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The “Greatest Generation” is famous for its heroic military actions during World War II. But before this famous class signed up to fight for Uncle Sam, many were shaped by childhoods spent in the midst of World War I.
It’s no surprise, then, that World War I instilled in an entire generation a brand of patriotism that would risk everything to protect the American Dream. That exact experience is now on display at the National World War I Museum in “A Little War,” an exhibition dedicated to exploring her childhood from 1914 to 1918.
Specialist curator Natalie Walker said the exhibits prompted questions from museum staff about the impact of war on children during World War I and throughout the conflicts that followed.
“[It was] “The literature that was being produced for children at the time, the toys that they were playing, the games that they were playing, the Allies versus the Central Powers,” Walker told Military Times. “That made it much easier for him to accept World War II just 20 to 25 years later.”
Those who created children’s literature, toys, and costumes of the time represented war in a way that removed the element of fear. In doing so, the lens through which children viewed World War I was one of an adventure in which morally superior participants always emerged victorious.
So for young Americans who grew up in such an environment, not only are they willing to serve when called upon, but they are excited to serve, even if unconsciously, when they perform like the heroes they once read about. It was natural.
“[The literature] It breaks it down in terms of good and evil and instills the idea of patriotism, being a good citizen and fighting for your country,” Walker said. “But these also trivialized violence and war. [Children are] Playing in the safety of the backyard, all this literature is about the Boy Scout who went overseas and escaped all the battles and conflicts unscathed. …He didn’t want to scare the kids. …At the same time, they are not telling the truth. ”
Some of the most famous items in the exhibit’s collection include picture books, costumes for child soldiers and nurses, ration books, and the night prayer mass. Meanwhile, much of the media at the time dehumanized the enemy in the eyes of children.
“One of my favorite pieces is a nursery rhyme called ‘Fighting Times,'” Walker said. “This is a book published in England in 1914 that takes nursery rhymes that were popular at the time and recasts them as a form of propaganda that actually demonizes and dehumanizes Germany.
“When they were making this piece, there were no restrictions. …If you’re a little kid and you read a book that says the Kaiser is coming and bombing your town and hurting your loved ones. If so, that’s scary,” she added. “If you’re in middle school, you might be angry reading this. If you’re in high school, you’re probably ready to enlist.”
However, the double-edged sword is that during both world wars, many children were essential to their country’s efforts. Even just contributing to household chores shapes many people toward duty, Walker said.
Given that this phenomenon continues into today’s conflicts, Walker said she hopes the exhibit will encourage conversations between children and adults.
“I want people to walk through this exhibit and feel that children played an active and important role, and this is what they did,” she said.
Sarah Sicard is a senior editor at Military Times. She previously served as Digital Editor of Military Times and Editor of Army Times. Additional work by her can be found in National Defense Magazine, Task & Purpose, and Defense News.
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