50 THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 



RACE AS A FACTOR IN INTERNATIONAL 

 RELATIONS 



Miriam E. Oatman-Blachly, 1917. 

 (Abstract) 



I. Ver}' little is definitely known concerning racial differences, 

 more particularly psychological differences. Authorities in- the fields 

 of ethnology, anthropology, biology, psychology, history, sociology, 

 etc., disagree upon all questions connected with racial variations. 

 These authorities vary ail the way from those who believe that in- 

 herent mental differences are very marked (Keane (1),* Ripley (2), 

 '■■Figures in parenthesis refer to bibliography. 



Le "Bon (3), Hoft"mann (4), Mecklin (5), Dowd (0), through 

 those who are uncertain as to the extent of sucli differences Ratzel 

 (7), Galton (S). Haberlandt (9), Thorndike (10), Ward (11), 

 Tenney (12), Giddings (13), Boas (14), Ripley (15), to those who 

 hold that such differences are slight or negligible in comparison 

 with environment Boas (16), Myers (17), Spiller (18), Thomas 

 (19), Woodworth (20).* 



II. In order to look forward with any degree of certainty to 

 the -improved world order for which so many people are hoping as 

 the outcome of the present war, it is necessary to diave more light 

 upon the physical and particularly the mental differences between 

 races, and upon the psychology and sociology of racial contacts ; 

 for the problem of race affects every possible type of international 

 agreement, and any settlement reached without giving it full and 

 scientific consideration will prove impracticable. The factor of race 

 complicates the international situation liy giving rise to the fol- 

 lowing problems : 



(a) The problem of geographical distribution and climatic 

 influences (21, 22, 2o). Upon the presence or absence of certain 

 physical qualities of endurance, resistance, pigmentation, etc., may 

 rest the geographical distribution of large masses of men. There is 

 a considerable difference of opinion among authorities as to the 

 ability of white men to live in the tropics even under the best san- 

 itary conditions. If the future should prove that Major AVoodruff 

 is correct in -his contention that "the bl'ack man should be within 



25 or 30 degrees of the Equator the olive flourishes best at 



35 to 45 degrees, etc., it is entirely conceivable that there may be 

 in time a fairly well defined racial grouping according to latitude. 



*Owing to varying opinions expressed at different times, it has 

 been necessary to include certain authorities in more than one 

 group. 



