. , Inc. , Garden
City, N. Y. , 1942.
An objective analysis of the development of the Soviet Union
from 1917 to 1942.
S Ilin, M. , Black on White: The Story of Books, 1932.
--: , Turning Night into Day: the Story of Lightning, 1936.
, What Time Is It? The Story of Clocks, 1932.
J. B. Lippincott Co. , Philadelphia.
An excellent series of books for children.
T* Johnson, Hewlett, The Dean of Canterbury, Soviet Power, Interna-
tional Publishers, N. Y. , 1940.
A clergyman's analysis of the causes underlying the development of
the Soviet Union.
T Keeton, George W. , and Schlesinger, Rudolf, Russia and Her Western
Neighbors, Jonathan Cape, Ltd. , Toronto, 1942.
An interpretation by English authors of Soviet Union foreign
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 81
policy from 1917 to June, 1941. Includes a penetrating one-
chapter analysis of the bases of Soviet foreign policy.
Kennel, R. E. , Factory Train to Soviet Asia, D. C. Heath and Co. ,
N. Y.
A book for students, to be published in 1945.
King, Beatrice, Changing Man: The Education System of the
V. S. S. R. , Viking Press, N. Y. , 1937.
A survey of the organization and administration of education in
the U. S. S. R. , with particular emphasis upon the elementary and
secondary schools.
Kohn, Hans, Nationalism in the Soviet Union, George Routledge and
Sons, Ltd.