Christmas truce

• Engels
• Voortgezet speciaal onderwijs
• MBO
• Leerroute n3
• Studiejaar 1

Last lesson before Christmas 

Christmas truce 1914

Christmas Kahoot

www.bbc.co.uk

Christmas Truce 1914

Christmas

Themes

Christmas; 

Christmas Eve; 

peace and goodwill; 

comradeship; 

the power of the Christmas 'message'.

Summary

By Christmas 1914 soldiers from the Allied and German armies had dug-in along a trench system reaching from Switzerland to the North Sea. On Christmas Eve the guns fell silent. The following morning - Christmas Day - troops on both sides climbed from their trenches and met together in No-Man's-Land, between the battle lines. They shared drinks, played football, embraced, exchanged presents and sang carols. This spontaneous truce was observed in several places along the Western Front, but by no means everywhere. The following day - Boxing Day - the fighting began once again.

Questions

What can you tell me about this picture?

Who do you think these men are?

Where might they be?

When might the photo have been taken?

How do you think the men in the photograph are feeling?

www.bbc.co.uk

In which year did the Christmas Truce take place?

What is the title of 'Silent Night' in German and Dutch?

About what time did the Christmas Truce begin on Christmas Eve?

What name did the German soldiers have for British ones?

What game did the British and German soldiers play together?

Reflection

The Christmas Truce shows us that we are all human. It asks us to treat others with the kindness and respect we ourselves deserve, to share with them and to show good will towards all people. It shows the power of the Christmas 'message'. As you watch, think to yourselves quietly what the power of the Christmas message means to you...

www.bbc.co.uk