Think As Historian: THINK AS A HISTORIAN: EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PURPOSE IN A SOURCE

People write for a variety of purposes. Journalist Edgar Ansel Mowrer, for example, lived in Berlin in the 1930s and wrote Pulitzer-prize winning analyses on the rise of Hitler to inform the world that the transformation of Germany was far from democratic and to sound the alarm about renewed militarism. Mowrer, however, like other journalists, also wrote to express opinions. Increasingly frustrated at defeats by Communists, Mowrer expressed his opinion on why they seemed to be winning.

Explain the significance of knowing the following is an opinion piece in evaluating its usefulness as a source on the spread of communism. Identify some sentences that show it is an opinion piece.

“1. The Reds are not afraid of an atomic war. . . . Although they would

prefer to conquer without a major shooting (and H-bombing) war,

they presumably will start an atomic war if and when they see an

opportunity to do so without danger of defeat or severe damage

at home.

2. The Communists are without moral restraints. . . .At home they rule

by naked terror . . . crushing discontent silently before it becomes

rebellion. . . . They burn villages, shoot hostages, torture and ‘brain-

wash’ prisoners, and rely upon fear to break further resistance.”

3. The Communists promise something to everybody. . . .They call

war, peace; tyranny, freedom; unrestrained exploitation, social

justice. . . . No matter what you think you want—more food, a

better job, personal revenge or, particularly, a whole new world

order—the Red Pipers are ready with the promise, if not for today,

then surely for tomorrow.

4. Communists everywhere are united. . . . They are held together by

a common goal—world conquest. They think, talk, work and fight

under a common symbol—the hammer and the sickle.

5. Communists put guns before butter. . . . They coldly sacrifice the

living standards of their respective peoples to their political aims.”

“The Reds Hold Five Big Cards—But We Can

Trump Them,” Collier’s, October 29, 1954