Very few European nations feared the outbreak of a continental war in 1914. Intense feelings of nationalism had convinced most governments that an international conflict would be short and result in a victory for their people, a sentiment echoed by the citizens of these nations. However, as military campaigns quickly transformed into the quagmire of trench warfare, public enthusiasm for the war effort gave way to the realization that this conflict would not only be a prolonged war, but that it would transform all parts of European society and bring about nothing but destruction.

In this discussion, you will compare two poems written by soldiers during WWI. How do the two authors describe the war? How do the two authors reveal how public opinion regarding the conflict shifted as the war continued? How had technological advancements created the potential for this quagmire, and what were these specific advancements?

Respond to your classmates to compare your interpretations of the poems. What agreements or differences do you identify? In your responses, write about how these reflect your understanding of historical details from this period.