Transcript Changing attitudes of allied and German soldiers to the war over time.

Changing attitudes of allied and German
soldiers to the war over time.
At the beginning of the War 1914
During the war 1915-1917
The end of the war 1918
At the beginning of the War 1914
The early response to the war in Britain was one of overwhelming excitement
and support. Men flocked in masses to the enlistment offices to pledge allegiance
to King and country. In Germany conscription was already in place so enlisting s
was not such a big event. Many of the British troops enlisted because they
thought the war was going to be an adventure, which would be over by
Christmas. Or they were either pressured into joining but the overall attitude was
one of excitement.
'We were happy that our country had gone to war ... We were going to do great things for one another and for the folks
at home. We were going to win fame and glory ... We really believed that we were going to fight for freedom, as the
newspapers told us.' Officer writing to a newspaper
’recruits for lord
Kitcheners army’
Wolverhampton
Archives, from the
perspective of a
British newspaper
This source is useful
because it shows the
huge amount of British
men enlisting to go to
war. Shows support for
the war, and the general
attitude which was one
of excitement
‘the leaving parade’
from the perspective
of British woman- ‘the
world war 1914-1918’
Alfred Neeves
This source is useful
because it shows the
support given to the
troops from woman
across England for the
troops leaving to fight.
‘Train carriage’ ‘the
world war 19141918’ Alfred Neeves.
From the German
perspective.
This source is useful
because it shows
German troops at the
beginning of the war
excited, and about to go
into battle against the
French. The writing on
the train translates to
‘excursion past Paris’
which suggests the
German intentions and
attitudes.
A British officer
writing to a
newspaper
‘www.uea.ac.uk’ from
the perspective of a
British soldier.
This source is useful
because it shows what
the common British
man’s attitude towards
the war was, and what
they wanted to achieve.
• 'We were happy that our
country had gone to war
... We were going to do
great things for one
another and for the folks
at home. We were going
to win fame and glory ...
We really believed that
we were going to fight
for freedom, as the
newspapers told us.’
Officer writing to a
newspaper
During the war 1915-1917
• During the war, attitudes began to change very quickly, when soldiers were
faced with unbearable conditions and horrifying battles like the Somme and
Verdun. On both fronts, the soldiers were becoming very war weary and
compared to the beginning of the war, they were in hope that it would end
as soon as possible. The poor conditions faced by the soldiers in the
trenches, unbearable weather conditions, little rations, huge casualty rates
and disrespect from superior officers all contributed to the changing
attitudes of the soldiers during the war.
'Well we mucked in all day. Talking one thing or another. One of the Germans said to me, in excellent English too.
'Well' he said, ... 'how long do you think this damn war's going to last? I'm fed up to the neck.' 'Oh' I said, 'you're
not the only ones fed up ... we're up to our necks in water and mud'. He said 'and we're the same.'' Infantryman
Frank Richards,
Lord Kitchener ‘Your
country needs you’,
from the perspective
of the allied
politicians .
‘www.uea.ac.uk’
This source is useful
because it shows how the
attitudes of men have
changed from men
enlisting to support King
and country, to being
persuaded by propaganda
material to enlist in the
army.
Private J A Hopper
‘www.uea.ac.uk’ from
the perspective of a
British soldier
This source is useful
because it shows you
how the soldiers were
feeling, and how they
had grown to hate the
war and just wanted it
to be over.
• “Towards the end of the
war, we were so fed up
we wouldn't even sing
'God Save the King' in
church parade. 'Never
mind the King' we used
to say, he was safe
enough, it should have
been 'God save us”.'
Private J A Hopper
‘Paschendale’
ww1.blogspot.comfrom the perspective
of the soldiers.
This source highlights
the harsh realities the
soldiers did face while at
war. Harsh conditions
seen in this image faced
at the battle of
Paschendale triggered
the attitudes of the
soldiers to change
drastically and question
the need for the War.
‘Hangings’ ‘the world
war 1914-1918’
Alfred Neeves from
the German
perspective
This picture shows mass
hangings for German
soldiers who revolted
against their superior
officers, This shows the
attitudes of many
soldiers at the end of the
war, that they just
wanted the war to be
over.
The end of the war 1918
• By the end of the war soldiers on both sides were just wanting the war to
be over. Soldiers within both the German and allied forces mutinied against
their superior officers showing their disregard for the long war. War weary
soldiers were asking what they were fighting for and really questioning the
motives of the Generals and men in Power. The end of the war came with
the Germans presenting an armistice to the allies, which was signed and
the war was over on the 11-11-1918.
“Towards the end of the war, we were so fed up we wouldn't even sing 'God Save the King' in church parade. 'Never
mind the King' we used to say, he was safe enough, it should have been 'God save us”.' Private J A Hopper
WWI propaganda
poster, From a
Woman's perspective
This poster shows that
during the war,
propaganda was used to
pressure men to enlist.
By saying that woman
want their fathers,
husbands and brothers
to go to War.
Infantryman Frank
Richards, after
conversation with a
German
POW,1914‘www.uea.a
c.uk’
This source shows that
the German and the
British troops were over
fighting and just wanted
everything to return to
normal, and it shows
how drastically attitudes
had changed.
• 'Well we mucked in all day.
Talking one thing or another. One
of the Germans said to me, in
excellent English too. 'Well' he
said, ... 'how long do you think
this damn war's going to last? I'm
fed up to the neck.' 'Oh' I said,
'you're not the only ones fed up
... we're up to our necks in water
and mud'. He said 'and we're the
same.'' Infantryman Frank
Richards
www.qaranc.co.uk
End of the War
parade.
This image shows the
excitement of the people
after the troops returned
home from the war. The
soldiers received
overwhelming accolades,
and highlights just how
happy people were to
finally see that the war
was over.
Soldiers celebrate
after the Armistice
was signed.
www.ggww.co.uk
This images shows the
feelings of excitement
the soldiers had when
they found out the war
was over and they could
go back home. It is
useful because it shows
how soldiers attitudes
had done a full
revolution and they were
now happy again.