Introduction

Enlisting in the army during World War I was one thing, actually experiencing the war first-hand was quite another. In this topic we learn about what life was like on the battlefields and the effects that experiencing warfare first-hand had on the soldiers who went out to fight. We also learn about what experiencing the Great War was like for the population of Britain that the soldiers left behind on the ‘Home Front’. Remember to read the content carefully before attempting any activities.

Working through your coursebook

Pages 34 to 39 offer a detailed overview of WW1. Either challenge yourself to make concise notes on the materials featured on these pages or complete the ‘Over to You’ sections.
Read page 40 and aim to confidently define shell shock and desertion.
Did you know WW1 led to the development of plastic surgery? Find out more by researching the consequences of WW1 on medicine. Complete the Consequences section on page 45.
Pages 46 to 49 give us the opportunity to learn about soldiers from the Empire. Read through these pages and complete the ‘Over to You’ section on page 49.

Interactive Kerboodle Activities

Log into Kerboodle and complete these activities to further support and reinforce your learning.

This analysis of WW1 recruitment posters will help you entrench your source skills as well as prepare you for your assignment:

COMPLETE - 2.2 History Skills: Source Analysis (Kerboodle)

This film clip will help you imagine what a trench was really like:

WATCH - 2.3A Film Clip: Trench (Kerboodle)

This excellent chronology activity helps you organise your knowledge of key battles:

COMPLETE - 2.3A History Skills: Chronology (Kerboodle)

Check how secure you are in the facts about soldiers of the empire:

COMPLETE - 2.7B History Skills: Knowledge and understanding (Kerboodle)

Extension activity for this topic

Complete the Source Analysis section on page 35. Remember that we do have an advice document for source questions.
Although a sad topic, many of you might like to complete an investigation on the death of Harry Farr. Use pages 40 to 43 and present your finding to your observer about his tragic death.

Optional resources

ActiveHistory has an excellent simulation on trench warfare. Give it a go!

COMPLETE - Trenches (ActiveHistory)

If you have the time, this documentary is outstanding, dealing with the course of the war and the experiences of soldiers:

WATCH - Boy Soldiers in the Trenches (YouTube)

This great set of photos showcases the lives of Indian regiments in WW1. Very interesting!

EXPLORE - Indian Regiments in World War One (Imperial War Museum)