Amen to That
John Bright declared it was time stop fighting wars around the world for ‘British interests’.
January 13 1878
Queen Victoria 1837-1901
John Bright declared it was time stop fighting wars around the world for ‘British interests’.
January 13 1878
Queen Victoria 1837-1901
On January 13th, 1878, John Bright MP assured his constituents in Birmingham that reports of an imminent Russian invasion of Europe were utter delusion. Some in the Commons said that sending troops to aid Turkey in the Russo-Turkish War (now a year old) was in the ‘British interest’, but Bright reminded them how the Crimean War in 1853-56 had achieved nothing but a million dead young men.
The arguments were the same then exactly as they are now. The falsehoods were the same. The screechings and howlings of a portion of the press were just about the same. But the nation now — and if nations learned nothing, how long could they be sustained? — has learned something, and it has risen above this. I am persuaded that there is a great difference of opinion as to Russian policy in the main, or Turkish policy in this war, and men may pity especially the suffering on the one side or the suffering on the other — for my share I pity the sufferings of both sides, — and whatever may be our differences of opinion, I think it is conclusively proved that the vast bulk of all the opinion that is influential in this country upon this question leads to this — that the nation is for a strict and rigid neutrality throughout this war.
It is a painful and terrible thing to think how easy it is to stir up a nation to war. Take up any decent history of this country from the time of William III until now — for two centuries, or nearly so — and you will find that wars are always supported by a class of arguments which, after the war is over, the people find were arguments they should not have listened to.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Which side, Russia or Turkey, did Bright express sympathy for in this speech?
Neither, or both: he was for neutrality.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
The press wanted war with Russia in 1853. They wanted war with Russia in 1878. They used the same arguments.
See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.
IBefore. IIChange. IIIJustify.