1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919. For five years the first World War took the globe by storm and changed how the world saw warfare as a whole. Introductions of new weaponry, global alliances, revolutionary tactics, the story of WW1 is one of both horrific innovations and harrowing global tragedy.
Artifact #1: A FN M1910 handgun. This artifact was chosen due to the fact that this was the firearm used to assassinate Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June, 28th, 1914. The two rounds fired from this gun led to the deaths of 40 million people worldwide, which then led to 85 million almost three decades later. This is the beginning on World War 1
Artifact #2: A German Pickelhaube. The standard issue helmet for the German Soldiers during WW1, also used by police officers and firemen. Used in depictions of germans in American propaganda posters demonizing the country and their ideals
Artifact #3: A Leather Football. This leather football was utilized during the Christmas Day Truce of 1914. Were both sides came up from their trenches, drank, celebrated and played a game of soccer. Ironically enough, the Germans won the soccer game yet not the war
Artifact #4: a US Haversack Ration. This was issued to American soldiers throughout their stay containing such essentials as salt, pepper, and coffee.
Artifact #5: a copy of the Treaty of Versailles. This final document was chosen because of it's importance in the conclusion of the first World War. The treaty was signed on June 28th, 1919 when four important political figures through out the war: Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the U.S, met in France to negotiate.
Upon the final shots being fired, and upon the screaming of explosives falling silent, the faint sound of nature was heard. 40 million people lost their lives in WW1 in a worldwide slaughter like nothing before, and seconds after the dust had cleared and the storm of bullets and blood moved out of the forecast, nature picked up right where it left off. A rather hopeful end to a tragic showcase of brutality, the immediate start to repopulating and rebuilding the world that had been burnt to ash. This was the story of WW1: A tale of alliances, horrific inventions, and a new hope for society.