Veterans Reactions to Their Experiences of the First World War and Homecoming

The causes and effects of the First World War affected many people's lives due to the devastation that it had brought. Millions were killed and the survivors in most cases were maimed, crippled, grief-stricken or psychologically traumatized. The aftermath of the war marked a new beginning in the political, cultural and social system. International organizations were established for purposes of adopting new ideas and implementations regarding the drastic change that was expected. However, despite the effects still being relevant today, many people have changed regarding how they handle issues related to the society as a whole.

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The veterans who fought in the First World War encountered traumatic injuries both mentally and physically. When they arrived home from the war, it had a profound impact on everyone. Their traumatic experiences brought new medical advancements such as counseling which in turn helped them to return back to their normal lives. The end of the war led to technological advancements, urbanization, and immigration which were among the important factors that established social upheavals. For instance, many women became employed in the workforce for purposes of enhancing the cause of their suffrage and independence. Pacifism, isolationism, and spiritualism were among the popular movements implemented as a result of seeking refuge from the damage left by the war.

Furthermore, the war veterans of the German army came back as fighting soldiers. The reason for this was because of the provisional government's failure to form a reliable military force based on the election of military officers by the soldiers. Afterward, this establishment acted as a basis for the foundation of the free corps which later on promoted a subculture of 'ultra-militant masculinity.' The purpose of its formation was to restore the right-wing extremist movements after the dispersal of the free corps. In turn, it made a profound contribution towards the militarization of the political culture in Germany.

Different Reactions of Bessel, Mosse, and Prost in Relation to the First World War and Homecoming

The First World War was as a result of the European conflict. Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism were among the factors that led to the growing tensions between the countries of Europe. Militarism involves the development of military resources for purposes of national defense as well as the protection related to the interests generated from colonies. As a result, military expenditure was elevated and also there was expansion in military and naval forces which in turn made force to be used as a preference for solutions to problems. On the other hand, many alliances were formed and this caused distrust among European powers and a lot of suspicions. Thus, the alliances suppressed their diplomats to look for alternative solutions regarding the crisis that preceded the war.

Engaging in Warfare can often result in tense consequences both physical and mental well-being of military personnel. The reason for this is because of the repeated trauma of combat as well as high-stress environments. Weaponry, strategies, and technology are among the factors that have contributed to the dramatic change associated with the effects of war such as injuries, casualty rates as well as wounding mechanisms and patterns. It was not until the First World War that stress-induced disorders such as post-traumatic stress were diagnosed during the combat duties. The participation of psychiatrists in military conflicts led to the extensive advancement of expertise that played a vital role in the management of war-related psychiatric syndromes. Also, new theoretical perspectives, diagnostic categories as well as strategies for receiving treatment were established.

The approaches mentioned above form a basis of the historical and literary concept regarding the critical context. In most cases, the division created by this kind of approaches are considered as more apparent than real. For instance, many literary studies have been carried out concerning the First World War which in turn has been presented with an elevated historical understanding depicted as being sensitive. In turn, this has created schism which is believed to exist between literary and historical approaches thus claims have been made regarding the ultimate value of truth based on the methods and aims of each approach. As a result, the existence of these divides have been proven to be real and termed as necessary.

The First World War has invoked debates regarding the different visions in relation to the historical methods. It has also attached itself with different conceptions that have been perceived due to its purpose in history and the depiction of historical truth. The beliefs, attitude, and experiences of many that participated in this type of historical accuracy are regarded as essential because of their typical nature. The historical truth is often depicted in terms of gathering enough information. For example, by certain means such as consulting the widest possible range, those specific documents can have as well as their description of the wide range of people that were involved. The truth of war is constituted in terms of the outermost limits of the pain it created thus creating a profound meaning.

Bibliography

Prost, Antoine, and Helen McPhail. In the Wake of War: 'Les Anciens Combattants' and French Society, 1914-1939. Oxford, 1992.

Mosse, George L. Fallen soldiers: reshaping the memory of the world wars. Oxford University Press, 1991.

Bessel, Richard. "The Great War in German Memory: The Soldiers of the First World War, Demobilization and Weimar Political Culture." German History 6, no. 1 (1988): 20.