The 2016 Brexit debate in a nutshell............ oh wait sorry its how did WW1 start lol

[The perfect fumble]

Not everything, but there is a certain amount that is.

History is used to perpetuate national myth, it emboldens the myths, the little ships of Dunkirk being a prime example. Dunkirk is portrayed as a victory of British pluck against German might, when it was a defeat, we got hammered, it never even went to penalties.

The Blitz spirit often invoked by mainly right wing politicians ignores the fact Churchill and the Royal family were booed in East End of London. It ignores the fact there 60,000 conscientious objectors in London alone.

These add towards the profile of a Little Englander, to British exceptionalism. These are the myths that fuel their nationalism and add value to the capitalism as being the British way of life.

Then you need more history not less, myth can't survive the harsh light of critical analysis.

 

[patrickkinney]

Thanks for this.

I'd never really thought about the parameters you operate under in teaching children about great events, like the First World War.

I'd be interested to know what angle you take, I ask this with no hidden agenda as I'm genuinely interested.

I thought I had given that! Were you asking me about something else?

One thing that is absolutely set in stone as a teacher is this: we give the children information, but we don't ever pass on our own views or opinions - especially political ones. That is a big 'No-No'. Having said that, last year I did some work with much younger children and I taught them this sentence: 'Manchester City are the best football team in the world.' But really, I probably shouldn't have and my Teaching Assistant, a Liverpool fan, wasn't very happy!

As I said, Blackadder IV can be a useful teaching resource, BUT only if taught correctly, the children first need to know about 'dark humour' and the British tradition of laughing in the face of adversity.

Many years ago I read this book: 'Don't Cry for Me, Sergeant-Major':



It's a squaddies account of the Falklands War and it's both hilarious and horrific. It also shows that this idea of 'WWII good, WWI bad' is not to be perpetuated - all wars are bad.

As regards the history of WWI and WWII I actually think in the future historians will just write and think about 'The War'. A four year war in '14-'18 and then 21 years of peace, but then a continuation of the war from '39-'45.

I say this because the seeds of World War 2 were sown in the aftermath of World War One: the Treaty of Versailles, the reparations and the constraints put on Germany in 1919. Furthermore, the belief that Germany had been 'stabbed in the back' was used by Hitler to his advantage, to become the 'populist leader' of the day, in that country.

To go back to the original op, I think part of the humour in that Blackadder snippet (how did WW1 start?) is to do with the fact the origins of WW1 are so bloody complicated. I'm not 'thick' yet I doubt I could explain it without a sneaky peek at wikipedia. Luckily in Primary school we are more concerned with the 'bigger picture' & how to do a piece of creative writing using that topic, not the complex politics of Europe in 1913-14.

 

[Ifwecouldjust.......]

I say this because the seeds of World War 2 were sown in the aftermath of World War One: the Treaty of Versailles, the reparations and the constraints put on Germany in 1919. Furthermore, the belief that Germany had been 'stabbed in the back' was used by Hitler to his advantage, to become the 'populist leader' of the day, in that country.

Very similar to the language that we are hearing now around Brexit..... The Eu are being inflexible, stabbing us in the back, punishing us etc etc etc

Same rhetoric.

 

[bluethrunthru]

considering this was a tongue in cheek ref to Brexit using Blackadder as a conduit I am amazed its gone 5 pages !

 

[johnnytapia]

Very similar to the language that we are hearing now around Brexit..... The Eu are being inflexible, stabbing us in the back, punishing us etc etc etc

Same rhetoric.

Yes, the conflation between Nazi Germany and Britain in 2021 is absolutely pin accurate. And will no doubt lead to the extermination of 6 million Jews. Same rhetoric...

 

[Vic]

Yes, the conflation between Nazi Germany and Britain in 2021 is absolutely pin accurate. And will no doubt lead to the extermination of 6 million Jews. Same rhetoric...

Except Hitler had a case about Versailles.

The rhetoric against the EU was entirely confected.