Introduction
“Hidden History: The Secret Origins of the First World War” by Gerry Docherty and Jim Macgregor challenges the widely accepted narrative of World War I’s origins. The authors argue that a secret group of British elites, referred to as the Secret Elite, orchestrated the war to advance their economic and imperialistic ambitions. This article explores the detailed arguments presented in the book, focusing on the formation and actions of the Secret Elite, the manipulation of historical evidence, and the suppression of key documents to maintain the false narrative blaming Germany.
The Formation of the Secret Elite
Establishment and Goals
The Secret Elite was formed in London in 1891 by influential figures such as Cecil Rhodes, William Stead, and Lord Esher. Their aim was to control British foreign policy, influence the United States, and expand British imperial influence globally (p. 1).
Key Members
- Cecil Rhodes: Founder and financial backer of the secret society (p. 1).
- Alfred Milner: A leading figure in British colonial policy and a key player in the Secret Elite (p. 47-50).
- Lord Nathaniel Rothschild: Influential international banker supporting the Secret Elite’s initiatives (p. 49-50).
- William T. Stead: Journalist and co-founder who later distanced himself from the group (p. 49).
- Lord Esher (Reginald Brett): Influential in royal and political circles (p. 50).
Manipulations Leading to War
Boer War
The Boer War (1899-1902) was orchestrated by the Secret Elite to gain control of the Transvaal’s gold mines. This conflict served as a template for their future actions (p. 3).
Political Influence
The Secret Elite exerted considerable influence over British politics, ensuring their members held key positions:
- Herbert Asquith: British Prime Minister heavily influenced by the Secret Elite (p. 45).
- Edward Grey: British Foreign Secretary whose diplomatic actions were manipulated to create the conditions for war (p. 50).
- David Lloyd George: Politician nurtured by the Secret Elite, known for his influence over the working classes (p. 45, 86).
Agadir Crisis
In 1911, the Agadir Crisis between Germany and France over Morocco was manipulated by the Secret Elite to increase tensions and isolate Germany (p. 13).
Key Events Leading to WWI
July 1914 Events
- 10 July 1914: Debate in the House of Commons involving Arthur Ponsonby and Joseph King, indicating tensions and improved relations with Germany (p. 4).
- 16 July 1914: Diplomatic communications about the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia, with misleading signals sent by Edward Grey and Sir Maurice de Bunsen (p. 5).
- 25 July 1914: Serbian mobilization followed by Austria’s partial mobilization against Serbia (p. 6).
- 26 July 1914: Russian Czar approves partial mobilization against Austria; French and British ambassadors reassure each other of their support (p. 15).
- 27 July 1914: Edward Grey’s diplomatic maneuvers to delay Germany’s defensive actions and present Britain as a peace broker (p. 7).
- 28 July 1914: Austria declares war on Serbia, triggering a chain reaction of mobilizations among European powers (p. 15).
The Role of the Hoover Institution
Historical Context and Significance
The Hoover Institution at Stanford University, founded by Herbert Hoover in 1919, holds extensive archives, including many documents related to World War I. According to the authors, it played a crucial role in concealing evidence about the war’s true origins (p. 57).
Key Figures and Documents
- Herbert Hoover: The institution’s founder, who had significant political and financial influence. Hoover’s connections with the Secret Elite are suggested by the authors, who argue that he played a role in the strategic relocation of crucial documents to the Hoover Institution to control the historical narrative (p. 57).
- Suppressed Evidence: Many documents that could have exonerated Germany or implicated the Secret Elite were systematically removed from European archives and stored at the Hoover Institution (p. 57).
Controlled Access
Access to these documents has been tightly controlled, preventing independent historians from examining them thoroughly. This control has enabled the perpetuation of the official narrative that places sole responsibility for the war on Germany (p. 57).
Impact on Historical Scholarship
The Hoover Institution’s control over these documents has significantly influenced historical scholarship on World War I. Prestigious historians and academic institutions have relied on the narrative shaped by the available documents, reinforcing the idea that Germany was the primary aggressor, and marginalizing revisionist historians who challenge this view (p. 57).
Post-War Manipulations and Historical Narratives
Versailles Treaty
In 1919, the Versailles Treaty placed sole blame on Germany for World War I. The authors argue that the Secret Elite manipulated and suppressed evidence to justify this verdict (p. 3).
Historians Challenging the Narrative
During the 1920s, historians like Sidney Bradshaw Fay and Harry Elmer Barnes challenged the official narrative of German war guilt, aligning with the book’s revisionist perspective (p. 30).
Controlled Historical Narratives
Institutions like Oxford University played a significant role in perpetuating the false narrative by controlling the teaching of history and the interpretation of historical documents. This control extended to academic publications and educational materials used in schools and universities (p. 63).
Impact on Historical Scholarship
The suppression of evidence and the controlled narrative significantly impacted historical scholarship on World War I. Revisionist historians who challenged the official narrative were often marginalized and their work was suppressed (p. 108).
Suppression of Evidence
Removal and Concealment of Documents
The authors claim that critical documents related to the origins of World War I were deliberately removed from European archives and hidden to support the false narrative blaming Germany (p. 57).
Censorship of Memoirs
Many memoirs of prominent figures were heavily censored, with crucial sections removed to protect the interests of the Secret Elite. This selective editing ensured that incriminating evidence about the Secret Elite’s manipulations was kept out of the public eye (p. 82).
Controlled Historical Narratives
The authors argue that prestigious institutions like Oxford University played a significant role in perpetuating the false narrative by controlling the teaching of history and the interpretation of historical documents (p. 63).
Quotes
- “Documents relating to the origins of the war were removed from Europe and taken to America to be concealed in the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.” (p. 57)
- “At the end of the war Britain, France, and the United States laid the blame squarely on Germany and took steps to remove, conceal or falsify documents and reports to justify such a verdict.” (p. 30)
- “Many memoirs of prominent figures were heavily censored, with crucial sections removed to protect the interests of the Secret Elite.” (p. 82)
- “Historians at Oxford University, notably those who controlled the teaching of history for the whole of Britain, were deeply complicit in perpetuating the myth of German guilt.” (p. 63)
- “The revisionist historians who have challenged the established narrative have often been marginalized and their work suppressed.” (p. 108)
Conclusion
“Hidden History: The Secret Origins of the First World War” argues that the accepted narrative of World War I has been deliberately falsified by a secret group of British elites. The book presents a compelling case for re-examining the origins of the war, highlighting the suppression of evidence and the manipulation of historical records to support the false narrative blaming Germany. The role of the Hoover Institution in concealing crucial documents and the controlled access to these documents significantly impacted historical scholarship, reinforcing the established narrative and marginalizing revisionist historians. This expanded summary provides a detailed exploration of the book’s arguments, supported by direct quotes and key points from the text.
