The ways in which the "internal" reform ideas of mathematics educators in the period 1890-1940 interacted with the "external" reform ideas present in the general curriculum field are discussed. Using the interest groups identified by Kliebard (i.e., humanists, developmentalists, social efficiency educators, and social meliorists), the growing crisis in mathematics education in the years leading up to World War II is described, with extensive quotations from leaders of the day. It is suggested that the response of mathematics educators to the interaction of external and internal reform ideas provides valuable perspective for present-day mathematics educators. Based on this perspective, responses of mathematics educators to the present "crisis" in education are evaluated. (Author/MNS)