World War One through the eyes of those who fought it
Theme
Do the governments of fighting countries have the responsibility to control the types of things soldiers have to go through during battles?
Phrased in a different way should those countries be like the official in a boxing match- making sure there are no punches below the belt?
Intro: As we have discussed in class, History is about people- not just names and dates.- I want you to see things from the perspective of these people. For World War One I want you to "step into their shoes"
Task: You will be visiting www.youtube.com
Once you reach youtube, do a search for World War One. You will find dozens of different videos,
1. Watch a couple of them to get a feeling for the types of images you will be seeing. Make sure the videos and information they are providing is accurate (i.e. the Nazi's were not in WW1).
2. You are now to take on the "role" of a soldier fighting in the war.
3. As a "soldier" you are to write a letter home to your friends and family describing what you have seen and how you feel about what you have seen. This letter should be at least three paragraphs long- REMBEMBER you are writing the letter from the perspective of the soldier- what you see, how you feel, are you scared, etc.
*This could be the type of letter one would carry with them throughout the war with the plan of giving it to another soldier if they were to die...
4. You can turn this in either handwritten (neatly) or post it under the WW1 Letter Blog.
"Real Examples" from soldiers of WW1, and a sample from a letter written by one of your own...
This site has some short diary entries from Soldiers of WW1. http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/wardiaries.htm
Check this one out- there are many different sources, the one on Gas Attacks is interesting, but feel free to read more than just one. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/w1frm.htm
and here is a short segment from another student's letter;
Dear Mother and Father,
Being over here is not the best thing in life. I have witnessed many things people do not witness every day. The bombs, I do not hear them with my ears but with my body. Many of friends I have met during training and combat are no longer standing. I seen them go in the most horrific ways imagined. This may possibly be one of the most horrific wars the world has ever seen or experienced. I hope to god that no other wars like this will happen. Word around here says that they are going to call this the Great War. I just wish that this war would end an come back home.
"War is Hell."
General William T. Sherman was quoted as saying "War is Hell" after he marched through the South destroying crops, homes, livestock, e.t.c.. He justified himself through the belief that as a soldier there are no rules of war, and winning comes at a price.
Alternative Assignment
1. Describe the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. Find, label, color and attach a map. (front)
2. Describe trench warfare and what a soldier’s experience living in a trench would have been like (back).
