The Bold American Journalists Who Brought the World Home Between the Wars

In the years between World War I and World War II, a new breed of American journalists emerged who used their words and images to bring the world home to their readers. These journalists, known as the "Foreign Correspondents," traveled to the far corners of the globe, risking their lives to report on the events that were shaping the world. They were the first to report on the rise of fascism in Europe, the outbreak of World War II, and the horrors of the Holocaust. Their work helped to shape American public opinion and to prepare the United States for the challenges that lay ahead.

Fighting Words: The Bold American Journalists Who Brought the World Home Between the Wars

by Nancy F. Cott

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Early Years

The first American foreign correspondents emerged in the late 19th century. These journalists were often adventurers and explorers who traveled to distant lands to report on the people and cultures they encountered. They wrote for newspapers, magazines, and books, and their work helped to broaden Americans' understanding of the world beyond their borders.

One of the most famous early foreign correspondents was Richard Harding Davis. Davis was a reporter for the New York Herald who traveled to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Balkans to cover the Spanish-American War and the First Balkan War. His dispatches from the front lines were widely read and helped to shape American public opinion about the conflicts. Davis was also a pioneer in the use of photography to illustrate his stories. His photographs of the Spanish-American War were some of the first to be published in a major American newspaper.

The Interwar Years

The years between World War I and World War II were a golden age for foreign correspondents. As the world became increasingly interconnected, there was a growing demand for news from around the globe. American newspapers and magazines hired more and more foreign correspondents to staff their bureaus in major cities around the world. These journalists covered a wide range of stories, from the rise of fascism in Europe to the outbreak of war in the Pacific.

One of the most famous foreign correspondents of the interwar years was William Shirer. Shirer was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune who covered the rise of Nazi Germany. His book, "Berlin Diary," is a classic account of life in Nazi Germany and the lead-up to World War II. Shirer also reported on the outbreak of the war and the German invasion of Poland. His dispatches from the front lines were widely read and helped to shape American public opinion about the conflict.

Another famous foreign correspondent of the interwar years was Martha Gellhorn. Gellhorn was a reporter for Collier's Weekly who covered the Spanish Civil War and World War II. She was one of the few female foreign correspondents of her time, and she often risked her life to get the story. Gellhorn's dispatches from the front lines were widely read and helped to shape American public opinion about the conflicts.

The Impact of the Foreign Correspondents

The work of the foreign correspondents had a profound impact on American public opinion and policy. Their dispatches from the front lines helped to shape Americans' understanding of the world and the challenges that it faced. Their work also helped to prepare the United States for the challenges of World War II. The foreign correspondents were the eyes and ears of the American people, and their work helped to keep the United States informed and engaged with the world.

The American foreign correspondents who covered the years between World War I and World War II were some of the most courageous and influential journalists in American history. They risked their lives to report on the events that were shaping the world, and their work helped to shape American public opinion and policy. The foreign correspondents were the eyes and ears of the American people, and their work helped to keep the United States informed and engaged with the world.

Image Credits

• Richard Harding Davis (Library of Congress)
• William Shirer (Library of Congress)
• Martha Gellhorn (Library of Congress)

Fighting Words: The Bold American Journalists Who Brought the World Home Between the Wars

by Nancy F. Cott

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	30209 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	417 pages

FREE