Intro from book:
We have not attempted to carry out any stereotyped idea of a text book in Civics. Our aim has been to give the child of the upper grammar grades such an understanding of his relation to other people as will make him a good citizen. That understanding can come only with a knowledge of the difficulties the human race has had in learning to live and work together. An appreciation of the advantages to him of the present stage of cooperation can be gained only with a knowledge of the slow and patient steps which have brought us to that stage. A zeal for carrying the human race still further forward in its ability to live and work together can be inspired in the hearts of all our children only when the advantages of the present and the future are made to stand out against the disadvantages of the past. It is faith that we all need; and by faith we mean the belief that we can bring to pass the good we desire for the human race.