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THE GREAT WORLD WAR 1
The Month of November takes an insight at the Great War that affected the world an odd 100 years ago. Lets together spend a couple of minutes remembering all those who loose their lives in places like iraq, for your safety..
Below is some useful information for you.. Please do take time into reading it and getting involved.
summary ;
A big year on the Western Front, 1916 saw two of the bloodiest battles of the war as well as the Battle of Jutland, the only major clash between the British and German fleets. Not believing that a breakthrough was possible, Germany began a battle of attrition in February by assaulting the fortress city of Verdun. With the French under heavy pressure, the British launched a major offensive at the Somme in July. While the German attack at Verdun ultimately failed, the British suffered horrific casualties at the Somme for little ground gained. While both sides were bleeding in the west, Russia was able to recover and launched the successful Brusilov Offensive in June.
effects on men ;
At the begining, many men had NO IDEA what it would be like and thought it would be a fun outing. The British Goverment was so desprate to get soliders that they did not bother checking birth certificates, so you had 15 - 16 year olds going off to war. People thought a solider was the new trend, little did they know, it was the jaws of death. Once they got to the actual trenches, and had some first hand combat experience, NOBODY LIKED/ENJOYED WAR. They continued to do their duty and went through each day hoping to get through it alive and in one piece.
Many of them were driven insane by the constant artillery bombardments and the smell of the dead bodies lying out in no mans land, between the wire obstacles. Rats, lice and fleas were the least of their problems, as they had to try to stay alive. Many were admited into mental hospitals to get treated as they had suffered shell shock due to the intense pressure and loss at war.
There are also a theme of Homosexuilty, as men were deprived of women encounter at war. Futher more, there was a lot of class difference, as nearly 90% of Britians young men were forced to go to war. This included, the public school, upper class, lower class, working class.. So there was a lot of different segregation.
effects on women ;
The war affected women in a number of ways. For one thing, women were allowed to enter the work force. Many women went to work in factories and as trolley car drivers. Other women went to work in the fields. Many women became nurses. However, most women did not enjoy this line of work. During the war women became an important part of the work force. Since most of the men were off fighting, the women were needed to stay home and run things so that the ecomony would not completly fall apart. However, things were not easy at the home front.
Many women lost men in their lives, their husbands, brothers, and fathers. Before the war, women mostly depended on men for finiancial support. But with so many gone to battle and then dying, women had to to go work just to support themselves.
During the war, women were also viewed as important. Images of women on posters and postcards were to provide inspiration for the men in battle. The belief was that when a man saw the image of a woman he would be reminded of what he was fighting to protect. But he would also get a sense of comfort thinking about his loved one at home.
Society also wanted women to focus on having children. With so many people dying there would be a population decline. In order to keep the population numbers up, women and men were asked to reproduce. During the war there were many things that women were asked to do: go to work, volunteer, have kids, etc. However, the role of women did not remain this way after the war. Once the war was over and the men began to return home, women were expected to return to the kitchens and hearths as before.
The Royal British Legion along with The Poppy Appeal
What is the Poppy Appeal?
The charity organises a fund-raising drive each year in the weeks before Remembrance Sunday, during which artificial poppies, meant to be worn on clothing, are offered to the public in return for a charitable donation. Over the course of the preceding year a team of around 50 people, the majority of them disabled and ex-Service connected ' work all year round producing millions of poppies at the factory in Richmond. The idea of poppies dates back to the poem In Flanders Fields about the First World War, after which the Legion was founded. Poppies are worn until Remembrance Day to remember the fallen of the First World War, and implicitly of all wars.
Good Books to Read:
World War 1 Literature:
Birdsong (novel)
All Quiet on the Western Front
A Long Long Way
Strange Meeting (book)
The First Casualty
There are lots more, (i should know since i do English Lit at school 😆)
The Aim of the post is, to create awarness about the effects War had on people in that generation.
It's not exactly a poppy, but it works for us!😳
Please feel free to discuss War Experiences/Stories you may have from your grandparents or anything in this thread.
What do you think about War?
Should War be Continued in places like Iraq?
Why do you think War exists?
Do we take the sacrfices by Soliders for granted?
Are we to blame for Widows' cries?
LOTS OF LOVE,
Inayah Khan
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
