Memory Subjectivity in American and German Memoirs of World War I

Abstract

The article is devoted to the subjectivity of memoirs as a historical source. Characteristic features of individual historical memory and its changes under the influence of external factors are determined. Changes in memory processes of winners and losers are highlighted. The concept of subjectivity is analyzed in the US and German Empire militaries, politicians and public activists memoirs during World War I, based on the fact that memoirs are created already after the described actions, unlike other narratives. The author of the article compares content of memoirs of the US and German Empire personalities through the consequences caused by the war for both states. Based on the content of the studied memoirs, the article determines a number of factors that influence memoirs’ subjectivity: the author’s personal opinion and his political preference; a certain political or military faction belonging; the World War I results for the country to which the author belongs and the impact of the war on him personally; the desire to remain in the memory of descendants in a positive way. An equally important factor that affects the subjectivity of the wartime memoirs is the formation of a sense of revanchism of the defeated side. Comparing the memoirs of the US and German Empire personalities, two different approaches to the same events are determined: from the point of view of the country that was at the head of the winners and the country that was recognized as the main culprit of World War I. At the same time, the personalities of one country also don’t have a single point of view, which is a vivid example of demonstrating the subjectivity of each memoir. Authors of memoirs consciously choose which topic and in what volume they plan to develop, and what to leave on the periphery or bypass altogether.