Humans often pride themselves in being civilized and peaceful beings, controlled by rational thought and logic. War, however, brings out the animalistic characteristics of society that are otherwise kept hidden. One of the deadliest conflicts in history, World War I brought out the side of humanity that regularly remains unseen. The utilization of modern technology in warfare resulted in an unprecedented amount of bloodshed and destruction, and those who managed to survive were changed both physically and emotionally. It was thought by some that the war was never going to end, as the number of casualties continued to grow while no side made any progress. But, even when the war did end with the submission of the Central Powers to the Allies
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Many European citizens supported the war while either knowing little of the repercussions of war or ignoring them, with “war fever [gripping] English men and women,” (Russel). As Russel, a pacifistic distinguished mathematician and philosopher, noted, the pro-war attitude was spread through the English citizens as if it were a contagious disease, going from person to person. Propaganda appealed to the patriotic side of individuals and the feeling of duty to one’s country to spread the positive conception of war over Europe. While most soldiers and civilians were already eager to fight for their country and support the war effort with no extra motivation, propaganda gave them extra incentive. The majority of propaganda posters instilled nationalistic ideals through slogans like: “Your Country Needs YOU” (Welch). Such slogans played towards the feeling of obligation of one to his country while also making citizens feel important, for it seemed to them that their country needed them, and only them. Playing towards the aspect of nationalistic duty promoted a pro-war attitude, as patriotism and nationalism were viewed with positivity, and, in turn, caused many men to enlist. Propaganda also demonized the enemies of England with half-truths, giving soldiers another reason to go fight for their country …show more content…
The old trench style warfare made it difficult for either side to gain any ground, as it was difficult for anyone to safely get across ‘no man’s land’ (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). With the new technology of the machine gun able to swiftly shoot down any advancing enemies at a then-revolutionary speed of 600 bullets per minute, rushing ‘no man’s land’ was almost certain death for the soldiers (Duffy). Because no side was able to gain a great amount of land, the war was at a stalemate for a number of months. Another modern invention that brought mass destruction was poison gas, which blinded and choked its victims, caused blistering, and could even destroy a soldier’s internal organs (Otto). The effects of poison gas can be seen in the painting “Gassed” by John Singer Sargent. In the painting, the aftermath of a gas attack is depicted, with wounded men walking through a sea of dead men towards a dressing station (Sargent). According to Anthony R. Hossack, a British soldier during the war who lived through the first gas attack, the men “had no protection whatever against [the gas],” (Hossack). Attacks from poison gas and other modern weaponry such as long range
Many European citizens supported the war while either knowing little of the repercussions of war or ignoring them, with “war fever [gripping] English men and women,” (Russel). As Russel, a pacifistic distinguished mathematician and philosopher, noted, the pro-war attitude was spread through the English citizens as if it were a contagious disease, going from person to person. Propaganda appealed to the patriotic side of individuals and the feeling of duty to one’s country to spread the positive conception of war over Europe. While most soldiers and civilians were already eager to fight for their country and support the war effort with no extra motivation, propaganda gave them extra incentive. The majority of propaganda posters instilled nationalistic ideals through slogans like: “Your Country Needs YOU” (Welch). Such slogans played towards the feeling of obligation of one to his country while also making citizens feel important, for it seemed to them that their country needed them, and only them. Playing towards the aspect of nationalistic duty promoted a pro-war attitude, as patriotism and nationalism were viewed with positivity, and, in turn, caused many men to enlist. Propaganda also demonized the enemies of England with half-truths, giving soldiers another reason to go fight for their country …show more content…
The old trench style warfare made it difficult for either side to gain any ground, as it was difficult for anyone to safely get across ‘no man’s land’ (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). With the new technology of the machine gun able to swiftly shoot down any advancing enemies at a then-revolutionary speed of 600 bullets per minute, rushing ‘no man’s land’ was almost certain death for the soldiers (Duffy). Because no side was able to gain a great amount of land, the war was at a stalemate for a number of months. Another modern invention that brought mass destruction was poison gas, which blinded and choked its victims, caused blistering, and could even destroy a soldier’s internal organs (Otto). The effects of poison gas can be seen in the painting “Gassed” by John Singer Sargent. In the painting, the aftermath of a gas attack is depicted, with wounded men walking through a sea of dead men towards a dressing station (Sargent). According to Anthony R. Hossack, a British soldier during the war who lived through the first gas attack, the men “had no protection whatever against [the gas],” (Hossack). Attacks from poison gas and other modern weaponry such as long range