The Nuremberg Trials - did the Nazis show any remorse? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out if those found guilty of war crimes said sorry.

Ben Ferencz says the lack of remorse on the blank faces of the Nazis he prose-cuted for killing more than a million innocent people is still revolting. The 97-year-old recalls the scene at Nuremberg in vivid detail … "Defendants' faces were blank all the time…absolutely blank,…like…they're waiting for a bus," … "I'm still churning," as he tears up. "I'm still churning. They were 3,000 SS officers trained for the purpose and directed to kill, without pity or remorse, every single Jewish man, woman and child they could lay their hands on," An account of an interview with Nuremberg Prosecutor, Ben Frencz. The interview was for the TV show - 60 Minutes.

“If any ill-treatment of prisoners by guards occurred, I have never observed any. in the course of the years the guard personnel had deteriorated to such an extent that the standards formerly demanded

could no longer be maintained. We had thousands of guards who could hardly speak German, who came from all lands as volunteers and joined these, units, or we had older men, between 50 and 60, who lacked all interest in their work, so that a camp commander had to watch constantly that these men fulfilled even the lowest requirements of their duties. It is obvious that there were ele-ments among them who would ill-treat internees, but this ill-treatment was never tolerated.” Rudolf Hess - Nuremberg Trials, 1946. He was the deputy Fuhrer to Hitler.

"This was a bad day … damn that stupid fool, Speer! Did you see how he disgraced himself in court today? How could he stoop so low as to do such a rotten thing to save his lousy neck? I nearly died with shame! To think that Germans will be so rotten to prolong this filthy life. Do you think I give that much of a damn about this lousy life?. For myself, I don't give a damn if I get executed, or drown, or crash in a plane, or drink myself to death! But there is still a matter of honour in this damn life! Assassination attempt on Hitler! Ugh! I could have sunk through the floor. And do you think I would have handed Himmler over to the enemy, guilty as he was? Dammit, I would have liquidated the bastard myself! Or if there was to have been any trial, a German court should have sentenced him! Would Americans think of handing over their criminals to us to sentence?"…. “But I should like to state clearly that I have never decreed the murder of a single individual at any time and nei-ther did I decree any other atrocities or tolerate them while I had the power and the knowledge to prevent them. The new allegation presented by rr. Dodd in his last speech, that I had ordered Heydrich to kill the Jews lacks every proof and is not true either. There is not a single order signed by me, or signed on my behalf.”

Statements from Hermann Goring in 1946 - made during the Nuremberg Trials and in his prison cell before his execution. Goring was a leading Nazi.

Race Relations USA - did campaign aims change? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to investigate the aims of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

So our next move is to take the entire civil rights struggle – problem – into the United Nations and let the world see that Uncle Sam (America) is guilty of violating the human rights of 22 million Afro-Americans and still has the nerve to represent himself as the leader of the free world? [cheering] Not only is he a crook, he's a hypocrite. Here he is standing up in front of other people, with the blood of your and mine mothers and fathers on his hands. With the blood dripping down his jaws like a bloody-jawed wolf. And still got the nerve to point his finger at other countries. In 1964 you can't even get civil rights legislation and this man has got the nerve

to stand up and talk about South Africa or talk about Nazi Germany . So I say in my conclusion, the only way we're going to solve it: we got to unite. We got to work together in unity and harmony. And black nationalism is the key. How we gonna overcome the tendency to be at each other's throats that always exists in our neighbourhood? The strategy of the white man has always been to divide us in order to conquer us. He tells you, I'm for separation and you for integration, and keep us fighting with each other. You think that integration will get you freedom; I think that separation will get me freedom. We both got the same objective, we just got different ways of getting' at it. [applause] Malcolm X: speech, 1964. He gave the speech to the black worshippers at Cory Methodists church. Malcolm X was a Muslim minister and black activist.

“We have to unify … we have to man our own group and straighten our own

problems. The blood sweat and tears of the black men are the foundation of the wealth and power of the United States of America. We were forced to build America

and oi we are forced to we will be forced to tear it down. The immediate result of this destruction will be suffering and bloodshed. But the end result will be perpetual

peace for all of mankind”.

Huey P. Newton.

Leader of the Black Panthers - ‘In defense of self defense ‘speech, 1967.

“In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not

seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must

forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our

protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights

of meeting physical force with soul force. I am not unmindful that some of you have come fresh

from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left

you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have

been the veterans of creative suffering ...I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia,

the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at

the table of brotherhood“.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

‘I have a dream speech’ , Washington DC, 1963.

The Battle of the Somme - a useless waste of life? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to investigate what happened at the Somme in 1916.

‘At about 7.30 o'clock this morning a vigorous (strong) attack was launched by the British Army. The front extends over some 20 miles north of the Somme. The assault was preceded by (began with) a terrific bombardment, lasting about an hour and a half. It is too early to as yet give anything but the barest particulars, as the fighting is developing in intensity, but the British troops have already occupied (taken) the German front line. rany prisoners have already fallen into our hands, and as far as can be as-certained (known) our casualties have not been heavy.’

The Daily Chronicle newspaper published this report on the Battle of the Somme,

July 3rd, 1916.

‘I would like to congratulate you on the achievement and successes

you have made in this great battle. You have pushed back the enemy

back with great bravery and skill even with such terrible weather.’

A telegram sent by British Prime minister Lloyd George to the British

soldiers during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

‘Haig believed in the old ways of battle when horses would charge against

the enemy and smash them. This worked before the new machine gun

arrived. In the First World War Haig tried and failed again and again the

same idea with men against machine guns It was a mass slaughter and a

such waste of human life. ‘Haig was a donkey. His only idea was to kill more

Germans than have Germans kill his own men. This was a terrible kind of idea

and was not an idea at all. He knew he had no chance of breaking through

the German trenches but he still sent men to their deaths.’

‘British Butchers’

Modern Historian, 1985.

The Holocaust - why did it happen? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out reasons for the Holocaust.

‘The behaviours of the ants give us reason to think and note the following truths. The work of the individual has only one purpose: to serve the whole group. Each ant risks its life without hesitation for the group. Individual ant or other species who are not useful or are harmful to the whole are eliminated. The species is maintained by producing a large number of offspring. It is not difficult for us to see the application of these principles to mankind: We also can accomplish great things only by a division of labour. If a person acts against the general interest, he is an enemy of the people and will be punished by the law as shown earlier in principle 4. A look at our own German history proves that we must defend our territory to pre-serve our existence. These natural laws are incontrovertible; living creatures demonstrate them by their very survival. They are unforgiving. Those who resist them will be wiped out. Biology not only tells us about animals and plants, but also shows us the laws we must follow in our lives, and steels our wills to live and fight according to these laws. The meaning of all life is struggle. Woe to him who sins against this law.’ Extracts ( edited ) from a school biology textbook for 5th grade girls - 1942.

‘I had attended it with a group of friends … some Jewish, some gentile [non-Jewish]. It was so cruel...that we could not believe anybody would have

taken it seriously, or find it convincing. But the next day one of the my German friends said that she was ashamed to admit that the movie had affected her. That

although it strengthened her resolve to oppose the German regime, the film had suc-ceeded in making her see Jews as “them.” And that of course was true for all of us.

The Germans had driven a wedge in what was one of the most integrated communities in Europe. ‘

Comments from graduate student Marion Pritchard after seeing a Nazi propaganda film called The Eternal Jew.

‘Education in the Third Reich served to indoctrinate students with the National Socialist

world view. Nazi scholars and educators glorified Nordic and other “Aryan” races, while

denigrating Jews and other so-called inferior peoples as parasitic “bastard races”

incapable of creating culture or civilization. After 1933, the Nazi regime purged the

public school system of teachers deemed to be Jews or to be “politically unreliable.”

rost educators, however, remained in their posts and joined the National Socialist

Teachers League. 97% of all public school teachers, some 300,000 persons, had joined

the League by 1936. In fact, teachers joined the Nazi Party in greater numbers than

any other profession. ‘

Website Article Published by the Holocaust Museum.

The League of Nations - why did it fail? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out reasons why the League ultimately failed.

I know this sounds all wrong, perhaps immoral, when Japan is flouting the League of Nations, but:

1 - she (Japan) was greatly provoked. 2 -she must ere long expand somewhere - for goodness sake let or rather encourage her to do so there instead of Australia. 3 -her control of ranchuria means a real block against Communist aggression.

A letter from the Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge University, to his friend

John Simon, the British Foreign Secretary - 1933.

There had to be unanimity for decisions that were taken. Unanimity made it really hard

for the League to do anything. The League suffered big time from the absence of major

powers — Germany, Japan, Italy ultimately left — and the lack of U.S. participation. The

League showed the inherent limitations of collective security, which is basically an “all for

one and one for all” ethos; countries have to treat the outbreak of war anywhere as wor-

risome and a threat and we have to respond to it. The reality is [that doctrine] doesn’t

take into account countries’ other interests or the context. For instance, when Italy invad-

ed Ethiopia in the mid-1930s, Britain and France who needed Italy as it was cozying up to

Nazi Germany, chose to appease. Same thing when Hitler started gobbling up little bits of

nearby countries.

Time Magazine Article: Olivia Waxman, January 2019.

‘The clue lies in the name: the League of Nations. Not 'states' or 'countries' - 'Nations'. Wasn't it Wilson who insisted that self-determination was at the centre of the Treaty of Versailles? Wilson made a Peace which created a world of nations, but he formed a League which relied on 'moral persuasion' and 'collective security'. The League never had any chance of success. As soon as any of his nations found that its national self-interest was threatened, the League could go hang.’

The modern historian John Duncan suggests that the tension between national interest and the League's needs made the eventual failure of the League inevitable - book extract, 2000.

The Industrial Revolution - what was work like for children? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out life for child workers during the Industrial Revolution.

‘rany children worked 16 hour days under terrible conditions. Parliamen-

tary laws to try and reduce the working hours of children in factories and

cotton mills to 12 hours per day had been passed in 1819. After protesting

in 1831 further reforms were passed but only in the textile industry, where

children were put to work at the age of 5, and not to most other industries.

The new laws were monitored and enforced in the whole of England by a

total of four inspectors (men).

David Cody, Professor of English at Hartwick College, New York:

Online article: Victorianweb.org c2016

"I have visited many factories, both in ranchester and the surrounding districts, during a period of several months and I never saw a single instance of corporal punishment inflicted on a child. The children seemed to be always cheerful and alert, taking pleasure in using their muscles. The work of these lively elves seemed to resemble a sport. Conscious of their skill, they were delighted to show it off to any stranger. At the end of the day's work they showed no sign of being exhausted." An extract from the book titled ‘The Philosophy of Manufacturers’ . The book was published in 1835 by Andrew Ure a wealthy Scottish businessmen. The book was aimed a factory managers and owners and to make production more efficient.

‘Children as young as six years old during the industrial revolution worked

hard hours for little or no pay. Children sometimes worked up to 19

hours a day, with a one-hour total break. This was a little bit on the

extreme, but it was not common for children who worked in factories

to work 12-14 hours with the same minimal breaks. Not only were

these children subject to long hours, but also, they were in horrible condi-

tions. Large, heavy, and dangerous equipment was very common for children

to be using or working near. rany accidents occurred injuring or killing chil-

dren on the job. Not until the Factory Act of 1833 did things improve.

From a modern history text book.

After the Revolution: The Rise of Joseph Stalin. Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out how Stalin was able to take power after Lenin’s death.

“We Communists are special people. We are made of special stuff. We are those who from the army of the great proletarian

workers strategists, the army of Comrade Lenin. There is nothing higher then the honour of belonging in the army. There is

nothing higher than the title of the member of the Bolshevik Party whose founder and leader was Comrade Lenin. Departing from

us Comrade Lenin adjourned (left us) us to guard and strengthen the dictatorship of the proletariat (workers ). We vow to you, Comrade,

that we will spare no effort to fulfil this. Leaving us, Comrade Lenin asked us to keep the unity of the party like the apple of our eye. We

vow to thee, Comrade Lenin that we will honourably fulfil this as is your commandment.”

Joseph Stalin's speech at Lenin’s funeral, January, 1924.

Comrade Stalin, having become Secretary-General, has unlimited authority concentrated in his hands, and I am not sure whether he will always be capable of using that authority with sufficient caution.

Comrade Trotsky, on the other hand, has already proved, is distinguished by outstanding ability and is perhaps the most capable man in Communist Party. But he has displayed excessive self-assurance and shown excessive preoccupa-tion with the purely administrative side of the work. Yet, Stalin is too coarse ( rough / hard ) and although quite tolerable in our midst becomes intolerable in a Secretary-General. I suggest that the comrades think about a way of removing Stalin and appointing another man in who differs from Comrade Stalin, being more tolerant, more loyal, more polite and more considerate to the comrades”.

An extract from Lenin's Testament - an official document Lenin had written just weeks before his death in January 1924.

To his comrades in the Party Stalin was looked down on as ‘Comrade Card

Index’. The other Bolshevik leaders left him to assemble and organise people

and files of information, not yet realising the power he was building for himself

using this position. rost of them, being very well read were obsessed with a

very different kind of danger, such as having the revolution hijacked (taken

over) by another similar to Napoleon Bonaparte in France.

Modern Historian.

After the Revolution: The Rise of Joseph Stalin. Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out how Stalin was able to take power after Lenin’s death.

“We Communists are special people. We are made of special stuff. We are those who from the army of the great proletarian work-

ers strategists, the army of Comrade Lenin. There is nothing higher then the honour of belonging in the army. There is

nothing higher than the title of the member of the Bolshevik Party whose founder and leader was Comrade Lenin. Departing from

us Comrade Lenin adjourned (left us) us to guard and strengthen the dictatorship of the proletariat (workers ). We vow to you, Comrade,

that we will spare no effort to fulfil this. Leaving us, Comrade Lenin asked us to keep the unity of the party like the apple of our eye. We

vow to thee, Comrade Lenin that we will honourably fulfil this as is your commandment.”

Joseph Stalin's speech at Lenin’s funeral, January, 1924.

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Comrade Stalin, having become Secretary-General, has unlimited authority concentrated in his hands, and I am not sure whether he will always be capable of using that authority with sufficient caution.

Comrade Trotsky, on the other hand, has already proved, is distinguished by outstanding ability and is perhaps the most capable man in Communist Party. But he has displayed excessive self-assurance and shown excessive preoccupa-tion with the purely administrative side of the work. Yet, Stalin is too coarse ( rough / hard ) and although quite tolerable in our midst becomes intolerable in a Secretary-General. I suggest that the comrades think about a way of removing Stalin and appointing another man in who differs from Comrade Stalin, being more tolerant, more loyal, more polite and more considerate to the comrades”.

An extract from Lenin's Testament - an official document Lenin had written just weeks before his death in January 1924.

To his comrades in the Party Stalin was looked down on as ‘Comrade Card

Index’. The other Bolshevik leaders left him to assemble and organise people

and files of information, not yet realising the power he was building for himself

using this position. rost of them, being very well read were obsessed with a

very different kind of danger, such as having the revolution hijacked (taken

over) by another similar to Napoleon Bonaparte in France.

Modern Historian.

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rember of the Central Committee of the Communist Party

carrying Lenin’s coffin in Red Square, 27 January 1924.

The Birth of Communism: the Russian Revolution, 1917. Mission: to analyse + evaluate historical sources then consider how communist ideas helped create the Russian revolution in October, 1917.

‘The world is run by capitalists who own the banks and the factories. They make huge profits and become very rich. The people who work in these factories have to put up with terrible working conditions and they receive very little of the profits—instead this goes to the owners. Eventually, these workers will not accept the situation any longer and there will be a revolution. The workers will join together, rise up and take power for themselves. This will lead to a communist society in which a workers’ government will

share out the wealth fairly. There will not be a division between rich and poor‘.

An extract from Karl Marx’s manifesto, published in Germany in 1848. The extract has been translated and simplified.

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‘Democracy for the minority is only democracy for the rich – that is the de-mocracy of capitalist society. If we look more closely into the machinery of capitalist democracy, we see this everywhere - exclusion of women, the

peasant and in the technique of the representative institutions, in the actual obsta-cles to the right of assembly (public buildings are not for paupers (poor people) and in the purely capitalist organization of the media we see restriction after restriction upon democracy. These restrictions, exceptions, exclusions, obstacles for the poor seem slight, especially in the eyes of one who has never known want himself and has never been in close contact with the oppressed (trampled) in their life. 99 out of 100, bourgeois publicists and politicians come under this category) yet still, they squeeze out the poor from politics, from active participation in democracy’.

From a letter sent by Vladimir Lenin from Finland to Russia, July 1917.

“The workers have taken control of the factories and run them by committees. The peasants have been told to share out the land between themselves. Our gov-ernment has taken control of the banks and the wealth of the rich people has been confiscated. No political parties are allowed except the Communist Party. All newspaper are under out control. However, we are encouraging all classes of peo-ple to have access to the finest theatre and music. Women are equal to men and everyone is now called ‘Comrade’. The Tsar and his family have been shot. Russia is now know as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. (USSR)

Speech by Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik revolutionary July 25th, 1918.

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Sinking Titanic - women and children first? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out how people reacted as the Titanic sank.

‘The officers in charge of loading the boats were cool and masterful, preventing as far as possible all disorder and enforcing the

command to load women and children first. When boat 13 was lowered to A deck to be loaded I went to this deck - After 8 or 10

women had been placed aboard, no other women or children were within hearing distance to respond to the officers call. A number of

men then climbed over the rail into the boat when some one pushed me from behind and shouted get in doctor. I climbed in and in a few

moment the lifeboat was full and orders given to lower’

Washington Dodge wrote this as part of his written testimony a few days after the disaster in April 1912.

His handwriting was wild and shaky. Dr Washington Dodge killed himself in 1919.

‘Those lucky enough to be in one of the lifeboats were asked to row

quickly to get clear of the sinking Titanic. "I took the oars and rowed

with so much energy that my hands were bleeding and my wrists were para-

lysed, because we had to hurry to escape the huge chasm that was going to

be opened when the Titanic would sink. "It was at this moment that I noticed

someone hidden underneath me. I didn’t have the strength to reveal his

presence. I’ve never known who the man who saved his own life was.’

Telegraph Newspaper Article, 2014.

"We witnessed unforgettable scenes where horror mixed with the most sub-

lime heroism. Women, still in evening gowns, some just out of bed, barely

clothed, dishevelled, distraught, scrambled for the boats. Captain Smith

yelled, "Women and children first". Firm and calm in the throng, officers and

sailors were taking them by the arm and towards the lifeboats. Near me

were two handsome elderly, rr. and rrs. Straus, proprietors of the great

store racy's of New York. She refused to go into the boat. She put her arms

around the neck of her husband, telling him: 'We have been married 50

years, we have never left each other, I want to die with you.'

Rose Icard was a French maid on the Titanic - she wrote this letter

in 1955 to record her memories of that night.

Did Thinking Really Change During the Renaissance? Mission: to analyse and evaluate historical sources to understand more about Renaissance thinking.

‘His genius was so versatile (multi talented) that you might almost judge all the fine arts to be his. He played ball, hurled the javelin, ran, leaped, wrestled, and above all delighted in the steep slopes of mountains. He learned music without teachers and his compositions were approved by the finest musicians. When he had begun to mature in years, neglecting everything else, he

devoted himself entirely to the study of letters, and spent some years of labor (work) on canon and civil law. At the age of twenty-four he turned to physics and the mathematical arts. Thus showing by example that men can do anything with themselves if they will’

Leon Battista Alberti –wrote an essay about himself in: c1434 The essay was titled - Self Portrait of a Universal Man

He was an Italian poet and writer.

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'When evening comes, I return home and go into my study.

Here I take off my muddy, sweaty work clothes of everyday

men and put on my robes. Now I enter the world of the

ancient scholars and philosophers of Greece and Rome and I

am welcomed by them. For the space of four hours I forget

the world, remember no anger, fear poverty no more,

tremble no more at death; I pass indeed into their world. '

Written by Niccolo Machiavelli - c1512

‘If you imagine a museum gallery filled with

Renaissance art, do you see a room of religious

paintings and sculpture? Very likely. From the

early fifteenth century, humanistic influences prompted

such new subjects as portraits or scenes of Greek mytholog-

ical. However, most works of art, continued to show

religious themes. This is true of painting as well as

sculpture, and public and private commissions’.

www.italianrensaissanceresources.com

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Raphael’s The School of Athens

Painted from 1509-11

What Were The Hundred Days - FDR’s New Deal ? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to consider how FDR started his presidency.

“This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions

in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm be-

lief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert

retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the

people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days Our greatest

primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct

recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment,

accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s, inaugural speech, March 1933.

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”The inaugural speech was one of the turning

points of American history. In a few minutes Roose-

velt did what so wearyingly eluded Hoover got for years: he

gave back to his countrymen their hope and energy. By the end of the week half a million

grateful letter had poured into the White House “.

Hugh Brogan - ‘History of the

United States’. 1985

‘Roosevelt realised how important it was to gain the trust of the American people and

Inspire confidence. So, just eight days after his inauguration, he gave the first of his

famous ’fireside chats’. He explained his actions in a simple and direct way, and asked

Americans to work with him. Roosevelt's (radio) broadcasts were astonishingly successful,

none more important than the first one that dealt with the issue of the banks’.

USA Between The Wars - Textbook.

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”His most urgent problem was sorting out the banks. Since 1930 over 5000 banks had been forced to close and the banking system was on the point of collapse. This was because savers had withdrawn their money and businesses had been unable to repay bank loans. Roosevelt immediately closed all banks for a ‘four day holiday’ and rushed the Emergency Banking Act through Congress in just eight hours. Only the banks the government decided were well run were allowed to reopen. These banks were supported by government loans to reassure people their money would be safe. Customers deposited $1 billion shortly after the banks reopened”.

USA Between The Wars - Textbook.

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Why did Australia get involved in WW1? Mission: to analyse and evaluate historical sources to gain a better understanding why Australia entered the First World War in 1914.

There is no more revered image in Australia's national consciousness than that of the Anzac. Tough and independent-minded, the idealised digger is constantly invoked: in political speeches, sporting contests, school assemblies, advertising slogans, and so on. When the Great War began it was regarded by many as something of a grand adventure that would be over within weeks.

But by the time it ended four years later, more than 60,000 Australians from a population of less than five million were dead. The Great War's second enduring legacy has been to reinforce the (mistaken) belief that we could not defend ourselves against a major military threat. Throughout WWI, from Gallipoli to the Western Front, Australians fought as members of an alliance under British command. We had no voice in decision-making, or even the deployment of our troops. We became conditioned to accept strategic advice, not make it. We weren't consulted by the UK before war was declared on our behalf in 1914; and matters were only marginally better in 1939. Opinion piece by Australian journalist Alan Stephens. Published in ABC news online article in 1914.

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icHistory.com

When Britain declared war in 1914 it declared war on behalf of the British

Empire, which included Australia. Secondly, if Australia became involved in this

war they would gain more respect from some of their fellow countries consider-

ing they were quite a new smaller nation. Australians at this point in time were also very

naive and believed that by the time they went to war it would all be over. These are a

few enlistment posters for WW1 There were a few other minor reasons such as staying

loyal to their mates who decided to sign up for war.

Internet Article: c2015

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When Britain declared war against Germany in August 1914, Australia, as a dominion of

the British Empire, was automatically also at war. While thousands rushed to volunteer,

most of the men accepted into the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 were sent

first to Egypt, not Europe, to meet the threat which a new belligerent, the Ottoman

Empire, posed to British interests in the riddle East and the Suez Canal. After four and

a half months of training near Cairo, the Australians departed by ship for the Gallipoli

peninsula, along with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France. On 25 April 1915

the Australians landed at what became known as Anzac Cove, whereupon

they established a tenuous foothold on the steep slopes above the beach.

Australiagov.au - First World War Website. C

The Causes of the First World War. Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to investigate the causes of the First World War.

‘The situation in Europe had been dangerously tense for more than thirty years, Germany, ever stronger and more pugnacious (ready to fight) , was detested (hated) by the French. Kaiser William II, the arrogant young Emperor, followed a policy based on strength instead of caution. Convincing himself that Germany was being denied her rightful 'place in the sun', the Kaiser embarked (began) upon a vast programme of military and naval armament. For mutual protection, therefore, France and Russia drew closer together ...The German Emperor, who had neither brains nor manners, seemed to go out of his way to give and to take offence. He wrote rudely to his grandmother (Queen Victoria of Britain), openly sided with the Boers, and told Britain to mind her own business in Egypt instead of complaining about German plans to build a railway from Berlin to Baghdad. Above all, he built a powerful battle-fleet which could only be intended to challenge British sea-power. In this situation Britain could not afford to remain isolated, and the British Prime rinister Balfour made an approach to France.‘ British Historian, R.J. Unstead, A Century of Change (1963) Balfour was Prime Minister of Britain 1902 -1905. A

‘One of the most surprising features of the reception of the news of the war was the enthusiasm shown not only by the half-educated and nationalistic masses, but by intellectuals, too. One spectacular example was the French engineer-turned-

philosopher, Georges Sorel. His work, Reflections on Violence (1908), wrote that in all great achievements to violence. It is not, therefore, in the diplomatic documents, or the plans of the war offices that the whole story of the origins of the war can be found. When they have been read, there still remain important questions about mass psychology (thinking of most people) and spiritual weariness to be answered before we can say how so great a conflict came about.’

J. M. Roberts in History of World War One (1978)

‘ The debate about responsibility was infused with moral claims as each side blamed their enemies for starting the war. Politicians issued hastily assembled collections of diplomatic document and argued that the “truth” lay within these documents Citizens, particularly academics and intellectuals, wrote in defence of their state’s conduct. Without access to the diplomatic documents, historians explained that the origins of the war in the context of allegedly long-term cultural and social differences. Debates about the conduct of war became intertwined with arguments about the responsibility for war. For example, the French philosopher, Henri Bergson (c1925) that the war represented a struggle between “civilisation” and “barbarism” and supported French claims that it was fighting war in de-fence of right and justice, as well as its own territory. ‘ William Mulligan, Internet Article, 2016. (Edited)

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icHistory.com

The Remilitarisation of the Rhineland: a gamble? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out how risky Hitler’s remilitarization of the Rhineland was.

“The forty-eight hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had then marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even a moderate resistance “. Adolf Hitler after the Rhineland remilitarisation in private, to his interpreter, Dr Paul Schmidt years after German troops went into the Rhineland. A

‘From information given by the Service rinisters it transpired that our position at

home and in home waters was a disadvantageous one, whether from the point of view

of the Navy, Army or Air Force, or anti-aircraft defence. In addition, public opinion was

strongly opposed to any military action against the Germans in the demilitarised zone.

In particular, the ex-service men were very anti-French. roreover, many people, perhaps most

people were saying openly that they did not see why the Germans should not re-occupy the

Rhineland. In these circumstances, it was generally accepted that it was worth taking almost any

risk in order to escape from that situation.

The British Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden, describes a meeting he had with

French, Belgian and Italian counterparts in 1936.

Adolf Hitler knew that both France and Britain were militarily stronger than Ger-many. However, he became convinced that they were unwilling to go to war. He therefore decided to break another aspect of the Treaty of Versailles by sending German troops into the Rhineland. The German generals were very much against the plan, claiming that the French Army would win a victory in the mili-tary conflict that was bound to follow this action. Hitler ignored their advice and on 1st rarch, 1936, three German battalions marched into the Rhineland. The French government was horrified to find German troops on their border but were unwilling to take action without the support of the British. The British gov-ernment argued against going to war over the issue and justified its position by claiming that "Germany was only marching into its own back yard."

Article from Spartacus Education Website.

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A British cartoon By E Shepard

Published in Punch Magazine: 1936

How Far Did the Roles of Women Change During the 1920s? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to consider how life changed for American women during the 1920s.

Jane says … “In a way, it’s just honesty. Women have come down off the pedestal lately. They are tired of the mysterious feminine charm stuff. Maybe it goes with independence, earning your own living and voting and all that … women still want to be loved … but they want it on a fifty - fifty basis, which includes being admired for the qualities they really possess. Dragging in the strange allurement stuff doesn't seem sporting … Of course, not so many girls are looking for a life meal ticket nowadays. Lots of them prefer to earn their own way of living and omit ( leave out ) the home and baby act. Well anyhow: postpone it years and years. They think a bachelor girl can and should do everything a bachelor man does”. A 1925 New Republic magazine article titled ‘Flapper Jane‘. The interviewer’s name was Bruce Bliven. A

“Though a few upper middle-class women in the cities talked about throwing off the older conventions ( they were the flappers ) most stuck to their more traditional attitudes concerning ‘their place’. rost middle-

class women concentrated on managing their home. Their daughters far from taking to the streets against discrimination were more likely to prepare for careers as mothers and housewives. rillions of immigrant women and their daughters also clung to traditions that placed men firmly in control of the family. rost American women concentrated on making ends meet or setting aside money to buy new gadgets that offered some relief from household drudgery”.

Modern Historian: T. Patterson, ‘America in the Twentieth Century’.

”It is wholly confusing to read the advertisements in the large magazines that feature the

enticing qualities of vacuum cleaners, refrigerators and hundreds of other devices which

should lighten the chores of women in the home. On the whole middle class women do

their own housework with few mechanical aids. Women who live on farms - and they

form the largest group in the United States do a great deal of work ( washing clothes,

caring for the home and cooking ). The other largest group in America, the families of the

labourers, the miners, the steel workers, skilled and unskilled workers. The wages of

these men are so small that wives must do double duty - that is caring for the children

and the home and toil ( work) on the outside as wage earners”.

Doris E Fleischman, ‘America As Americans See It’ - published 1932.

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The Effects of the Wall Street Crash - The Great Depression. Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to consider how Americans were impacted by the economic collapse.

”A six year old boy licked the paper bag the meat had been brought in. His legs were scarcely any larger than a medium sized dog’s leg. His

belly was as large as a 130 pound woman’s. Suffering from rickets and anaemia, his legs were unable to carry him for more than a dozen

(12) steps at a time; suffering from malnutrition, his belly was swollen several times its normal size. His face was white and bony. He was

starving to death. In the other room of the house without chairs, beds or tables, a woman lay rolled up in some quilts trying to sleep. On

the floor before an open fire lay two babies, neither a year old, sucking dry teats of a mongrel bitch (dog) “.

Eskine Calder writing in 1935 - New York Post Article after a visit to rural Georgia. A “The Great Depression blighted everybody, except for the very poor who had nothing to lose. There were skyscrapers just finished that had no tenants. There were truckers with nothing to truck, milk that went

undelivered to people who couldn't afford it. I couldn't go out in the evening to mail a letter without being stopped by nicely dressed men cadging dimes and quarters”.

Alistair Cooke, America, 1973.

” During the last three months I have visited some 20 states of this wonderfully rich and

beautiful country. Montana citizens told me of thousands of bushels of wheat left in the

fields uncut on account of its low price that hardly paid for harvesting. In Oregon I saw

apples rotting at the orchards. At the same time there are millions of children who will

not eat one apple this winter. A farmer told me he had cut the throat of 3000 sheep and

thrown them into a canyon because it cost $1.10 to ship an animal worth $1.00. I saw

men picking for meat scraps from the garbage cans of the cities”.

Oscar Ameringer’s evidence to the House of representatives in 1932.

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“ ..at first and even a second glance, New York City is much the same as it was in pre-depression days. Wandering the city looking for disaster, the visitor will very

likely find no more then he would have in New York in any other winter”.

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The end of WW1: Why was Germany defeated? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out why Germany lost the war.

I am not sure about all the reasons but I am writing ones I remember from Hitler’s book ‘rein Kampf. Hitler had fought for Germany in WW1 and wrote his book while in prison in 1924. Hitler blamed the Jews for causing trouble in Germany by encouraging the working clas-ses to create problems in Germany, thus undermining the mood and will to keep fighting. He also blames them politicians and influential Jews for agreeing to the signing of the armistice to stop the fighting in 1914. Hitler blamed the Jewish press for first encouraging the war effort at the beginning of the war and then halfway through turning their backs on them and carrying on all kinds of Anti-war propaganda which lowered morale of the soldiers. Hitler had loved only wo things in his life - his mother and Germany. Having already lost his mother to breast cancer in 1907 he now saw that Germany had been lost because of another cancer within Germany—the Jews. An extract from and essay by Haji Usman, Pakistan - Literacy Student. c2014. A

The German Schlieffen Plan failed in 1914, as did the Verdun offensive in 1916. German submarine warfare in the Atlantic had been a bitter disappointment and now the 'Great Battle in France'

had ground to a halt and the British and French were pushing relentlessly forward in early 1918. Despite these problems, German expectations were still high that a new plan named the 'richael offensive’ across the old Somme battlefields would win the war. The Germans made astonish-ing advances in the first few days moving 60 kilometres and destroying the British Fifth Army. But they soon became bogged down with no clear operational goal. The French counter-attacked in July, the British in Au-gust, and it was now clear that the Central Powers could not possibly win the war. Germany had lost the initiative, Austria-Hungary was on the verge of collapse and there was a chronic shortage of men left to fight.

BBC History

‘In 1917 German hopes of winning the war were high. Russia had surrendered

following a communist takeover meaning Germany’s enemy in the east was

gone. However, 1917 brought in the USA soon after German U-boats torpedoed

and sank the American ship, the Lusitania, killing 128 American civilians . The US

entry brought huge resources and fresh soldiers that would help economically

strangle Germany into submission by November 1918’.

P Chantler - Secondary School History Teacher .

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‘The Stab in the Back’: 1919 Austrian Postcard.

icHistory.com

The Failure at Gallipoli: who was to blame? icHistory.com

Mission: to analyse + evaluate historical sources then consider who was most to blame for the failed Gallipoli campaign.

‘ In truth it is unfair to blame the British for the slaughter at the Turkish position at Nek in 1915. Instead it was mostly the

fault of two Australian incompetents (fools) - Brigadier General Hughes and Colonel Antill. Hughes was a commander

who didn't command and Antil was not but he did. The ordinary soldiers at Gallipoli were indeed lions led donkeys but

not all donkeys were British. General Bridges of the Australian division died after needlessly exposing himself to shellfire while

General Johnston was to blame for delaying an attack on a poorly defended Turkish position. When he finally decided to attack

the Turks had reinforced their defences and the Kiwis were needlessly slaughtered’.

By journalist Saul David, article in the Daily Telegraph ( a British newspaper ) published in 2015

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“ There were no terrible 'if' moments when the whole campaign could

have been won. In reality, the landing had no chance as it was doomed

from the outset. The strategic conception was wrong. The available

resources were not there and the troop numbers were almost equal on both

sides. The Turks had 60,000 fighting troops – bayonets, as they used to call

them in those days – and the Allies had 70,000. The British already knew from

the Western front that you needed two to three times the number of attacking

forces to have any chance of even breaking into a well-defended enemy in

trenches, let alone breaking through." Ashley Elkins. Chief Historian at Australian War Museum

"We tend to look at it from the Allied side but the Turks certainly had

something to do with our defeat. There's a risk of overlooking the effective and

courageous resistance of the Turkish army. They were very capable, they had

many tricks up their sleeves that the Australians had to learn that they were ex-

perienced and hardened soldiers – more so than most of the Australians. They

had very experienced officers who knew how to command in combat.

That was something Australia also had to learn."

Internet Article - Brendan Nicholson. Austrlaimwar.com.au

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‘Still, it is worth remembering that British

Prime rinister, Winston Churchill was

only responsible for the naval aspects of the

operation. The beach landing strategy came from Lord

Kitchener and Ian Hamilton. There were

benefits elsewhere from keeping the Turks

occupied at Gallipoli. For instance, they were never

able to launch a successful attack on the Suez Canal.

There were also long-term benefits as well. The cam-

paign highlighted the weaknesses of

cooperation between the Allies in 1915, teaching

Churchill and others valuable lessons. Of course, some

of the blame must be laid at Churchill’s feet, and

Churchill realised that. He accepted his fate and left

government to command a battalion on the Western

Front. The experience tested his character and his judg-

ment, but ultimately made him a better leader.

Warren Dockter - British Telegraph Newspaper.

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Separate But Equal: was segregation a disadvantage for black people? Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out how segregation affected American society.

In all of my experience I have never yet found that people of any given city wanted the segregation of white and colored people. In some cities politicians have succeeded in segregating the negro people from their white fellow citizens, but is always difficult to know the true belief of white people because they are afraid of the stigma of being called a, “negro-lover”. Personally I have little belief in the idea that it is necessary to segregate the whites from the blacks. The whites are the dominant race in the South, they control the courts and the government. I have never viewed except with amusement the opinion that white people who live next to negro populations suffer physically, mentally and morally because of their closeness to colored people. The President of the United States and five members of his Cabinet were born in the South; many of them, I am sure, had black “mammies.”I have been in the homes of negroes who live in white neighbourhoods, and I have yet to find any race friction (problem) ; the negro goes about his business, the white man about his. Neither the wives nor the children have the slightest trouble. Put the black man where day by day he sees how the white man keeps his lawns (garden) , how he treats his wife and children, and you will do more real helpful teaching than a whole library of lectures. In sum, segregation is unjust, unnecessary and will only do further division and harm to both whites and blacks.

A newspaper article by Booker T Washington in 1915. He was a black American educator, author and reformer. A

The case for the defenders of segregation rested on four arguments:

• The Constitution did not require white and African American children to attend the same schools.

• Social separation of blacks and whites was a regional custom; the states should be left free to regulate their own social affairs.

• Segregation was not harmful to black people.

• Whites were making a good faith effort to equalize the two educational sys-tems. But because black children were still living with the effects of slavery, it would take some time before they were able to compete with white children in the same classroom.

www.americanhistory.si.edu/brown

The fact, that the separation of the schools was originally made at the request of the col-ored parents, cannot affect the rights of the colored people, or the powers of the school committee. The separation of the schools, so far from being for the benefit of both races, is an injury to both. It tends to create a feeling of degradation (humiliation ) in the blacks, and of prejudice and uncharitableness in the whites. P. W. Chandler, city solicitor, for the defendants. The opinion was delivered at the March term, 1850.

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The Fight to Abolish Slavery: the Middle Passage. Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out about the realities of the riddle Passage.

“I know of no evil that ever existed worse than the tearing of 70,000 or 80,000 persons each year from their native land. If we

tempt the slave traders to sell their fellow creatures to us we may rest assured they will use every method –kidnapping, village

breaking, bloodshed and misery—to supply their victims to us.

Think of 80,000 persons carried away out of their own country. Do you think nothing of their families which are left behind.”

British Prime Minister William Pitt in a debate in the House of Commons in 1792.

(The House of Commons is the place where members of the British Parliament and its elected members meet)

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‘The opinion that the number of slaves were said to be crowded in them is groundless (untrue). On the voyage from Africa to the West Indies, the Negroes are well fed, comfortable and have every attention paid to their health, cleanliness and convenience. When upon deck they

amused themselves with dancing. In short, the voyage from Africa to the West Indies was one of the happiest periods of a negro's life.’ In 1778, British Members of Parliament met to talk about the conditions on board the slave ships. Slave trader Robert Norris was called to give his views.

‘The voyage from Africa to the Americas took between 6 and 8 weeks. Enslaved

Africans were chained together by the hand and the foot, and packed into the small-

est places where there was barely enough room to lie on one’s side. It was here that

they ate, slept, urinated, defecated, gave birth, went insane and died. They had no

idea where they were going, or what was going to happen to them. Slaves were

usually fed once or twice a day. To prevent muscle wastage slaves would be brought

up on deck and told to jump up and down in their chains. Those who refused to

‘dance’ were whipped. It has been estimated that between 9-11 million people were

taken from Africa by European traders and landed alive on the other side of the Atlan-

tic. The average loss was 1 out of 8 of all slaves and it can be estimated that

a further 1½ million Africans lay at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.’ ~

www.recoveredhistories.org/storiesmiddle.php

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Boudicca's Revolt: Queen of the Iceni. Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out what really happened when the Romans fought the Iceni Queen.

“Have no fear of the Romans; for they are not better than us neither in numbers nor in bravery. And here is the proof: they have protected themselves with helmets and breastplates, forts and walls and trenches. They are influenced fear but we follow a plan of rough and ready action. We enjoy such a surplus of bravery, that we regard our tents as safer than their walls and our shields giving

us greater protection than their whole suits of mail. Furthermore, this region is familiar to us and is our ally, but to them it is un-known and hostile. As for the rivers, we swim them naked, whereas they do not cross them easily even with boats. Let us, therefore, go

against them trusting boldly to good fortune. Let us show them that they are hares and foxes trying to rule over dogs and wolves.”.

An account of Boudicca’s speech—written by Roman Historian Cassius Dio in his book: Roman History Published c210 AD

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Part of the Roman army was at Exeter, but its commander refused to come to help fight against Boudicca. Roman Commander Paulinus had to make do with what he could muster - perhaps 10,000 men.

Boudicca may have had ten times more soldiers than the Romans, but the Ro-

mans were well trained. There was a great battle. The only reports of it come

from Roman writers, such as Tacitus. Tacitus says most of the Britons were

killed. Rather than be captured, Boudicca drank poison to kill herself. The Ro-

mans had won. Website: BBC Schools UK.

Roman Historian Suetonius writes that the Romans had an army of about

10,000, while Boudicca had 230,000 soldiers. "The Romans took up a position

with a plain in front and dense woodland behind. Boudica's tribesmen entered

the plain, drawing up their wagons at the back, together with the women and

children, as though in a grandstand. Lured into attack, the Britons were met

first with a shower of javelins, and then by a disciplined assault. Trapped by

their own carts, there was a terrible slaughter of the Britons" It is claimed that

80,000 Britons and 400 Romans were killed during the battle.

Website Article - Spartacus History Educational.

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The Reaction of the USA to Soviet Expansion c 1947 Mission: to analyse, evaluate and compare historical sources to find out how the USA tried to stop the spread of communism.

“The peoples of a number of countries of the world have recently had totalitarian regimes forced upon them in violation of the Yalta agreement ... now, every nation must

choose between alternative ways of life. One way is based upon the will of the majority, free elections, freedom of speech and freedom from political oppression. The second

way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of

personal freedoms. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation. I believe that our help should be primarily eco-

nomic and financial . If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation. Great responsibilities have been

placed upon us by the swift movement of events. I therefore ask the Congress to provide authority for assistance to Greece and Turkey in the amount of $400,000,000 while they repair the

damages of war. It is necessary only to glance at a map to realize that the survival and integrity of the Greek nation are of grave importance in a much wider situation. Confusion and dis-

order might well spread throughout the entire Middle East. The effect will be far reaching to the west as well as to the east.”

US President Harry Truman in a speech to the US Congress, 12th March 1947. (Edited)

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‘On the one hand rarshal Aid was an extremely generous act by the American people. On the other, it was motivated by American self-interest. They wanted to create new markets for American

good. The Americans also remembered the disastrous effects of the De-pression and wanted to do all it could to prevent another worldwide slump. Stalin viewed rarshall Aid with suspicion . After expressing some initial interest he refused to have anything to do with it. He also forbade any of the Eastern bloc states to apply for rarshal Aid. Stalin’s view was that the anti-communist aims behind rarshall Aid would weaken his hold on Eastern Europe. He also felt that the USA was trying to dominate by making countries reliant on the US dollar.’ Historian Ben Walsh, Modern World History.

‘The ruling gang of American imperialists has taken the path of open

expansion, of enslaving weakened capitalist countries. It has hatched new war plans against the Soviet Union. Imitating Hitler, the new aggressors are using blackmail.’ GM Malenkov, a Soviet politician, speaking in 1947 about

the Marshall Plan. Andrei Zhdanov echoed this opinion.

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The First World War Focus: life in the trenches.

ry dear rother,

Have just come through a particularly nasty period (time) . We went into the

trenches on Wednesday night and on Sunday morning at 5am our Artillery com-

menced bombarding the German trenches and after 20 minutes had elapsed we

went over the parapet. ry goodness what a reception the Huns had in store for

us, they simply swept the ground with machine gun fire and shrapnel. Poor old ‘C’

coy. caught it hot and Neuve Chapelle seemed to be a fleabite compared with

this. It was found impossible to make any advance so I dug myself in and awaited

events. It was horrible suspense, as I seemed to be the only man untouched, all

around me, and being personally acquainted (knowing) with each man made

matters worse, in fact, it’s all wrong to call them men, as they were mostly mere

boys. About early afternoon I was hailed from the trench as to whether it was

possible for me to get back. I replied in the affirmative and decided to run the risk

of getting potted on the way. So I commenced crawling on my stomach until

about a few yards from the parapet, then made a spring and rushed headlong

over the top, nearly spoiling the features of a few who happened to be in the

trench and were not expecting me. We were relieved that afternoon, but some of

the fellows did not get in until nightfall and these experienced another bombard-

ment… Billy Hastings is quite fit and the only pal left. We have been resting since

and getting information about the (illegible) but by all reports we shall be up again

soon. No rest for the wicked it is said, and if true we must surely be a bad lot.

What a terrible thing about the Lusitania, and with so many Americans aboard.

Should imagine there will be more trouble. Have received box and letter dated

6th and am most thankful for everything you are all doing for me. (censored.) As

regards the pads, (masks of cotton pads which served as gas masks), all we were

served out with were made ‘on the spot’ and consisted of a piece of gauze and

tape and were steeped in a solution of bicarbonate of soda, prior to this charge. I

lost all my belongings except the Gillette (razor) so should be glad of a few toilet

requisites when next you are sending a parcel. Do not trouble about towel and

perhaps Frank would get me a shaving brush.

rust now close. ruch love to all. From your affectionate son, Dick

Richard Gilson, 12 ray 1915, France. Born: 20 September

1887, Regiment: 4th Seaforth Highlanders, Regiment number: 2076;

200415, Rank: Acting Colour Sergeant, Died: 1961

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As long as you kept your head down you were comparatively safe. I was on sentry duty from 1am to

3am and was instructed to keep a sharp look out. I did not care for the idea of keeping my head

above the trench and looking for beastly Germans, however it had to be done, it was quite uncanny

to watch the enemy trench which appeared somewhat like a black wave and only sixty yards in front, then you

would suddenly see the flash of their rifles and machine guns immediately after would come the report and

nasty thuds on the sandbags which you might be resting against. I fired about five shots at their flashes then

two German shells lodged in the parapet either side of my head leaving about 2 inches between me and cer-

tain death. Our casualties here amounted on the average, to about two per day killed.

British Rifleman: EHC Stewart.

Dear Mr Hunt,

Please accept yourself and convey to the other gentlemen my best thanks for the State Express cigarettes. We

have been in the trenches 10 days up to now, and except for the last two days it has been raining almost

steadily. The result is mud, mud and yet more mud, knee deep in places. But luckily we have long top boots

from trench wear, so that the mud does not worry as much, except that is making our feet as cold as ice. We

have been issued with fur jackets so we can keep our bodies warm. Just now the whole countryside is covered

with snow and moving objects are distinguishable a long distance off. This morning when I was on duty with

the gun I could see the Germans walking down a road away behind their lines. I had several bursts at them

with the gun but they were out of range. Made me damned mad I can tell you seeing the blighters and then

not being able to lay them out. You can’t realise the power one seems to possess when handling a Maxim

(heavy machine gun). Personally I feel as if I could lay out the whole German army. We fire about a couple of

thousand rounds every night into Fritz’s trenches just to keep them quiet. They have been trying to find the

gun, both with their Maxims and with shells, but they’ve not succeed.

Kind regards to everybody.

Yours very sincerely,

Gilbert Williams.

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A Look At Livy: the Roman Historian Mission: to analyse and evaluate historical sources and consider how Titus Livy’s work helps us learn about the Romans.

I have set myself the task of writing a complete history of the Roman people from the very beginning of its existence. I do not know for know if I did this well. Unless, I am wrong, there has never been any nation (country) greater in power, with a purer morality (behaviour) , or more fertile (rich) in good examples than in Rome ; or any state in which greed, or poverty have been kept away for so long. However, in these latter (more recent) years money has brought greed with it, and the unlimited oppor-

tunity for pleasure has created in men a passion for destroying themselves and everything else through self-indulgence ( greed ) and de-pravity ( bad behaviour ). But we should much prefer to start with favourable omens ( signs ) and if we follow the ideas of poetic writing it is pleasanter (nicer) to start by writing kind things for the gods and goddesses.

An extract from the book ‘Ab Urbe Condita’ by Titus Livius (Livy). Livy was a Roman historian and writer. Book written c 29 BC

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Livy was a special Roman historian because he played no part in politics or government. This was a disadvantage (not good ) for him and his work because his exclusion from the Senate meant he had no personal

experience of how the Senate ( government ) worked. This lack of knowledge shows itself from time to time in his work. It also stopped him from having first hand access to important (primary) sources such as records of Senate meetings, and texts of treaties and new laws. Also, if he had been a priest (holy man) he would have more inside information of great historical value and been able to look at the many documents and records of the priestly colleges. The special thing about his books was the fact that he saw and wrote about personal (people) history and what was moral (right and wrong).

www.britannica.com/biography/Livy: 2013

Above all, when thinking about Livy's choice of sources of information, we should remember that he is not an original researcher; his aim was to use reliable facts taken by others and put them into an accurate, reliable book. We can attack his choice in failing to directly use and the earliest written evidence (primary sources) ; but one can also applaud (say well done ) to him for the astute (clever) choice of sources which were the best available for his writing style and patriotic (favourable to Rome) approach, and which were also easily accessible and easier to read and understand.

Article: Livy's use of sources by modern historian Ben Walsh. 2015

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icHistory.com

Did Most Romans Enjoy The Games ? Mission: to analyse and evaluate historical sources to gain a better understanding about how Romans felt about the games.

‘I went to the games one day hoping for some excitement. I was bitterly disappointed. It was really butchery (lots of

killing). ren were thrown to lions and to bears there was no escape for them.. "Kill him! burn him alive" was the cry:

"Why is he such a coward? Why won't he rush (run) on the steel? Why does he fall so meekly ( easily) ? Why won't he

die willingly?" Unhappy that I am I can now choose not to go again. Why must I look on such a scene as this? Do not, my Lucili-

us, attend the games, I pray you. Either you will be corrupted or if you show disgust, be hated by the crowd.. So stay away.’

A letter from Petronius to his nephew Lucilius, AD 62. Petronius was a Roman writer and author.

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All the previous fighting had been merciful by comparison.

Now we have pure murder. The gladiators have no protec-

tive covering; their entire bodies are exposed to the blows.

No blow falls in vain. This is what lots of people prefer to the regular

contests, And it is obvious why. There is no helmet, no shield to

stop the sword . Why have armour? Why bother with skill? All that

just delays death. In the morning, men are thrown to lions and

bears. At mid-day they are thrown to the spectators themselves. No

sooner has a man killed, than they shout for him to kill another, or

to be killed. The final victor is kept for some other slaughter. In the

end, every fighter dies. And all this goes on while the arena is half

empty. You may think that the victims committed robbery or were

murderers. So what? Even if they deserved to suffer, what's your

compulsion to watch their sufferings? Seneca, the Younger ( born

4BC ) was a Roman senator and philosopher. tells of a visit he

once paid to the arena in a letter to a friend.

The Romans loved gladiators. They loved the

men, the weapons, the fighting and the blood.

The great amphitheaters of Rome, like the Col-

osseum, were always full with people, who watched

men fight bloody battles, both with each other and

with a dazzling array of wild and dangerous animals.

It’s not hard to imagine the excitement

www.romanguide.com, 2005.

‘All of the lions were killed as they came out

of the floor. It was not very exciting, as the lions did not

fight like they do when let out of cages. Many of them

unwilling to attack, were killed with arrows without a

fight.’

A Roman writer explain what he saw

when 100 lions were let into the arena.

cAD 60

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icHistory.com