Summary Of The Trader's War By John Reed

In “the Trader’s War”, John Reed gives his main reason for being against the war in general, and why the U.S should not become involved. He describes how the war began even before it was formally declared, and calls it a “clash of traders” (74). He simplifies it as the German’s wanting to achieve more economically as others before them already have done so, but the ones at large, England and France, do not want to share (76). In doing so, he declares the hypocrisy of the war, those who claim to spread peace, but are only out to make more profit for themselves. As for America getting involved, he declares the propaganda spread is an utter lie, that the U.S is not getting involved in an US or THEM war; democracy against militarism is not at stake as they would have the people believe rather it is a war founded on “commercial rivals” (77). In his writings, Reed describes many scenes, that radiate his anti-war sentiments, and invoke the same sense in readers. In “With the Allies”, Reed describes young French men about to go off and be trained. Despite the celebration going on, Reed writes in a
He describes the savaged buildings, torn by artillery and the markings of having been previously engulfed in flames. He describes to readers how he and companions felt passing seeing it all, and how those whom had survived must have left and made plans to stay far away. However, he is proven wrong when told despite the horrors of the war, the people returned within days and stayed with friends until they had a chance to fix and renew what had been lost. He is clearly inspired by this as shares with readers, “Even the most complete and intentional destruction…had not been able to obliterate this one small village (87).” Readers, while horrified by what he described of the place find hope in the determination of the people to not be defeated, thriving in the face of