Writing History in the Aftermath of `Relief': Some Comments on `Relief in the Aftermath of War' (Special Issue of Journal of Contemporary History July 2008)

Abstract

The studies presented in the special issue of the Journal of Contemporary History of July 2008 are certainly welcome. As recently as 2001, Gitta Sereny noted how little the work of UNRRA had been studied, despite the fact that it was the pioneer for many succeeding charitable organizations; Jessica Reinisch's collection of papers shows how this historical silence might be remedied. 1 The papers also demonstrate the many convincing reasons to study reconstruction work in postwar Europe: this was, arguably, the context in which the political enmities of the Cold War were forged, in which one internationally important nation -Germany -was rebuilt and in which a vital aspect of another nation -Israel -was formed. 2 As Reinisch notes, the episode also formed a 'testing ground' for the first postwar initiatives concerning international co-operation. 3 In addition, the eight papers show the multidimensional nature of a history of 'relief', requiring reference to the directives of great leaders, international relations, evolving social and economic policies, the dynamics of military strategy, the ideals of welfare and charity organizations and the social conditions of societies in extreme circumstances. In particular, Frank Snowden's study of Latina province could be cited as a miniature masterpiece, with its deft, keen sensitivity to the differences between German nazism and Italian fascism, its ecological and medical awareness and its contextualization within the greater narratives of Italian history. 4The authors would like to thank Fiona Reid and Patricia Clark for their useful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. 1