On the 100th anniversary of its end, we remember the

people of WWI, and the deeper lessons it can teach us

The other day when I was explaining to my friend over dinner about what I would be writing for
my archway article, I explained that the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I was this
year and that I would write something about it. Her reply? “I hate guys that talk about war.” Of
course I, a guy talking about war, was taken aback. She went on, “Like one person I know, they
just talk about the battles and the strategies they used, and I hate it.” As a history lover, I have
definitely talked about WWI battles, as well as how it started, and how they fought it. Honestly
though, she was right. She said she likes talking history as well, just not the wars, and it got me
thinking. When people talk about wars, they talk about the battles, the bloodshed, the politics, the
weapons, etc. However, they hardly ever seem to talk about what really drives a war; the people.

After what my friend said, I realized a newspaper history lesson was not the way people would
care about WWI, nor how it could be relatable to anyone. So I instead got the idea that WWI,
and any war in general, needs to be about more than just the tactical talk. It needs to be looked at
as a learning experience. So, for the people who hate to talk about war like my friend, you make
a great point. It’s not about the tactical talk. It should be about what we can learn and apply.
History should teach us, not just be a talking point and the source for epic historical movies.

Who were the people of World War I? They were young men who wanted to live. They were
kids pulled from all over the world and forced to go to places that some probably could not even
point out on a globe. This was a war raged by powerful, angry men and the little guys were
forced into the game. The war was a display of humanity getting in its own way. However, it is
also a very real story of how humanity can come together, despite the greatest of odds. It is a
story that shows that hate will breed hate, and that empathy is incredibly important to the way
humans should deal with each other when conflict arises.

Saying humanity could come together during a war may seem like an oxymoron, but it is a very
real thing that happened. During December, 1914, the Pope called for a ceasefire to celebrate the
holiday of Christmas. The leaders of both sides rejected this idea. However, the men in the
trenches had other plans. On the morning of December 25th, Christmas day, the German soldiers
climbed out of their trenches and advanced across the deadly no-man’s-land. They walked
toward Allied lines, unarmed and calling out “Merry Christmas” in English. The Allies thought it
was a trick, but they saw the unarmed soldiers and decided to join them. They shook hands with
their enemy and suddenly, the war was gone. The hate was gone. Suddenly, there was an
understanding. The two sides exchanged cigarettes and food. Instead of gunfire, the sound of
Christmas carols filled the air. They even played a friendly game of soccer. The war had left the
Western Front, and in its place was a bond of humanity, as well as the spirit of peace and
goodwill. They were fighting a war, but not each other.

Sadly, the Christmas truce was never repeated. After that Christmas day, any attempts at a truce
like the one then would have ended with yelling from military leaders. After 1914, the war went
on for about 4 more long years. More men died, more politics was discussed, and nothing was
truly won. Eventually, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, the
Armistice was signed, and the Great War was over. There seemed to be a clear way to deal with
Germany. President Wilson caught on and tried to prevent it with his 14 points, but was
dismissed. The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty of pure hate. It was a retaliation by the Allies
against their enemy, namely the Germans. They demanded too much, later sending Germany
spiraling into ruin, which of course led to World War II. The problem here wasn’t just the
politics. It was the people. An idea has no real power unless there are people to back it. The
treaty to end WWI was built on hate and revenge. The Allies had no empathy towards their
enemy. They had no thoughts about the future, and focused on the then and the there.

Some people hate talking about war, but there is more to it than the tactical talk. Look at our
country now. Look how divided we are. Look at the hate being spewed around and the terrible
actions that follow them. We are a united country, but we have people of all races, religions,
genders, sexualities, and ways of thinking. If the armies of the Allies and the Germans, who were
at war, can come together to celebrate with their fellow man, why can’t we? We are a nation of
differences, and of course there are going to be disagreements. They are inevitable, they are a
part of natural communication and progress. However, that does not mean we can act in hate.
One side should not just lash out in the moment, and think nothing about the future. The Treaty
of Versailles solved nothing. It fixed nothing. It was one of the reasons the horrors of the 30s and
40s were able to come to fruition. Hate breeds hate. Lack of empathy leads to hateful and one-
sided arguments. So this Thanksgiving, be thankful you are not forced into conflict, but rather we
can choose what we stand for. Also, do not just look at terrible events for what they are, like war.
War is not just a terrible thing that happens, but it is something to learn from, so that we can
avoid future horrors. When something horrible happens, we need to look at it closer, we need to
understand why it happened but most importantly, we need to make sure it can never happen
again. Lack of empathy leads to hate and aggression, hate breeds more hate, but also, and most
importantly, humanity can come together despite the greatest of odds, even a war of worldly
proportions. Humans are just as capable of constructive love, as they are of incredibly destructive
hate.
Citation Information
Article Title
Christmas Truce of 1914

Author
History.com Editors

Website Name
HISTORY

URL
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/christmas-truce-of-1914

Access Date
October 30, 2018

Publisher
A&E Television Networks

Last Updated
August 21, 2018

Original Published Date