The Christmas Truce, December 1914

Statements
1. The man at the Front could
not help but have a degree of
sympathy for his opponents
who were having just as
miserable a time as they were.

2. In 1914 the men at the front

could still see the vestiges of Match the statements on the left
civilisation. Villages, although hand side with these reasons
badly smashed up, were still for the Christmas Truce
standing. Fields, although
pitted with shell-holes, had not A. Men at the front missed home
been turned into muddy and were reminded of home by the
lunarscapes. villages that surrounded them at
the front.
3. Also lacking - at this early
stage of the war - was the B. Curiosity.
pain, misery and hatred that
years of bloody war eventually C. Empathy both sides were
build up. Gas had not yet suffering equally and could
been used, the death toll was appreciate each others
not yet in the millions, and circumstances.
both sides expected the war to
end in 1915. D. There was not, as yet, so much
hatred of the enemy.
4. Then there was the desire,
on all sides, to see the enemy E. The festive mood
up close was he really as
bad as the politicians, papers
and priests were saying?

5. As Christmas approached
parcels packed with goodies
from home started to arrive.
On top of this came gifts from
the state. Tommy received
plum puddings and 'Princess
Mary boxes' filled with
chocolates, butterscotch,
cigarettes and tobacco; Fritz
got the Kaiserliche.

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-christmas-truce-dec-1914-6008631
Using the information provided, and your own knowledge, answer the following
questions

1. Why do you think the truce only really took hold in the British sector of the front line?

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2. Which side do you think tended to initiate the Truce in the different sectors?

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3. Why do you think frontline officers didnt mind the Truce?

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4. Why did the higher ranking Brass Hats want to put a stop to the fraternisation?

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https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-christmas-truce-dec-1914-6008631