It’s Christmas 1914. It’s the first world war, and Germany and France/UK oppose each other in trenches at a gruesome front. I’d like to quote a letter from Henry Williamson, a 19 year-old private from the British forces.
Dear Mother, I am writing from the trenches. It is 11 o’clock in the morning. Beside me is a coke fire, opposite me a ‘dug-out’ (wet) with straw in it. The ground is sloppy in the actual trench, but frozen elsewhere. In my mouth is a pipe presented by the Princess Mary. In the pipe is tobacco. Of course, you say. But wait. In the pipe is German tobacco. Haha, you say, from a prisoner or found in a captured trench. Oh dear, no! From a German soldier. Yes a live German soldier from his own trench. Yesterday the British & Germans met & shook hands in the Ground between the trenches, & exchanged souvenirs, & shook hands. Yes, all day Xmas day, & as I write. Marvellous, isn’t it?
Reading quotes like these and diving into the first world war, I find so much perspective. Moreover, I see an opportunity for changing the way we teach history to our peers and children.
Because what I was taught to learn (this was on the test) in history class were things like dates, conquerors, losers, shifts in power, battles and events.
But this polarizes any situation.
What I now see as a grand opportunity to learn and teach (as I’m doing now) are things like moral, ethics, mindset, romance, ingenuity, compassion, perspective, thoughtfulness, selflessness, fear and bravery.
This is what brings opposing any opposing force (even now) together.