The Great War
Adolf Hitler in World War 1
Most learners are already familiar with the horror wreaked by Adolf Hitler during World War II, but few may understand the impact the Great War had on him. Hitler felt his time at the front for Germany during the Great War were some of...
The Great War
The Last Tsar of Russia - Nicholas II
Was he a ruthless leader and failed military commander? Or a political martyr and king? Historians continue to debate the legacy of Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who was the last of the Romanov line to rule Russia. An interesting video...
The Great War
Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf - Strategic Mastermind or War Monger?
Was he the mastermind of war or a military genius? Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf, who led the Austrian-Hungarian army, is one of the most important figures of World War I. However, his case for war ultimately caused the death of the...
The Great War
The Author of All Quiet on The Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque
considered one of the great anti-war novels, All Quiet on the Western Front details the experiences of Erich Maria Remarque on the German front. In addition, Remarque collected stories from other soldiers to paint a picture of the...
The Great War
Winston Churchill - First Lord Of The Admiralty
Winston Churchill is a larger-than-life figure, designated by the BBC as the most important figure of the twentieth century. Yet, his political career began long before World War II, and it was marked with failure. A well-rounded...
The Great War
The German Painter Who Fought In The Trenches - Otto Dix
Otto Dix wanted to show the ghastliness of war, and his paintings were so controversial that Adolf Hitler later banned them. Dix's artwork was so important to him that he refused to leave Germany, even when he was labeled as degenerate...
The Great War
The Tragic Downfall Of The Lion Of The Isonzo - Svetozar Borojević
Was Svetozar Borojevic thick-headed ... or a military genius? While he was the most prominent Slav in the Austrian-Hungarian army, why is he not remembered for his role in the Great War? Young historians consider these questions after...
The Great War
Josip Broz Tito in World War 1
While Josip Broz Tito was the father of Yugoslavia, his service in some of the most gory moments of World War I shaped his world view. Tito's time in the army—fighting for Austria-Hungary—made him a critic of the monarchy and...
The Great War
Russia's Finest General - Aleksei Brusilov
Russian General Aleksei Brusilov served both the tsar and revolutionary Russia. His massive offensive racked up deaths and broke through the Austria-Hungarian line. An insightful video explores how Brusilov's military career parallels a...
The Great War
The Architect Of The Battle of the Somme - Douglas Haig
Douglas Haig, the British Field marshal during World War I, was known as both a national hero and butcher. His decisions directly led to the large numbers of deaths in the trenches, but Haig was driven by the quest for a great victory...
The Great War
The Best Sniper Of World War 1 - Francis Pegahmagabow
While he wasn't even considered a Canadian citizen, France Pegahmagabow had the greatest number of kills of any sniper during World War I. After the war, Pegahmagabow went on to lobby for greater rights for the members of the First...
The Great War
The Lion of Africa - Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
While African colonial holdings were supposed to be neutral during the Great War, German military leader Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck used them as a pawn in World War I. Initially seen as a German hero, historians are reconsidering von...
The Great War
The Father Of Poison Gas - Fritz Haber
His scientific work led to millions of deaths in gas attacks during World War I and in the concentration camps of World War II. Yet, Fritz Haber's innovations in crop fertilizer also helped feed the world. Haber's complicated story...
The Great War
Socialist and Front Soldier - Louis Barthas
The countless deaths of the Great War are often unimaginable to young learners. Examining the life and writings of Louis Barthas, however, paints a picture of life in the trenches. Show your pupils what life was like as a poilu, or...
The Great War
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Father of Lord of The Rings
Best known as the author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien may have used some of his trench warfare experiences to create Middle Earth. While the trilogy is not entirely autobiographical, many scholars agree that...
The Great War
The First Soldier of Belgium - King Albert
While Belgium was largely occupied by the Germans during World War I, its king, Albert, is still considered a national hero. After holding back the Germans to buy precious time for the Allies, Albert worked tirelessly to protect his...
The Great War
Dancer, Lover, Spy - Mata Hari
Femme fatale? German spy? French spy? Mata Hari's origin story and her espionage during World War I are clouded by the legends surrounding her. With more recently declassified documents, historians have a better understanding of her role...
The Great War
Edith Cavell - Not A Martyr But A Nurse
Was British nurse Edith Cavell a spy? Just doing her job? A martyr and saint? Perhaps all of the above? Edith Cavell was executed by a hastily arranged firing squad for helping wounded British soldiers in German-occupied Belgium during...
The Great War
From Socialist to Fascist - Benito Mussolini in World War 1
While Benito Mussolini made his mark as the Italian fascist dictator during World War II, his experiences during the Great War formed his beliefs. An informative video traces the complex narrative, covering Mussolini's early life, his...
The Great War
Defender of Gallipoli - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is considered the Father of the Turks, and his picture is still proudly displayed in homes and businesses throughout modern Turkey. Despite being a symbol of Turkish identity, Ataturk didn't begin formal schooling...
The Great War
The Forgotten War Heroine - Milunka Savic
While she was forgotten for much of the twentieth century, historians rediscovered Milunka Savic's exploits for the Serbian army during World War I. Although command was unsure of what to do with a female solider, Savic went on to prove...
The Great War
Colonial Glory And World War 1 Reality - British Field Marshal John French
Despite the violence of the colonial era, Great Britain was not prepared for the sheer volume of casualties in the Great War. British Field Marshal John French was one of the first to direct Britain's fight, but he was dismissed when the...
The Great War
Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria could have been a successful leader, but his aspirations for war led him to eventual exile. Bulgaria—part of the Balkan powder keg—has a complicated history. Unravel the events to help your budding historians...
The Great War
The Merchant of Death - Basil Zaharoff
He was so violent and ruthless that he continues to inspire the bad guy in pop culture. Despite that, Basil Zaharoff, or The Merchant of Death, is still relatively unknown among most young historians. Zarahoff, an arms dealer, created a...