Supported by over 500 historical sources from across Europe, this resource examines key themes in the history of World War One. Explore a wealth of original source material, over 50 newly-commissioned articles written by historians, teachers' notes and more to discover how war affected people on different sides of the conflict.
Collection items featured on this site have been contributed by Europeana 1914-1918 institutions.
Over 50 articles about World War One, written by leading experts
Themes
Explore the worldwide implications of the war in Origins, outbreak and conclusions; the logistics of military organisation in The war machine; and the realities of warfare in Life of a soldier and in Race, empire and colonial troops. Consider the roles of non-combatants in Civilians, the power of persuasion in Propaganda, creative responses to the war in Representation and memory; and the changing nature of our perceptions of war in Historiography.
Propaganda
How was propaganda used to inspire patriotism, dehumanise the enemy and change opinions?
Read moreLife as a soldier
What was life like for the millions of professional, conscripted or recruited soldiers?
Read moreHistorical debates
How have the views of historians and our understanding of World War One changed over time?
Read moreOrigins, outbreak and conclusions
How did World War One begin? Why did it escalate and what was the impact of both war and peace on the countries involved?
Read moreThe war machine
How were the 65 million men who fought in WWI recruited, armed and organised?
Read moreRace, empire and colonial troops
Over four million non-white men served in WWI. Explore more about their lives and responsibilities.
Read moreRepresentation and memory
In addition to poetry, what were the other creative responses to the War? How have these affected our memory and understanding?
Read moreOver 500 collection items from the British Library and institutions across Europe
Explore manuscripts, illustrations, maps, letters, newspapers and much more…
Treaty of Versailles
Date: 1919
Mother and child wearing gas masks
Date: April, 1918
High prices in Paris
Date: August, 1918
The Dome Hospital
Date: 1915
The Battle of Borjimow, Poland
Date: 1914
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Propaganda Power and Persuasion
Takes a close look at the range of propaganda used by different states – and their opponents.
£19.99
The First World War in Poetry CD
Listen to the work of prestigious poets, including Laurence Binyon, G K Chesterton, Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen
£10.00
Hidden Stories of the First World War
True-life stories which tell the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people who were caught up in the Great War.
£17.99
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