Kreuder-Sonnen’s article on bacteriologists and epidemiologists in Eastern Europe, and Poland post-World War 1 gives us insights into the dynamics of transnational history, and the changing role of science in nation-states in the early 20th century.
The Case study of Odo Bujwid provides insights into the transnationality of science during his time. Bujwid was introduced into the Robert Koch’s ‘German’ style of Bacteriology, that competed with Louis Pasteur’s French vaccination techniques. Kreuder-Sonnen notes that the competition between these was perceived to be a national one. Despite this, Bujwid’s ability to adapt to Pasteur’s techniques, allowing him to learn from him, allowed him to take his new techniques back to Warsaw, with his new vaccinations proving vital for public health. Bujwid didn’t allow national competition to interfere with his goals of scientific progress. Furthermore, he didn’t name his own work as specifically ‘Polish,’ for his goal was not national development through science, but the transnational combination of techniques to develop science and medicine further. This contrasts the dynamics post WW1, where Poland became a state, and science and medicine became a way to legitimise the nation and gain global acceptance.
Furthermore, Knotter’s work looks into transnationality of cigar makers, particularly in Europe. Knotter explores the development of the national, and how labourers, and cigar makers used international cooperation to try and aid their strikes and prevent foreign labour taking jobs. This was a key move in international cooperation and helped improve worker conditions. Moreover, we see the spread of cigar workers, and their ideas, with the circulation of cigar makers in Europe, and the permanent move of many to the states. Ideas also spread, like the infamous ‘reader,’ who was common in cigar factories.
Both these texts use a similar method. they don’t start with abstract transnational theories or ideas, but use specific groups and case studies, and follow their movements across border, with these micro-histories allowing us to spot larger patters. Thus they highlight how transnational history is harder to see from the nation state, however when we track people, ideas, and skills, it becomes clear that they are the evidence that makes transnational histories more visible.