WWI TRENCH LETTER:
The assessment for the unit on WWI is called “A Letter from a Trench.” Your
job is to imagine yourare in a WWI Trench about to go “Over the Top,” and you are
writing an account home about your experiences as a soldier. The letter should
successfully complete the following components:
1. Authenticity – The letter should look and read like a real letter might – When
I read it should be believable that it was written in 1914-18 by a soldiers in
this position
2. Accuracy – The letter should identify, explain, and synthesize a specific battle
that you are fighting in. You may choose the country and the battle but you
must research that battle and include accurate information in the letter – There
are websites listed below along with text readings given in class that will be
helpful in your research – 3 sources minimum!
3. Explanatory – The soldier may be writing something that is his last chance to
explain why he joined this war and what he is fighting for. Include the causes
of war in your explanation as the soldier attempts to justify his decision to his
family back home.
4. Geography – Clear (Hand Drawn) map of where you are located who you are
fighting with and against
5. Technology – The type of equipment that you have on you as you brace for
attack.
6. Primary source evidence – from the packet given in class and personal
research – you must use information from the readings and write descriptively
about life in the trenches
There is no one formula for a soldiers letter home –The letter should be a minimum of
three pages long, be handwritten, and sincere.
Due: Rough Draft _____________________________________
Final Draft _____________________________________
100 points
www.pbs.org/greatwar/
www.fidnet.com/~weid/ww1.html
http://www.globalhistory.net/WWI.html (use link to BBC: Anniversary of Great War)
www.worldwar1.com/tgws/ (great WWI Links)
www.firstworldwar.com
World War I and Trench War
Bibliography of Library Resources
Books:
305 VOI
Voices of War: Stories of Service from the Home Front and Front Lines.
(National Geographic)
R940.3 GRO
v.3 1915: The Lines are Drawn (Trench warfare) . Multivolume set to cover World
War 1.
R 940.3 WOR
World War I
UXL World War I: Almanac, Primary Sources and Biographies. Multivolume set on
R 940.3 HIS
History of World War I. Three volume set on World War I.
R940.3 AME
The American Heritage History of World War I.
R973.03 DIC
Dictionary of American History (available in Gale Virtual Reference Library as well)
Databases:
US at War (ABC-CLIO) www.socialstudies.abc-clio.com Database on all school computers and available
at home
using URL and passwords. www.socialstudies.abc-clio.com
Can’t post passwords online but they are: Username: hhhs Password: hhhs
American History (ABC-CLIO) Same as above.
Gale Online: Students Resources in Context http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/hatterslib
At home: password: welcome
Using the Library Catalog’s Webpath Express:
www.destiny.hatboro-horsham.org
Sign in to the high school library’s database at the top of high school’s webpage
Select WebPath Express and type in your topic, i.e., Trench Warfare.
Results:
How do I...
trench w arfare
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Web Sites
 Titles
WebPath Express results for (trench warfare)
[Refine your search]
Selected List:
Islam--Gilman
Middle & High
Displaying 1 - 17 out of 17
Trench Warfare
All Domains
Grade Level:
A thorough description of trench warfare introduces you to an article that explains
the evolution of this particular military strategy and also its demise. You will
discover what trench warfare was like prior to and during the nineteenth century
through descriptions and examples. You will find a detailed description of a typical
trench system used during World War I, learn how these trenches were utilized
during times of war, and find out what elements of the trenches were crucial. There
is also information on trench warfare in later years, although much of the modern
warfare was mobile.
Topic: World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.history.com
Grade Level:
Trench Warfare
This encyclopedia article explains how trench warfare became important in World
War I even though trenches had been used for warfare in many previous wars. It
explains how, in a sense, soldiers became immobile and miles of trenches were dug
and guarded with barbed wire. A long list of new methods and weapons is provided
along with lines of filed fortifications built by the French and the Germans. The
reason for the shift away from trench warfare in World War II is explained and
similarities to the Korean War are mentioned as well.
Topic: World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.factmonster.com
Grade Level:
Trench Warfare
Find out what life was life was like for soldiers on the Western Front in this article on
trench warfare. You will learn how men had different experiences and were treated
differently according to their rank, but soldiers in general followed a basic routine in
the trenches that changed from day to night. The article addresses the issue of
boredom, food, and appalling living conditions. You will also discover how conditions
in the trenches changed depending on the season and although different, they were
all still horrible.
Topic: World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk
Grade Level:
The Trenches: Symbol of the Stalemate
When World War I ended there were 12,000 miles of trenches dug by each side.
This is a phenomenal number that reflects a time in which trench warfare was
utilized by both sides. At this site you will learn about the four trenches the Allies
constructed, as well as what the German trenches were like. No man's land is the
area between the two fronts and is described here. To find more information about
strategies in the trenches visit this site.
Topic: Intrenchments, World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.pbs.org
Grade Level:
Gallipoli: What Was the Gallipoli Campaign?
One of the aspects of World War I was trench warfare. Trench warfare was a system
of trenches built by opposing armies. Both sides would attack each other,
sometimes winning, sometimes losing. The system was not very effective, and little
progress was made. The article on this page is about the Gallipoli Campaign, an
attempt to "end the stalemate that characterized trench warfare on the Western
Front by the beginning of 1915". For almost one year, the British and French battled
the enemy. Read this article to learn the outcome of the Gallipoli Campaign.
Topic: World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns, World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.iwm.org.uk
Grade Level:
The Battle of the Somme
Trench Warfare on the Western Front during World War I was awful, and thousands
of soldiers who fought from them died. The Battle of the Somme involved Britain's
Fourth Army, led by General Rawlinson. It was expected to be a great success
against the Germans. On this site, you can read about the twelve battles of the
Somme, which took place between July and November 1916. There are many maps
and photographs in this slide show.
Topic: Battles--History, World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns, World War, 19141918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.cwgc.org
Grade Level:
Life in the Trenches
The idea of trenches actually started during the Civil War in the United States, as
well as other wars. The front lines of World War I were fought in the trenches. Up to
400 miles of trenches stretched from Switzerland to the North Sea during the war.
To learn more about what the trenches were like, the living conditions, and trench
routine visit this site. There are also diagrams of a defensive line, fire trench, and a
fire trench in wet soil.
Topic: Intrenchments, World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.1914-1918.net
Grade Level:
Trench System
This site will give you a detailed description of what trenches were like during World
War I. It was the Germans that first built trenches to protect themselves from the
military advance of the French and British troops. Trenches were approximately six
feet wide by seven feet deep. A more detailed description of the construction of a
trench can be found here along with diagrams. There also excerpts of letters and
newspaper articles that give a detailed description of what the trenches were like.
Simply click on an underlined blue word or phrase to learn more about it.
Topic: Intrenchments, World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
Four Weeks in the Trenches: The War Story of a Violinist by
Fritz Kreisler
Grade Level:
During a respite following a modestly successful concert season (1889-90),
Austrian-American violinist Fritz Kreisler studied medicine and art and then served
as an officer in the Austrian army (1895-96). He reestablished his performance
career in 1898 but was called into service again at the beginning of World War I
(1914). His account of his tour, begins, "In trying to recall my impressions during
my short war duty as an officer in the Austrian Army, I find that my recollections of
this period are very uneven and confused." The complete text of the autobiography
is reproduced here with seven images.
Topic: Kreisler, Fritz,--1875-1962, World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare
URL: http://www.lib.byu.edu
Grade Level:
Warfare
Throughout history, the methods of warfare have changed. These methods are
dependent upon different things, such as strategies and tactics, types of weapons
used, types of communication available, and the types of transportation available.
Some of the different methods of warfare used throughout history include chemical
warfare, biological warfare, trench warfare, guerrilla warfare, amphibious warfare,
and air force. To learn more about warfare and read more about each one of the
different types, explore this web site.
Topic: Warfare, Conventional
URL: http://www.factmonster.com
Grade Level:
Weapons that Changed Warfare
This brief encyclopedia article discusses weapons that changed warfare. Catapults,
crossbows, and cannons revolutionized warfare in ancient and medieval times.
Hurling stones, arrows, and gunpowder, these weapons could fire great distances.
Discover when machine guns and tanks were first used and how they eliminated
reloading and trench warfare. Learn about the development of combat aircraft and
nuclear weapons during World War II and their potential for widespread destruction.
Investigate smart bombs, or guided munitions, and how they work.
Topic: Military weapons
URL: http://www.factmonster.com
Grade Level:
Knitting for Victory -- World War I
Americans during World War I were encouraged to knit socks and other clothing for
American soldiers for the war effort. Thousands of volunteers created hundreds of
thousands of items to be distributed by the Red Cross, which provided patterns and
yarn and encouraged non-knitters to buy yarn for knitters. Wool wristlets and socks
were essential for the wet and cold conditions of trench warfare. The boots worn by
soldiers necessitated two pairs of socks and frequent sock changes. Women and
men knitted at home, church, and during social events. Boys and girls were taught
to knit washcloths and then socks.
Topic: Knitting
URL: http://www.historylink.org
Grade Level:
Sir Douglas Haig
This experienced and traditional general commanded the British Expeditionary Force
during World War I. Sir Douglas Haig was looking for a breakthrough battle.
Although he adopted new weapons, he showed a lack of creativity in trench warfare.
The battles he led were epic episodes of carnage and yet he helped the Allies
achieve victory over Germany. Haig resented Canada's insistence that their troops
fight together instead of being scattered as reinforcements. Accused of attrition, he
depended on relentless offensives to wear down the enemy.
Topic: Haig, Douglas,--Sir,--1861-1928
URL: http://www.warmuseum.ca
Grade Level:
Son Defends Haig's Role at Somme
Ninety years after the historic battle at Somme, the son of Field Marshal Douglas
Haig was still defending his father's actions. Haig was considered a war hero at the
time but later historians saw only the vast number of casualties in the battle. Some
appreciate his contributions but others see it as a war of attrition. The leadership
Haig provided during World War I was essential to a British victory over Germany.
Trench warfare combined with devastating weapons made frontal assaults necessary
but deadly.
Topic: Haig, Douglas,--Sir,--1861-1928
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Grade Level:
Remarque, Erich Maria
This German novelist was once known as Erich Paul Remark. Better known as Erich
Maria Remarque, he wrote Im Western Nichts Neues or All Quiet on the Western
Front. This masterpiece of German literature showed trench warfare with grim
realism. Although the book was burned in his home country, it became
internationally popular. A sequel called The Road Home described the difficulties of
postwar life in Germany. Remarque continued to write novels even though he left
his home country.
Topic: Remarque, Erich Maria,--1898-1970, Remarque, Erich Maria,--1898-1970.-Im Westen nichts Neues.--English
URL: http://www.factmonster.com
Grade Level:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Get a glimpse of the gruesome realities of World War I with this popular German
novel. All Quiet on the Western Front was written by Erich Remarque. The narrator
of the story is a German teenager who chose to enlist based on patriotic myths.
Even basic training is brutal and the young soldiers soon lose their idealism as their
friends die in war. Find out if Paul survives the war and the horrors of trench
warfare. A biography of the author, an analysis of the story and characters, and
essays on style and symbolism are included in this literature guide.
Topic: Remarque, Erich Maria,--1898-1970, Remarque, Erich Maria,--1898-1970.-Im Westen nichts Neues.--English
URL: http://www.cliffsnotes.com
Hantaviruses
Grade Level:
Diseases associated with hantaviruses are not new. They have existed in Asia for
1000 years. They existed during the Korean War and during other wars where trench
warfare was used. The Asian virus damages capillaries and causes hemorrhages and
possibly renal failure. The outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease
which causes severe respiratory distress, in the Four Corners region of the United
States in 1993 renewed scientific study of the viruses. Mice, rats, and voles can be
carriers of the viruses.
Topic: Hantavirus infections, Hantaviruses