Esperanto: Hearings before the Committee on Education

In this historic record, listeners are taken into a 1914 session of the U.S. House Committee on Education, where Representative Richard Bartholdt and Professor A. Christen argue for the inclusion of Esperanto in American schools. The dialogue captures the optimism of early 20th‑century reformers who saw a simple, universal language as a solution to the nation’s linguistic shortcomings and a bridge for international trade.

The hearing unfolds with earnest testimonies about how Esperanto, already gaining traction across Europe, could level the playing field for travelers and merchants alike. Bartholdt’s personal conviction and vivid anecdotes illustrate the appeal of an easy‑to‑learn auxiliary tongue, while the committee’s questions reveal both curiosity and skepticism.

Listeners will hear the political and educational stakes of the era, gaining insight into a moment when a modest language proposal sparked a broader conversation about America’s place in a rapidly globalizing world.