Partial inventory of the Arnold Joseph Toynbee miscellaneous papers
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2009
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Stanford University
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Title: Arnold Joseph Toynbee miscellaneous papers
Date (inclusive): 1921-1950
Collection Number: 25006
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1 folder, 7 phonorecords
(0.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Transcripts of letters from Arnold and Rosalind Toynbee to relatives and friends in England, 1921-1923, relating to their
observations of conditions in Greece and Turkey during the Greco-Turkish War; and sound recordings of speeches by Arnold Toynbee
in San Francisco and at Stanford University, 1950, relating to the prospects for Western civilization. Digital version of
sound recordings available.
Creator:
Toynbee, Arnold, 1889-1975
Creator:
Toynbee, Rosalind
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1925.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Arnold Joseph Toynbee miscellaneous papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library
& Archives.
Biographical Note
British historian.
Scope and Content of Collection
Transcripts of letters from Arnold and Rosalind Toynbee to relatives and friends in England, 1921-1923, relating to their
observations of conditions in Greece and Turkey during the Greco-Turkish War; and sound recordings of speeches by Arnold Toynbee
in San Francisco and at Stanford University, 1950, relating to the prospects for Western civilization. Digital version of
sound recordings available.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Sound recordings
Greece -- History
Greco-Turkish War, 1921-1922
Civilization, Western
Turkey -- History
onsite digital
Sound recording of Toynbee speech made in Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University, Stanford, California
1950 October 19
Conditions Governing Access note
Use copy reference number: 25006_a_0001705
Scope and Contents note
Toynbee states his ancestors would say history makes sense because one can see the will of God in history. However, other
events challenge this Christian assumption. The study of natural law has produced a philosophy of this law existing on its
own, not as handed down from God. Cycles play an important role in life. Wars occur in a cycle, business goes through booms
and busts, and the generational cycle is important to changes of nationalities. (3 discs)
onsite digital
Sound recording of Toynbee speech made in Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University, Stanford, California
1950 October 20
Conditions Governing Access note
Use copy reference number: 25006_a_0001706
Scope and Contents note
On how the West sees itself as a cohesive body; it's not "we" Americans, "we" Briton, or "we" Germans, but "we" Westerners.
Toynbee on the path toward a world government, formalizing this new identity. He sees the Christian tradition as a tying bond.
He also compares the world to the Roman Empire. (2 discs)
onsite digital
Sound recording of Toynbee speech to the Commonwealth Club: "Is Our Civilization on the Way Out?"
1950 October 20
Conditions Governing Access note
Use copy reference number: 25006_a_0002896
Scope and Contents note
Toynbee speaks about the changes Western society needs to make in order to stay relevant and resist communism. He believes
the West needs to be both (a) more than national-minded and (b) more religious minded. He believes countries should submit
its sovereignty to a world power, no matter how terrible, if it can prevent another world war. He relates Islam to communism
and how both are rooted in Western civilization and a continuation of institutions gone wrong. He concludes by pondering the
rights of the individual vs. society, saying the Western stance is a paradox as the communist view is more noble and selfless.
(2 discs)
