The Great War that Changed the World, 1914-1918

Georgia Southern Museum

Georgia Southern University

Commemorate the 100th anniversary of an event that changed our world forever. During the “Great War,” as it was called, 65 million men and women served in militaries from 36 current nations spanning 6 continents, nine million of which died. The First World War saw the introduction of new technology, the fall of empires, the rise of new states, the loss of a generation, and changes in society as a whole.

This exhibit is a collaboration of faculty curators from across the University and graduate student curator and project coordinator Sheila Boone. The exhibit design and much of the fabrication was completed by Professional Practices students in the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. This exhibit is the first of two to commemorate the Centennial.

For More Information: http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/museum/exhibits/current/

DRAWN TO WAR THE POLITICAL CARTOONS OF LOUIS RAEMAEKERS

WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, MO

Political cartoons, newly printed in vivid color during the war era, were widespread and quickly consumed by popular culture across national borders and language barriers. As with today, caricatures allowed artists and audiences to laugh, reflect and inform opinions of current events. Dutch artist Louis Raemaekers, described as the “supreme cartoonist of the war,” used his pencils as a weapon to create powerful impressions characterizing and criticizing the nature and legacy of war.

Born in the Netherlands in 1869, Raemaekers’ first wartime political cartoon was published in the Amsterdam newspaper De Telegraaf on Aug. 1, 1914, following the German declarations of war.  As is true with today’s political cartoonists, Raemaekers infused religious sensibility and symbolism to develop both comical and stirring commentary on the brutality of war and its destructive legacy. Caricatures of leaders, particularly Kaiser Wilhelm, personified the reprehensible practices of war conducted by Germans while portraying empathy that defied national borders.

Between 1914 and 1918, Raemaekers’ works were printed in newspapers worldwide, reproduced on millions of postcards, published in dozens of books, and exhibited in hundreds of cities around the globe. Raemaekers received unprecedented attention on both sides of the Atlantic, was awarded the French Legion of Honor, and received credit for influencing the U.S. decision to enter the war.

Louis Raemaekers died in the Netherlands on July 26, 1956. The next day’s issue of the British newspaper, The Times, described Raemaekers’ legacy:

“...he was the one private individual who exercised a real and great influence on the course of the 1914-18 War. There were a dozen or so people – emperors, kings, statesmen, and commanders-in-chief…[o]utside that circle of the great, Louis Raemaekers stands conspicuous as the one man who, without any assistance of title or office, indubitably swayed the destinies of peoples.”

For more information: https://theworldwar.org/explore/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/raemaekers

The Year of Navy Reserve Centennial

Naval Heritage Center, Washington DC

Through April 2016

For more information: http://navymemorial.org/yonr

This exhibition features black & white photographs of the efforts to use sandbags and wooden frames to protect Italian architecture and sculpture from aerial bombardment in WWI. It is co-sponsored by the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute, and hosted by The President Woodrow Wilson House.

The President Woodrow Wilson House is open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesdays – Sundays. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

Sand to Snow: Global War 1915

The year 1915 was pivotal in terms of the world-wide involvement in the war. World War I was the first truly global war starting in Europe, then spreading to Africa, Asia and the Near East. The European powers mobilized their colonies and commonwealths around the world. Soldiers and laborers from Southeast Asia, India, Africa and the Caribbean were sent to Europe and the Near East to fight. Particularly, the British Commonwealth nations of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa made a decisive impact.

Sand to Snow: Global War 1915 illustrates the convergence of diverse military, political, economic and social forces of the combatant nations and neutral countries. The faces, actions, voices and objects of the people, often from an individual viewpoint, serve as our guides. Their contributions and sacrifices are the central themes.

The exhibition showcases objects and documents from more than 20 countries across the world – the most encompassing special exhibition in the Museum's history – including Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Australia, India, Germany, Montenegro, Poland and the United States. The vast majority of items are on exhibition for the first time at the Museum.

The diversion of European factories to war production disrupted the entire world economy. To fight a global war the combatant nations incurred enormous debts to produce the weapons, ammunition and equipment necessary. Soldiers and sailors fighting across the globe required uniforms, supplies and food.

The United States remained politically neutral, not wanting to be drawn into a European war, but sold war material to both the Allies and Central Powers.

Open from May 1, 2015 through April 10, 2016 in Exhibit Hall, Sand to Snow: Global War 1915 is the latest in the Museum's series of exhibitions commemorating the World War I Centennial.

For more information:https://theworldwar.org/explore/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/sandtosnow

The Spring 2015 World War 1 History Symposium

Hosted by the Western Front Association East Coast Branch

Join the WFA For An Exciting Day-Long Program in World War 1 History! Events and presentations include: “America’s U-Boats: Terror Trophies of World War I”; “Unfulfilled Nightmares of WW1 Bombing”; “The Lost Sketchbooks: A Young Artist in The Great War”; “Quantity AND Quality? - Your Edwardian Naval Race”; and “Gallipoli: A German Perspective.” Cost: $35 per person, $10 students.

For more information on the symposium, contact Branch Chairman Paul Cora at [email protected].

WFA website: www.westernfrontassociation.com

World War I Symposium

Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery

Please join us for this free public symposium featuring noted scholars who will discuss the causes and consequences of the Great War, the experiences of the soldiers and communities who sent them, and the ways in which we have and continue to remember the War's significance.

Sponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, Alabama Department of Archives and History, and the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial Foundation with support from the Alabama Humanities Foundation, state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Michelin Corporation, and National Cement, a Vicat Company.

For more information and to register: http://www.cla.auburn.edu/cah/programs/world-war-i-symposium/

Schedule:

The Rise of the Beast: How the Nation Changed for Our Entry into World War One

Lecture. Americans were evenly divided or unconcerned about the combatants on the killing fields of Beligum and France in 1914. This presentation discusses how America was drawn into the world war and how the country changed after it was declared.

Regular Admission Rates Apply.

For more information:http://pamilmuseum.org/events/event-schedule

Day in the Life: Soldiers of the War - The Eastern Front in 1915

Living History volunteers will be on site to share stories of the Great War era and make history come to life! The Living History volunteers will focus on what life was like for soldiers serving on the Eastern Front in 1915. Included with Museum admission and free for members.

For more information: https://theworldwar.org/visit/upcoming-events

Day in the Life: Trench Warfare

Living History volunteers will be on site to share stories of the Great War era and make history come to life! The Living History volunteers will focus on what life was like for soldiers during trench warfare in World War I. Included with Museum admission and free for members.

For more information: https://theworldwar.org/visit/upcoming-events