Were the people enthusiastic about going to war? Did Europe slide into the war? What is up with the so-called stab-in-the-back legend? There are plenty of myths and images of history revolving around the First World War. What comes to your mind when you think about the ’primal catastrophe of the 20th century’? How do images differ between France, Germany, Poland and Hungary today?
In our workshop we would like to explore all the different history images of the First World War, as well as finding out how they arise. Furthermore we want to figure out how this relates to us today. At the end of the workshop we will know: Even though the past is gone, our history is still present to this very day. History is made and written continuously.
Therefore, you should collect myths and ideas regarding the First World War in your respective home country in advance. It may be a survey (audio or video footage), a photograph or a symbol that you associate with the war. Tell us your ‘stories’ about the First World War.
After listening to a presentation by a historian, we will visit various memorial sites in small groups accompanied by an expert. What kind of history images will we encounter there (at the museum, at the military cemetery or the war memorial)? What do all those sites tell us about the war and possible historical constructions? Afterwards we will report about our experiences to one another.
You will also find a video box that is freely accessible on the grounds of the HistoryCampus where you will be able to record video statements to certain questions: ‘Why are you part of the HistoryCampus?’ or ‘What comes to our mind when you think of the First World War?’
We will later view these statements and discuss them together. The video footage will be used to make a short film, which will be shown at the closing event. Furthermore we would like to publish the short film on the YouTube channel of the Federal Agency for Civic Education/ bpb as well as on our website.
Workshop speakers:
Miriam Vogel, Federal Agency for Civic Education, Bonn
Gábor Polyák, University of Pécs / NGO Mérték Media Monitor, Hungary
Thomas Großbölting, historian, University of Münster