Title: Why is it hard to tell the story of WWI?

LO: To explain the diversity of experiences in WWI

Task 1: Categorise the information below into

· Experience of troops/recruits
· Contribution to the war effort
· Size and Scope of WWI

Hundreds of thousands of Europe suffered a The contributions of non-

African men acted as recruitment crisis in 1915
porters, supporting WWI as the war became a
in African. This was a stalemate fought in the
brutal, physically trenches. The
demanding job. The contribution of non-
recruits were poorly European troops was
supplied, the men were vital in filling spaces in
impacted by malaria and the armed forces. Many
the death rate was as of these men volunteered
high as 20%. out of loyalty and the
opportunity to ‘prove their
worth’. Many more were
conscripted (forced by
law) to fight.
European soldiers is often
forgotten, but many of
these men were rewarded
for bravery:
Belo Akure – from the
British West African
Frontier Force (WAFF),
Manta Singh (Indian Sikh
Regiment), Freddie
Stowers (African-
American, leading French
forces in the ‘100 Days’
offensive).

4m non-Europeans took The French generals saw 700,000 African Many

part in WWI. 2m African troops of the French
people were involved, West African force as
1.3m Indian soldiers ‘more suited’ to fighting.
fought in Europe. Soldiers For this reason they often
also came from the led attacks, leading to a
Caribbean and other higher casualty rate than
British colonies, as well their European
as 100,000 labourers counterparts. 30,000 men
from China. from the French West
African Force died in
WWI.
African-Americans
commented on the relative
freedoms they experienced
whilst serving in France.
The US Army was
segregated but there was
no segregation in French
society and black men
could mix more freely in
society.

90% of African countries The first shot of WWI was Many soldiers complained
were colonised in 1914. fired in Gold Coast of boredom on the
This meant that 90% of (Ghana), rather than Western Front. However,
African countries were Europe. The last shot of they were never able to
involved in the war – with the war was also fired in relax due to the constant
fighting in particular on Africa – three days after fear of attack. Soldiers
the borders of German the official end in Europe. experienced shellshock
 African colonies like (PTSD) due to the horrors
German East Africa of the trenches
(Tanzania), Togo and
Cameroon.

Soldiers in the trenches The trenches of the

struggled with mud – this Western Front carried the
could lead to trench foot, risk of poisoned gas –
which in the worse cases this was a constant fear.
led to amputation.

Task 2: Why is it so hard to tell the story of WWI?

Together we will plan out an answer to this question

Experience Contribution Scope

Similarities

What was
similar about
people’s
experience of
WWI?
Differences However.. However.. However…

What
differences
make it hard
to tell the
story?

Challenge:
Where are there most similarities / differences? Explain

The main similarity in people’s experience of WWI was….

For instance…
This was similar because…

The main difference in people’s experience of WWI was…

For instance…
This was different because…

Overall, it is hard to tell the story of WWI because…