Tucked away in an alcove of the British Museum, off-shooting the Ancient Roman collection on the second floor is a small exhibition space dedicated to German commemoration of the First World War entitled: "The other side of the medal: how Germany saw the First World War." This was a small exhibition that was put on this summer to precursor the much larger exhibition "Germany: Memories of a Nation."
There have been a lot of exhibitions, specials, and lectures discussing the Great War and its impact. One of the most difficult aspects of studying the First World War is understanding the failures of diplomacy and how what should have been a small conflict between two states become a conflagration among the largest empires of the day. The war saw the end to three Empires (German, Ottoman, Russian), and left devastating consequences.
The psychological impact of the war cannot be overestimated. For many it was seen as a conflict of "Good" versus "Evil"; to the Allies a means of stopping an ever-expanding German empire and to protect a nation's right to neutrality. To the Central Powers, it was about honoring alliances and maintaing power. This perhaps is an over-generalization, but to many this was a war of ideals; the "War to end all Wars." Which if history has taught us anything such a concept is the equivalent of suggesting creating a fire to put out all fires.
What makes this exhibition so poignant is the fact that what we normally associate with victory and success: medals, are in fact representing defeat. These medals commemorate disappointment. With the loss of the war the only survivor of the Central Powers was Germany, and thus had to take the brunt of the "punishment" for defeat. The terms of the Treaty of Versailles left the German people with a feeling of humiliation. The medal "Pax" suggests that there was much left to be desired on the part of the German people. Created by , illustrates the feeling of bitterness and devastation over the high cost of the war imposed on Germany. In contrast to the medals on display from the Allied countries, it is evident that the treaty was by no means accepted.
Another "The Blockade" takes this sentiment even further. It represents the allied naval blockade of Germany and shows starving figures behind a harbor wall that is wrapped in barbed wire. The blockade was in effect after the end of fighting in November 1918 and lasted until peace was formally signed at Versailles on 28 June 1919. Written at the top is "England's Schandtat" which translates to "England's shameful deed." It suggests the bitterness felt towards the allies who continued to blockade until the formal declaration of peace despite the armistice, not coincidentally this medal was produced less than a month after the Treaty of Versailles passed.
It is worth seeing the much larger exhibition now on display at the British Museum "Germany: Memories of a Nation, " which will include some of these medals, which opened on Remembrance Day and will run until the 25th of January.
There have been a lot of exhibitions, specials, and lectures discussing the Great War and its impact. One of the most difficult aspects of studying the First World War is understanding the failures of diplomacy and how what should have been a small conflict between two states become a conflagration among the largest empires of the day. The war saw the end to three Empires (German, Ottoman, Russian), and left devastating consequences.
The psychological impact of the war cannot be overestimated. For many it was seen as a conflict of "Good" versus "Evil"; to the Allies a means of stopping an ever-expanding German empire and to protect a nation's right to neutrality. To the Central Powers, it was about honoring alliances and maintaing power. This perhaps is an over-generalization, but to many this was a war of ideals; the "War to end all Wars." Which if history has taught us anything such a concept is the equivalent of suggesting creating a fire to put out all fires.
Pax 1919
By: Erzsébet Esseö, Germany, 1919
Photo: By Amanda Chain
The British Museum
The Blockade
By: Karl Goetz, Germany 1919
Photo: By Amanda Chain
The British Museum
Another "The Blockade" takes this sentiment even further. It represents the allied naval blockade of Germany and shows starving figures behind a harbor wall that is wrapped in barbed wire. The blockade was in effect after the end of fighting in November 1918 and lasted until peace was formally signed at Versailles on 28 June 1919. Written at the top is "England's Schandtat" which translates to "England's shameful deed." It suggests the bitterness felt towards the allies who continued to blockade until the formal declaration of peace despite the armistice, not coincidentally this medal was produced less than a month after the Treaty of Versailles passed.
It is worth seeing the much larger exhibition now on display at the British Museum "Germany: Memories of a Nation, " which will include some of these medals, which opened on Remembrance Day and will run until the 25th of January.
