The importance of WW2 to todays generation

Ali

Interesting. Must have been American-Norwegians.
Nothing new in American history. During the civil war over 5000 Norwegians fought.

 

I think media is the key. The youth of today are so drawn to the visual aspects of everything, that for example books don't stand a chance nowadays when compared to movies. I remember having a presentation in school a few years ago about the Normandy landings, and for a moment there I thought I had the attention of maybe 3 persons. Until I put on Saving private Ryan. Suddenly I had got absolutely everyones attention. One girl (the last one I would have thought) even asked if she could borrow the DVD to watch the whole movie at home. I really felt like the message had gone through.

There was only one problem, according to my teacher. In her opinion the presentation was thorough and well-studied, but the film was too gory, and I shouldn't have shown it. I MEAN WHAT THE HELL!? I just thought to myself that she doesn't have a clue, a lot of people died gruesome, bloody friggin deaths during the war, and if I can't help people realize that, then how the hell am I going to tell them about a war that claimed 60 million lives?

To sum it up, tell them and especially show them, with the help of films, what it was really like. Schindler's list, Stalingrad, Saving private Ryan, The Thin Red Line, The Brigde over the river Kwai, The longest Day, Band of Brothers etc. etc. All very powerful films that one must be an idiot not to be affected by in some way.

 

When I was a mere lad back in about 1980-2 or so, I was asked to drive my assigned National Guard jeep in the local homecoming parade. As I sat there with the homecoming queen, we were talking and she asked me about where I had served during my active duty. When I said I was in Vietnam, she was amazed that I was so old. She was confusing the Vietnam War with the Korean War. Children goes through that stage of ignorance. Some just never grow out of it.

 

My lad is currently into year 2 of his A level history. Without wishing to ram it down their throats, the areas he is covering seem to be quite worthwhile. Maybe it helps with me being ex forces and with a great interest in most things military, but he researches well, the tools the school provide from the curriculum although lightweight are informative enough to cover most main aspects. OK you have to choose history A level in the first place, but dont write our youth off that much. He helped me research and provide local museum with a pc based presentation on local RAF airmen killed in ww2. Now showing on the museum pc's. He is not ww2 mad, but the subject has opened his eyes. Not to the extent that he couild trail off casualty lists, but the meaning is definately implanted, and I think anyone taking UK A level with that curriculum will be aware of what happened and its relevence to today, didnt we after all see German politicians hammering a section of society at one time to hide their own agendas and problems, not nearly in the same league, but he did mention that to me lately when watching the veil news items of recent days. Where does it start he asked? So it does make some think.
Then there are the thousands of cadets in the UK, who turn up at huts and barracks every week and camps in the summer. I'm sure if you were to ask them some pertinant ww2 facts, you would get a forthright answer from most. In short, there are lots of things happening in our world today, some important some not, our kids and our youth are not putting ww2 on top of their magazine lists, and I wouldnt blame them, we all move on. But it is still alive and will remain alive in enough to matter. Witness Rememberance day, the kids marching at Cenotpah with grandads etc, and faces in the crowds, even at local memorials. Although on our side of things, the older generation, we dont seem to get out and sell the poppies too much these days. Our grandads are now too old, if we want our kids to look at the war and its consequencses, then perhaps our own generation should take more of an active role in bigger numbers when it comes to poppy day sales and rattling the can. You will either see pensioners or the young, never in my mind the middle aged like many of us I take it on here.
Just a thought, I wonder what the average age of users on here is? That should answer the question.

 

"They Shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"

Nice sentiment, mouthed every year on Remembrance Day, (or daily at the Australian RSL Clubs), but do we REALLY remember them?

I fear not... there must be thousands (hundreds of) whose names have dropped from history's pages.

The only sons, whose parents are long since dead.

The grandfathers, deceased and forgotten.

Hundreds of thousands who produce no heirs to remember them.

Who visits these graves or celebrates their memory?

Depressing, but true I am afraid.

Robin www.156Squadron.com

 

I know why you are saying this, I am 14 and just got into the whole WW2 deal. It is interesting and I don't see why they don't teach more of it. In the beginnning of the year, we touched on communism but I have never heard a teacher of mine even mention facism. They should teach more of the history that has had a big effect on the earth. Yeah, of course I need to know that Julies Caesar was killed on March 14th . That Is really going to save me later in life. But knowing that true communism is almost impossible to establish and that in a country recovering from war, the government is easy to gain control of, that will never help me in life. Especially with the war in Iraq, that will be completely useless.
I am glad that there are people out there with enough common sense that have a good idea of what we sould be learning to help us in life, not what we are learning right now.

 

I doubt even 1% of the population has read or even heard about these books. They are simply a reflection of the current popularity in authors who claim to reveal something completely new and overturn decades (or even centuries) of scholarship. Revisionists aren't restricted to WWII topics. Sometimes they are quite popular (the Da Vinci Code and the many attempts by fringe scholars to ride the bandwagon are perfect examples) but these WWII revisionist ones only make a splash amongst history and military geeks (us). The majority of the population couldn't care less. So I don't think these revisionists are the reason that students in the UK know so little about the war.

 

Thought I would revive this thread, (used the search function!!) because I found a story online about students leraning about WWII! This is really neat, I think!

the story:
HollandSentinel.com - Your local online source for news and information.


the pics:
Spotted ++ The focus is on you

 

http://www.ww2f.com/wwii-general/22316-japanese-lady-didnt-know-about-ww2.html

One of the other threads that discussed school and what is or was taught in schools about WWII.

In one of the earlier responses on this thread, an individual spoke about those like us who are interested in WWII being involved in the Poppy campaigns. I think it is a great idea. I know it is something I do every year. I know that probably others are involved in issues like this. Veterans Affairs Canada has a program where Veterans go into the schools to talk to the students. Every school is provided with the opportunity to get material that is grade appropriate. Posters, etc are sent out.

As our WWII and Korean Veterans are lost, it will be up to their children (the ones who cared about what they did) and those like us to step forward to be willing to tell their stories to the students. I know we all look forward to our vacations, but I wonder if people like those of us on this forum should be contacting the schools in our areas and saying that we would be willing to be a resource or to come in and show our militaria and the stories we have learned. Sometimes it is a grassroots movement that can make a difference. It's obvious by the dedication and knowledge of so many on this forum that we are passionate about this subject and the history of our own and the other countries that participated in World War II and other conflicts of the 20th century.

History as we know is a pretty large subject, so no teacher can be an expert in all areas. Perhaps if we offer our services for one day - be it before Remembrance Day, Anzac Day, or Memorial Day or a nationally recognized date - perhaps we can help make that difference.

In 2008, we have recently heard US politicians who are running for President -whom I had thought were reasonably educated and informed - espouse an isolationist policy. Isolationism and protectionism has historically been a disaster for both the country choosing it and often, the rest of the world - the time preceding World War II and before the United States participated is a prime example.

So, I am challenging the members of this forum who haven't already done so to step forward and help to educate the next and other generations beyond their own children. How else will they Remember?

 

Very well said Michelle!
I just stated in another thread that I want to help our troops wherever they are, and visit those in the VA hospitals too. But your point of educating is a fantastic idea! I am not as knowledgeable as most here, but I am willing to tell students what I do know. I'm going to look into this!!

 

One thing I noticed at work. Everyone needs a bathroom break eventually. Just nature. But I will not read the local newspapers at work. Instead I will print an article about a person/battle/event of WWII. I will leave them there for others to read as well. I am glad to say that many a person have started to read these articles as well. It's not much but many have told me they knew nothing of the topic before reading what I left.

 

I certainly can relate on how poor the youth's awareness of World War 2 can be. Most of the Filipino kids I meet are only vaguely aware of the Death March and are not even aware that in the closing days of the US campaign in the Philippines, an entirely Filipino unit, about regimental size, was able to break the Japanese defense lines in Northern Luzon. These kids know about Pearl Harbor and Normandy from the movies but sadly, my own country's World War II history seems to have been set aside for the glossy films of Hollywood World War II.
This is not helped when this country's public school system had just lumped into one subject three very diverse subjects which would be taught for about half an hour each day. How can one teach history in ten-minute segments?
I envy you guys in Europe, Scandinavia and North America. At least you have a strong cultural history.

 

Mike, that sounds funny! but I'm sure very effective! I know if I were in the "library", I would definitely read it!

Good idea!!

 

I talk about the Canadian aspect a lot, but there is the downside here as well. If the teachers in the schools don't teach it or they don't have a familial reference, many here know more about the British and the American participation in WWII than the Canadian participation. Courtesy of Hollywood. I can probably count on my hand how often Canada has been mentioned in a Hollywood military production. One man I know was so frustrated when his son's friend was adamant and argued with him that WWII didn't start until Dec 1941 when Pearl Harbour was attacked, and wouldn't accept any other proof because it would have been in the movies if it were true.

Awareness has increased with programs on History televison, commemorative events on CBC, etc, but it takes a concerted effort to teach a broad-based awareness of each countries participation. Something I have noted though, is that we have access to PBS out of Detroit and Spokane, and they have both started to run Canadian produced programs about the Canada's WWII history. Maybe if they see it on American television, the ones like the young boy above will be willing to believe.

 

I'm 17 (and new here, hey ), and I'm completely fascinated by WW2. I'm extremely interested in 20th century history in general, specifically the Cold War and WW2. But yeah alot of people around my age are completely ignorant to history and politics, it amazes me how many people can't tell you who the Prime Minister of the UK is, or who the last President of the USA was, let alone the state of affairs in the world at the moment.

 

Hey Summers!
Welcome, you should go the New Members section and tell us a little bit about yourself!

Michelle, you probably know this already, but the Canadians are HUGELY popular among the Dutch! They freed the north eastern part of Holland, and maybe more! They liberated my Fathers town, many of hisrelatives and friends moved to Canada after the war! In Holland they still celebrate Liberation Day in Holland too! There was a video on another thread here that showed Canadian troops marching in the celebration!