Last week we viewed the video to "Snoopy's Christmas." In it, Snoopy and the Red Baron stopped their fighting to celebrate Christmas, and at the end of the song, they proceeded on their way, knowing the war would be resuming for them shortly. Fiction, right? Maybe not.
During the height of World War I fighting, a momentary truce broke out between the British and German forces on December 24, 1914. Incredible as it may seem, for about 24 hours the warring enemies not only stopped the fighting, but actually exchanged small presents, food and engaged in other gestures of goodwill including playing soccer! In less than two days, the fighting and killing resumed. This is considered unusual because while there have been cease fires during wars, rarely if ever do enemy soldiers intermingle.
Read about it on wikipedia, and tell us what you think. Did it make a difference in the war (which would continue for almost four more years)? Are there lessons to be learned from it?
25 comments:
I do not think this had an impact on war. After a couple of days they started back fighting. Nothing changed. It was nice how they stopped and showed respect for God and christmas if thats actually wat happend.
I think it may have made a difference, but there is nothing wrong with being friendly to others on Christmas even if they are enemies or if they are in a war. Maybe, just maybe, that may have just made a difference in the war. I think that maybe just because they didn’t have any body else to have Christmas with and they were away from home and family that they just needed a little Christmas spirit. The lesson to be learned is if enemy soldiers and countries can stop a war and be friendly, then anyone can. I think that is the true meaning of Christmas. It shows no matter what, you can still celebrate Christmas.
Well I think that it was very unusual and kind of strange that they stopped fighting and then exchange gifts! I have no clue why they would do that but at least it stopped the fighting for the day. Um I don’t think it made a difference in wars because we are still having many wars today. And then they resumed there fighting the very next morning. To me that sounds very strange, and extraordinary.
The British-German truce was very interesting. I can’t believe that the war stopped on Christmas Eve and the soldiers intermingled. I don’t think it made a difference in the war, though. The war lasted for four more years. It would have looked like the soldiers would have realized that they were getting along with each other and that the fighting could stop. There are lessons to be learned from it.
I think that this is kind of funny. Neither one of the armies agreed to stop fighting. I wonder, during this time if some of the soldiers were paranoid and didn't know if someone was going to go for a "cheap shot". I don't think I would have trusted the other side. These people must have been tired of fighting, or just plain crazy.
This Christmas truce says a lot about the culture of the people. It seems to me that the soldiers didn't see each other as enemies, but maybe as the messengers from their own country. They weren't fighting because they disagreed, but because of loyalty to their own countries, which had different views. It is a wonderful thing that even the soldiers could overlook the pain and destruction caused from the war, even for a 24-hour truce. It is astounding that they could step aside from the war and see each other as people, as friends, rather than enemies or competitors. This Christmas truce can remind us all that no matter how horrific or terrible the times may be, we can still find happiness and friendship, even if it is just for a brief period.
I think this is very shocking. I don’t understand why they would just stop fighting for Christmas. I think that the “Christmas Truce” is extremely interesting. It’s like everything just changed that night almost as if everything was back to normal. They had to know that the next day they wake up its back to the usual fighting and killing. I think that it is weird how they can just drop everything and exchange presents and other things. It will not have any impact on the war because the next day the go back and fight agian. It is almost like just hitting a pause button on everything and just having a enjoyable night for once in a long time.
Christmas is the day of peace due to the birth of Jesus Christ. Many battle during wars that went through Christmas stop for peace. Christmas is the only real holiday this time of year because no other could stop a war.
I feel that the “Christmas Spirit” was instilled within both the British and the Germans. They remembered their childhood memories before the burden of war came upon them. They remembered all the treasures they held so dear to them. For example they remembered their family, the snow, the gifts, and most importantly the love they shared with one another. These memories made them realize that war is wrong and that there should be peace on earth. After this spirit went away the burden of war fell upon them again and their memories faded away.
It seems kind of odd to me by the British and French were fighting at first. Then around Christmas they exchange gifts. The soldiers were like enemies and figure to themselves that around Christmas they should just get along. In my opinion that seems like peace on earth. By not fighting and killing each other instead the earth is peace and quite.
I actually find this article to be very interesting. In history classes, you only learn about the war and the key points. For example, we recently discussed WWI and learned about the key points of the war, like when the United States entered (1917). I’ve never really thought about the background of the war very much, only what I learned about and the things on the surface. Up until now, I thought the war consisted of continuous fighting each and every day from start to finish. I used to think of Christmas Eve as just the day before Christmas, but now I’ll think about the short truce of the war. I guess the line “Holidays bring out the best in some people” comes into play here.
This is a very interesting article. Christmas must have meant a lot to World War 1 soldiers. Even though they were not able to be with their family they were with each other. Thinking about it just gives me cold chills. The soldiers were thankful for what they had. Some soldiers might not have been happy. It was the fact that they stopped a war just to have a great time with each other and enjoy Christmas. When I first began to read the article is seemed kind of weird to me. After thinking about it for a while I realized that I have to be thankful to be with my family on Christmas and be thankful for the food that I do have. It made me care more about the troops that are in war now and won’t be with their family for Christmas.
To make peace with an enemy is a very hard thing to do. That’s why this sudden truce is mind blowing to me. I have held tons of grudges about many little, insignificant things throughout my life. I can’t quite see how the enemy soldiers made peace after constantly trying to shoot each other in the head. It all just seems a tad bit unusual to me. However, just because its strange, doesn’t mean it’s not good. This helped them realize their enemies were people too, most of them began to become friends and exchange gifts to celebrate Christmas. The two armies even played soccer with each other. However, after Christmas ended, the fighting resumed, which is another reason why I wouldn’t want to start a friendship with my enemy. That sure would suck having to kill your new friend, huh?
I don't think it made a difference. I say that only because they started fighting all over again like nothing happened. It was very nice, however, but that does not change the fact that they went back to the war/fighting. I wonder why they didn't stop the fighting all together? I guess things just don't work that way.
I think the idea of exchanging presents and interacting with one another is very unusual. I do not believe that this had an impact on the war. The reason is because after several days the fighting resumed again. I think that the concept of this peace making time was simply just to celebrate Christmas and reflect back on everything that we have. To me if this would have made a difference then the fighting would have stopped instead of continuing for four more years. It looks like to me the soldiers would have realized that they actually could interact without fighting and peace would be made.
I don't think that it had impact on the people as much as it should have, because after a few days they were back at war again. I just can't understand why they decided to hold the peace on Christmas, but enemies after. It's strange how people can come together at certain times and just get along, and then fight among each other. I think they were missing the concept of what they did Christmas day and turned around and did the opposite. Either way the whole thing was pointless to me.
I liked how they would stop fighting for one day to cele-brate Christmas. Christmas is a very important day. It is the birthday of Jesus. I don’t think it made a difference because still today we are having wars. I do not like how they only stopped fighting for one day because it says that the next morn-ing they went right back to it. They should of taken more than just one day off. Wars in my own opinion are not necessary at all. I don’t even understand why we really have them because they are not called for.
I think it was amazing that the troops, were able to honor God, and Christmas. Do I think it had an impact in the war, No. It seems bazaar to me that you can eat, and be merry one day with a man, then the next day, kill him. But to make peace with an enemy takes a real man.
I don’t understand why they would stop fighting just to have Christmas and then start back fighting again. If you were going to stop fighting, can't you reach an agreement? Think about one day you are talking to the person and sharing gifts with them and then you have to fight them. Wouldn't you feel very low if the person you were laughing with got killed. I guess those couple of days meant nothing to the soldiers or the soldiers were doing a duty to their country. Personally, I think that it is pointless because if you were going to stop and start back up, what was the point of stopping?
It's odd how both sides just stop fighting for no reason. But it was a good because it was Christmas. Over all it did make a differents that break from the war did change something. And the lessons to be learned from this is that no matter what happen there is always an happy side.
I think it sounds absurd that two enemies would just stop fight-ing in the middle of a war. Let alone to celebrate Christmas together! I think it must have been nice to have a chance to remember Christmas though. Christmas is my favorite holiday so I would have been glad to have a few hours of joy during the war. It would give them a time to rest up some and possibly getting the chance to open a card from a loved one would give me motivation to keep going. If I was a soldier I would be appre-hensive about being so close to the enemy and not knowing if it was a trick.
I do not think that the truce had an impact on the war. I do believe that it had an impact on the soldiers who were out there on the front line though. Not only did they stop fighting at Christmas time, but there were reports from soldiers that said that the two sides were friendly during the fighting. I know that sounds crazy, but I guess when your in war any little thing is nice. They traded food and water rations, sang songs, and had concerts. I believe that the war made some of those soldiers realize that even though they were supposed to hate and kill those people on the opposite side of the war that they were people just like them, that they to were living in the same harsh conditions that they were, and that there is always good in bad times. I am glad that the soldiers took a little time off to celebrate Christmas because they really needed the happiness even if it was for a brief time.
I think that it was very kind the way they stopped fighting each other just to celebrate Christmas. It shows that they have respect for the holiday because it is the day that Jesus was born. I just dont undertsand why they would stop fighting each other for 24 long hours and then start fighting again. Which pretty much tells you that there is really know reason to fight and kill each other when you could really just be nice or just keep your distance from that person. Violence is never the answer to anything. War or not. But I do have respect for our troops who are fighting for our country and for our lives.
In reading this article I have mixed feelings part of me wants to say yes it was a great idea for the truce, because it shows that we can get along with are enemies.
Life is not all about fighting and hardship life is about coming together as a team. The other part of me is saying no this was not a good idea because these solders are on a mission of making the world a better place. This truce could have made these solders forget what they are fighting for.
It was a very touching moment in history.It will probably never happen again. It just shows the importance of christmas. This shows people truly love that holiday. This holiday is world celebrated.
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