"1683-1920": The Fourteen Points and What Became of Them—Foreign Propaganda in the Public Schools—Rewriting the History of the United States—The Espionage Act and How It Worked—"Illegal and Indefensible Blockade" of the Central Powers—1,000,000 Victims of Starvation—Our Debt to France and to Germany—The War Vote in Congress—Truth About the Belgian Atrocities—Our Treaty with Germany and How Observed—The Alien Property Custodianship—Secret Will of Cecil Rhodes—Racial Strains in American Life—Germantown Settlement of 1683 and a Thousand Other Topics

In Short

This book serves as a fiercely contrarian retrospective on the First World War and the state of the American identity in its immediate aftermath. Through a sprawling collection of essays, historical vignettes, and critical commentaries, the author disputes the prevailing consensus regarding German "atrocities" and the necessity of the American intervention. By emphasizing the long-standing cultural and political contributions of German-Americans, the text functions as both a defense of a maligned heritage and an urgent warning against the perceived "Anglicization" of American schools, press, and government policy.

The Story

The narrative begins with a sharp critique of the intellectual climate following the armistice. The author argues that the American public, having been subjected to an intensive campaign of "foreign propaganda," has lost sight of its own traditions. The opening arc focuses on the mechanisms of this alleged influence, citing the efforts of British figures like Lord Northcliffe to infiltrate the American educational system and the press. By framing the wartime suppression of dissent—specifically the Espionage Act—as a betrayal of foundational American principles like free speech, the text establishes a central tension: the struggle between a native, independent American identity and a subordinate, pro-British alignment.

As the argument progresses, the focus shifts to the historical record. The author seeks to dismantle the demonization of the Central Powers by revisiting the legal and moral justifications for the war. Key episodes, such as the sinking of the Baralong and the realities of the British blockade, are presented to counter the image of German inhumanity. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to re-evaluating the historical ties between Germany and the United States, pointing to George Bancroft’s assessments of Prussian friendship and the long-standing, liberal treaty of 1799 as evidence that the two nations were natural, if not destined, allies.

The final segments of the book move from global politics to the domestic sphere, focusing on the "racial strains" in American life. The author highlights the substantial, often overlooked, role of German immigrants in the nation’s founding and its preservation during the Civil War. By showcasing statistics on German-American military service and economic contributions, the narrative attempts to prove that the "Anglo-Saxon" influence in American life is an overstated construct. The story concludes on a note of alarm, warning that the "secret will" of figures like Cecil Rhodes, combined with the influence of wealth and media, is actively erasing the diverse, non-English origins of American liberty. The author calls for a reclamation of the country’s independent path, urging the reader to reject the narratives being taught in schools in favor of a more critical, decentralized understanding of American history.

How It Unfolds

The critique of propaganda The text opens by documenting the systematic efforts of British agents to reshape American public opinion. It outlines how the "mobilization" of the press, church, and cinema was designed to ensure America favored the Allied cause.

The defense of German-American legacy The middle chapters pivot to historical evidence of German-American loyalty. The author uses census data and military records from the Civil War to argue that these citizens were central to the nation's survival, challenging the contemporary erasure of their contributions.

The legal and ethical disputes The final sections address the specific grievances of the war, including the "illegal" blockade and the violation of treaties. The author contrasts these events with the supposed "ideals" of the Fourteen Points, suggesting the latter were a mere facade for geopolitical expansion.

The People

George Bancroft emerges as a central, authoritative figure, representing the intellectual bridge between the 19th-century American political establishment and the author’s preferred view of Germany. His letters serve as a foundational anchor for the book’s argument that Germany was once considered a more natural ally than England.

General Peter Muhlenberg serves as the personification of the ideal, assimilated, and patriotic German-American. His leadership during the Revolutionary War is used to challenge the narrative that the United States is fundamentally an "Anglo-Saxon" project.

The President (Woodrow Wilson) and his advisors, particularly Colonel House, are depicted as the primary antagonists. They are presented as men who, despite their rhetoric of liberty, were willing to sacrifice domestic freedom and historical truth to ensure a victory for the Allied cause and a post-war order subservient to British interests.

Cecil Rhodes acts as the shadowy architect of the global shift. His vision of a unified English-speaking world, as documented in his will, serves as the ultimate "proof" that the American government’s alignment with Britain was a deliberate, long-term project rather than a natural outcome of history.

In Its Own Voice

The assertion that “all men are created equal” was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain and it was placed in the Declaration not for that, but for future use.

The author quotes Abraham Lincoln to argue that the nation's founders intended the Declaration of Independence to be a permanent, active barrier against future tyranny.

If we need the solid, trusty good will of any government in Europe, we can have it best with Germany; because German institutions and ours most resemble each other.

The author cites the historian George Bancroft to justify the claim that American and German national interests were historically aligned.

I don’t blame you for the submarine business. I’d have done the same myself, only our idiots in England wouldn’t believe it when I told ‘em.

The author provides a letter from Admiral Fisher to von Tirpitz to suggest that the "atrocities" of submarine warfare were simply a pragmatic military tactic, understood by both sides.

What It's Really About

The central argument is that the American identity is not a monolithic Anglo-Saxon inheritance, but a pluralistic creation that was intentionally compromised by wartime hysteria and foreign influence. The book asks a fundamental question: who owns the history of the United States? It posits that by allowing a single, pro-British narrative to dominate the educational and political systems, the nation has effectively disenfranchised millions of citizens and betrayed its own revolutionary origins. The work is a plea for historical revisionism, demanding that the contributions of the German-American demographic be restored to the national consciousness to balance a distorted, one-sided view of World War I.

Why Read It Today

This book remains a fascinating, if challenging, document for those interested in the history of information warfare and ethnic identity in America. Readers will find it a jarring, transparent look at the "America First" sentiments and the deep-seated grievances of the German-American community in the post-war era. It is an unapologetic, intense, and polemical work that captures the atmosphere of a time when the loyalty of immigrants was under constant, aggressive scrutiny.

However, the reader should be prepared for its density. The prose is often disjointed, moving rapidly between statistical tables, historical letters, and political commentary. The author’s biases are front and center, and his frustration with the political administration of the 1910s is palpable on every page. It is not an easy, breezy read, but rather a dense compendium of evidence designed to overwhelm the reader with facts, figures, and historical citations. For a reader today, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly historical narratives can be crafted—and how fiercely some will fight to reclaim them. It is a work for those who wish to understand the "underground" intellectual currents that existed in opposition to the mainstream American wartime consensus.