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mjroman
Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Nov 15 2008, 10:01 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 15 2008, 10:01 AM EST
An article recently appeared in a British media outlet (The Independent; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-killing-fields-of-the-first-world-war-979730.html) that describes how more British people visit the battlefields now than ever before. It is a good read.

In the article there is a thought provoking quote by Martin Middlebrook: "After the 80th anniversary [of the Somme] in 1996, I would have told you that two things were inevitable. We will see declining numbers of people at future commemorations. Interest in the war will gradually reduce. The opposite has been true."

As we begin to approach the 100th anniversary of 1914, can we expect to see a similar phenomenon in the US? Or will our distance from the battlefields and our “lesser” experience” to that of the British dampen American interest in the Great War?

Thoughts anyone? Do you find this valuable?    
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JeffreyLaMonica
JeffreyLaMonica
1. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Nov 15 2008, 11:36 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 15 2008, 11:36 AM EST
Michael Neiberg's "What Students Need to Know about World War One" is posted on our "Home" page. The article speaks to this issue in the United States.

As someone writing a dissertation on the AEF, I sure hope the centennial promotes more interest in the Great War. Do you find this valuable?    

mjroman
2. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Nov 15 2008, 1:11 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 15 2008, 1:11 PM EST
Sure, between the two articles there are ample reasons provided for renewed interest in WWI. But will it catch on in the US? Or for that matter, other European nations? Do you find this valuable?    
JeffreyLaMonica
JeffreyLaMonica
3. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Nov 15 2008, 6:36 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 15 2008, 6:36 PM EST
A Link to the aforementioned article on British interest in the Great War today is posted on our "Home" page. Do you find this valuable?    
soldiersmail
soldiersmail
4. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Aug 24 2009, 11:14 PM EDT | Post edited: Aug 24 2009, 11:14 PM EDT
In my experience the American knowledge & understanding of the Great War is limited primarily due to our limited direct involvement. It looms large in the European experience because it went on for 4 horrifying years compared to the U.S. becoming involved for roughly 18 months.

The first problem is that in school history surveys WWI is a speed bump between the Civil War, the Depression and the heroics of the "Greatest Generation during WWII. This also explains the inattention that Hollywood gives the period (exceptions being the movies The Lost Battalion and Flyboys).

I like to call the Great War generation the "Most Gallant Generation", because it truly set the example for heroic sacrifice and mobilizing all of society for victory in the first truly global conflict. Do you find this valuable?    
jmgallen
jmgallen
5. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Aug 29 2009, 6:31 PM EDT | Post edited: Aug 29 2009, 6:31 PM EDT
I think that the limited involvement and the shadow of World War II will always limit interest in World War I in the U.S. As we approach the centennial and World War II fades from living memory, I think that interest in World War I will increase, but to a limited extent, and will always be far below World War II and the Civil War. Even during the centennial, it will be overshadowed by the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Do you find this valuable?    
jbeigie
jbeigie
6. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
Sep 2 2009, 9:17 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 2 2009, 9:17 PM EDT
You make a good point about Hollywood and the Great War. Most of the movies about the War and especially during the war were silent films. They have very limited appeal to modern audiences. WW-2 on the other hand had loads of sound movies made on the subject both during and after the war. To compound the problem, the film art was not as well developed in the 20's and early 30's then during later periods.

Do you find this valuable?    

lshurtleff
7. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining? Action Needed
Sep 5 2009, 11:22 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 5 2009, 11:22 AM EDT
"Michael Neiberg's "What Students Need to Know about World War One" is posted on our "Home" page. The article speaks to this issue in the United States.

As someone writing a dissertation on the AEF, I sure hope the centennial promotes more interest in the Great War."
We need to do more than hope the centennial will spark a surge of interest in the Great War. A colleague recently reminded me that the American Civil War centennial in the 1960s kindled a resurgence of interest in that conflict that has really never died down. Working with our friends in The Great War Society, WFA members have an opportunity to help rekindle interest in The Great War using as a springboard the upcoming 100th anniversary of that conflict (2014-2018).

I hope we are considering ways to mark that centeniary and increase both public and scholarly interest in the conflict and its impact on our times.

Len Shurtleff 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
jmgallen
jmgallen
8. RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining? Action Needed
Sep 5 2009, 1:03 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 5 2009, 1:03 PM EDT
"We need to do more than hope the centennial will spark a surge of interest in the Great War. A colleague recently reminded me that the American Civil War centennial in the 1960s kindled a resurgence of interest in that conflict that has really never died down. Working with our friends in The Great War Society, WFA members have an opportunity to help rekindle interest in The Great War using as a springboard the upcoming 100th anniversary of that conflict (2014-2018).

I hope we are considering ways to mark that centeniary and increase both public and scholarly interest in the conflict and its impact on our times.

Len Shurtleff "
Len,

You are right! Interest will only rise if enthusiasts promote it.

I have recently taught a one night continuing ed class on Winston Churchill in which I included considerable ocntent on his WWI involvement. On September 30 I will have a similar class on Woodrow Wilson.

My long term goal, to start in 1914, is to offer courses on each year, looking back to what happened in 1914, 1915, etc. I am starting a trial run of 70 years back to WWII next month. I will be trying to capitalize on rising interest and use the class to increase awareness.

I am still looking for a speaker in the St. Louis area who can and will talk to the Military History Club at the Missouri Athletic Club. Any help? Do you find this valuable?