Birth of a Historian

Although it has been many years since I have read Paris 1919, and most of the facts have now escaped my memory, I still vividly remember the sensation it inspired in me. This was the first work of history that I ever read by a real historian, at a time when I was still trying to figure out exactly what to study at university. I remember feeling as though the words were speaking to me by showing me what path to pursue. As I read chapter after chapter, Paris demonstrated to me the transitive powers of history--the ability to step back in time and experience life in another time and place. Through MacMillan's words I was able to travel back to Paris in 1919 and experience life at the peace conference.

I was also introduced to a different type of history from what I had been exposed to in high school. This history did not focus on names and dates (although they were present) but instead on what the meaning behind facts were. Instead of prattling off a factual chronology of the various meetings and treaties, Paris sought to get underneath the facts and expose the often conflicting motives of not just the countries, but the individual delegates and leaders representing those countries. It was this personalization that allowed me to feel like I could really comprehend what was going on, and relate to the various characters being represented.

Understanding the motivations behind the delegates' actions, the obstacles they faced in meeting their goals, and the often difficult compromises they had to make, is ultimately what allows the reader to truly feel as though she is walking the conference in each of the representatives' shoes. The importance of this isn't just that it makes for a great read, it also leads to a better appreciation of the importance of the conference as a pinnacle event in world history. The lines that were re-drawn on the maps of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, along with the terms slapped on the losing nations, set the tone of international relations for years to come. Comprehending the successes and failures of the Paris conference ideally will help us to replicate the successes and avoid the failures in future conferences, just as Paris sought to improve upon its predecessor, the Congress of Vienna.

And thus emerges the practical purpose behind the study of history, and another reason why I was so drawn to the book. While knowledge for the sake of knowledge is noble in and of itself, unfortunately societies today tend to prefer disciplines that produce tangible results such as science and engineering. However, the unique perspective history provides can allow us to not only understand the past, but gain insight into present society, and hopefully, provide the requisite enlightenment to improve the future. By stepping into the past, we can learn how we got to where we are now and how we can work to build a better future. In the case of Paris, the message is about the nationalistic tensions that arose from poorly drawn borders, broken promises, and harsh reparations. Although Paris demonstrated that in most situations the intentions were honorable (or at least relateable), it also illustrated how good intentions can turn bad when based on poorly formulated premises. Many of the mistakes made have not been repeated, but in several cases, unfortunately bad habits die hard. Ultimately, the importance of understanding history, and embracing it's message, is not just what it teaches us, but what we do with what we learn.