Exercise I

Exercise 1: What do we remember about the First World War?

Write down five words that you associate with the War.

Then look at the images below. Pick the one that you feel is the best visual representation of how the War is remembered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare

Look at your list of words and the image you selected and compare it to what others in your group chose.

It is interesting to see the visual images that people associate with the War and more importantly those they do not.

If we were to consider the terms people generally associate with the First World War we might list: trench, mud, gas, destruction, slaughter, and so on; or as Gary Sheffield (2001) states:

‘A reference to the First World War is often used as shorthand for stupidity, blind obedience, failures of leadership, appalling physical conditions, and deadlock’ (p. 3). 

The focus is nearly always on the negative aspects of the conflict and in particular the perceived experience of soldiers on the Western Front. Rarely, today, would one come across terms such as comradeship or victory.

Do you agree?

Previous:  Tutorial Intro  Next:  Why do we remember the War this way?