How to Better Understand the History of World War I

Known as the Great War, or "The War to End all Wars," World War I brought human suffering to unimaginable levels, with 8.5 million soldiers killed, 21 million wounded, and 7.7 million missing, or taken prisoner--amid the introduction of terrible new weapons like poison gas. Eleven Allied nations -- led by France, Great Britain and Russia--faced Germany and its Central Powers Allies (Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey) in battles that often did little to alter the outcome dramatically. Understanding these complexities is a daunting task, but can be made easier with a little self-education.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Biographies of relevant figures
• Diaries
• First-hand accounts
• Guidebooks
• Internet sites
• Libraries
• Maps
• Memorials
• Museums
• Special books and collections

UNDERSTANDING WORLD WAR I

1. Start with the Internet by doing searches of basic terms (such as "Central Powers," for example, or "Start of World War I"), and see where those lead. The emphasis should be on finding basic educational websites to understand what led to the conflict, the major players involved, and the main theaters of war.
2. Follow up the initial search with a visit to the local library, historical archive or special collections department -- if one exists -- to seek out specific books that will broaden your understanding. Pay attention to recommendations on sites like encarta.com, which can lead to lesser-known, but equally valuable, accounts and chronicles of the war.
3. Personalize the research with a trip to museums and memorials, with an eye toward gathering more specialized details about the war, and the feelings of those who served in it. Seek books on more specialized subjects -- such as the role of tanks -- to shed light on obscure areas. Don't be intimidated by any technical information, which can be cleared up by asking the museum guides, or further trips to the library.
4. Put together all the competing perspectives, once you've gathered them, and learn to ask hard questions about the information presented--how do the participants' motives square with the historical evidence? Are their descriptions consistent, or self-serving? If the information still seems overwhelming to digest, consult a local author, expert or historian. Write down a list of questions that haven't been answered so far.

Tips & Warnings

• Check if any museums or special exhibits are offered locally, such as in libraries, or historic residences. Sometimes the best resources are right in your own backyard.
• Find out if any ancestors served by using diaries, historical records and other first-person accounts to determine their feelings about the war.
• Involve your children in your research -- but give them the freedom to develop their own interests, which will likely diverge from yours.
• Some websites are more useful than others--watch how basic facts are presented, including dates, names, and places.
• Weigh the participants' statements against the historical evidence as presented in their various accounts. Use other resources -- like archives, or biographies -- to determine the accuracy of those statements.