Hiro Wang

Inside the reusable Maconochie’s tin (a widely used food ration for British soldiers during WW1), lies letters, photos, and personal belongings of Jack Symons, a fictional British soldier who had died on the 9th of January, 1915, fighting the Germans on the front. All of the components within the artifact was carefully thought through and crafted by artist, Hiro Wang, in order to allow the students and teachers of grade 10 to have a better understanding how the average WW1 soldier’s view of the war changed as battles progressed. 

Wang believes that the average soldier during that time had three distinct views on the war; one before battle, during battle, and after battle (in the trenches). Before the battle, majority of the volunteers who enlisted, viewed war as an adventure and a place where patriotism, courage, and heroism could be proudly shown. He does have a valid reason for this claim: “Soldiers had this type of view on the war because the propaganda posters made them think that way by painting a false image.” These young, lively men were gripped by patriotic fervor and sought escape from grim conditions at home. However, as soldiers battled in the front, they quickly realized that war wasn’t some fun adventure or place that had better living conditions than home. Life in the trenches took a toll on the soldiers both physically and mentally, and their view on the war had changed almost immediately. This claim made by Wang is reliable , as it can be supported by the millions of letters sent home from the front. Finally, after the soldiers had battled and experienced the real horrors of war, many soldiers questioned the war and had feelings of resentment towards high officers and war ministers, the ones that made the wrong people do the fighting. Wang believes major events such as the christmas truce help support the soldiers’ third view of the war. 

By carefully reading and viewing the artifacts inside of what Jack Symons, a fictional soldier that represented other innocent lives during WW1, the audience can connect to “the average soldier” on a personal level to get a better understanding of the disturbing yet interesting phycological cycle soldiers went though.

out among themselves. Whoever survives, his country wins. That would be much simpler and more just than this arrangement, where the wrong people do the fighting" (21)

Why I believe my questions are important?

My inquiry question is important as I believe it if focuses on a topic that has not been talked about enough and therefore has not been fully answered. The question allows us to have a better understanding of the emotions and perspectives of soldiers during specific time frames of WW1, and again, reminds us of the detrimental effects war had on soldiers’ lives.

I believe that the average soldier during that time had three distinct views on the war; one before battle, during battle, and after battle. Therefore, I dedicated each of my 3 supporting questions to each of these time frames. This was my thought process when I came up with my supporting question: What made millions of soldiers want to volunteer in the war during that time? - Propaganda posters. Propaganda posters were used to make men think of the war in a certain way, so that means the views soldiers had on the war must have been illustrated on the propaganda posters. With this question, I am able to narrow down my research.

My second supporting question is very straightforward. It is important as it allows me to focus on a crucial primary source. 

Finally, my third supporting question is important, as it focuses on a controversial topic of soldiers questioning the war at the time.

Possible Artifacts?

A museum video that shows the phycological cycle of soldiers joining and getting out of the war. 

Keitch, Charlie. "10 Photos Of Life In The Trenches." Imperial War Museums. N.p., 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

Remarque, Erich Maria, 1898-1970. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York :Fawcett Crest, 1975. Print.

Hille, Katherine. "What Was It like in Towns and Rural Areas?" BBC News. BBC, 11 Apr. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

Johnson, Alan. "How Did 12 Million Letters Reach WW1 Soldiers Each Week?" BBC IWonder. BBC, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

Keitch, Charlie. "First World War Recruitment Posters." Imperial War Museums. N.p., 29 Aug. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

Keitch, Charlie. "10 Photos Of Life In The Trenches." Imperial War Museums. N.p., 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

King, John. "Letters from the First World War, 1915." The National Archives. The National Archives, 18 Oct. 2017. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

Remarque, Erich Maria, 1898-1970. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York :Fawcett Crest, 1975. Print.

Staff, History.com. "The Christmas Truce." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2017.

(Should be in hanging indent form but is not possible with this padlet)

Collin:

Calvin: