The First World War is a contested topic within British popular memory and has led to the emergence of many myths that cloud the reality of Britain during this conflict.
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This course will explore the First World War through the lens of the most recent academic scholarship presenting a different interpretation of the First World War to that traditionally understood by the British public. Through eight weeks many myths about the Great War of 1914-1918 will be covered demonstrating the differing viewpoints through which we understand one of the worlds’ greatest conflicts. New interpretations will be presented that will demonstrate a fundamentally different picture of the Western Front and Britain’s role in the First World War. Ideas such as lions led by donkeys, where British senior commanders are presented as uncaring, incompetent buffoons who lacked either the skill or imagination to fight the First World War differently and save hundreds of thousands of lives will be tested against the modern scholarship in this area that presents a more nuanced and careful understanding of the challenges that were faced by senior commanders as well placing them within their historical and cultural context to gain a greater understanding of these commanders as people as well as soldiers. This is one example of the many myths that have emerged since 1918 that will be tackled to give a more rounded understanding of the First World War, and the course will finish by exploring how and why some of these myths have continued within British society and wider social and cultural memory.
What will we cover?
A war of purpose or a war of futility?
British strategy 1914-1918
Lions led by donkeys?
Trench warfare and the Western Front
General Sir Douglas Haig: educated soldier or buffoon
The Battle of the Somme, 1915-1916
Learning curve or pointless slaughter
The First World War in British memory
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course you will have an understanding of the many myths that have emerged about the First World War and propagated by historians, politicians, novelists and film makers alike. It will explore how accurate the accepted public interpretation of the First World War is and give learners an insight into the arguments and interpretations of the First World War that have emerged in recent decades, something that may challenge what learners already know and think they know about one of the biggest conflicts the world has ever seen.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics, philosophy and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect, sensitivity and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will be taught in weekly online sessions. There will be assigned readings and primary source analysis where appropriate, but this is not a compulsory requirement of the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Dr Matthew Powell is a Teaching Fellow in Air Power and Strategic Studies at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell as part of the Portsmouth Military Education Team. He holds a PhD in Modern History from the University of Birmingham. His first book The Development of British Tactical Air Power, 1940-1943: A History of Army Co-operation Command was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2016. He has published in a wide range of peer-reviewed journals and is a regular TVP World (Poland) and British Forces TV. His current research investigates the relationship between the Air Ministry and the British aircraft industry in the inter-war period.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/myths-and-realities-of-the-first-world-war3062140Myths and realities of the First World Warhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/intro-to-philosophy-1024.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Online courses228511771178118217311228511771178<p>The First World War is a contested topic within British popular memory and has led to the emergence of many myths that cloud the reality of Britain during this conflict. </p>003062095Myths and realities of the First World War189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/intro-to-philosophy-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH116189189Myths and realities of the First World War189123189Matthew Powellmyths-and-realities-of-the-first-world-war/heh116-2627<p>The First World War is a contested topic within British popular memory and has led to the emergence of many myths that cloud the reality of Britain during this conflict. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00<p>This course will explore the First World War through the lens of the most recent academic scholarship presenting a different interpretation of the First World War to that traditionally understood by the British public. Through eight weeks many myths about the Great War of 1914-1918 will be covered demonstrating the differing viewpoints through which we understand one of the worlds’ greatest conflicts. New interpretations will be presented that will demonstrate a fundamentally different picture of the Western Front and Britain’s role in the First World War. Ideas such as lions led by donkeys, where British senior commanders are presented as uncaring, incompetent buffoons who lacked either the skill or imagination to fight the First World War differently and save hundreds of thousands of lives will be tested against the modern scholarship in this area that presents a more nuanced and careful understanding of the challenges that were faced by senior commanders as well placing them within their historical and cultural context to gain a greater understanding of these commanders as people as well as soldiers. This is one example of the many myths that have emerged since 1918 that will be tackled to give a more rounded understanding of the First World War, and the course will finish by exploring how and why some of these myths have continued within British society and wider social and cultural memory.</p><p>The First World War is a contested topic within British popular memory and has led to the emergence of many myths that cloud the reality of Britain during this conflict. </p><ol><li>A war of purpose or a war of futility?</li><li>British strategy 1914-1918</li><li>Lions led by donkeys?</li><li>Trench warfare and the Western Front</li><li>General Sir Douglas Haig: educated soldier or buffoon</li><li>The Battle of the Somme, 1915-1916</li><li>Learning curve or pointless slaughter</li><li>The First World War in British memory</li></ol><p></p><p>By the end of this course you will have an understanding of the many myths that have emerged about the First World War and propagated by historians, politicians, novelists and film makers alike. It will explore how accurate the accepted public interpretation of the First World War is and give learners an insight into the arguments and interpretations of the First World War that have emerged in recent decades, something that may challenge what learners already know and think they know about one of the biggest conflicts the world has ever seen.</p><p></p><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics, philosophy and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect, sensitivity and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>This course will be taught in weekly online sessions. There will be assigned readings and primary source analysis where appropriate, but this is not a compulsory requirement of the course.</p><p>No</p><strong>HEH136</strong><strong>The Western Front: 1914-1918</strong>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual189189123HEH116NONETue22/09/26 - 10/11/2619:30 - 21:0019:3021:008 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineMatthew PowellAvailable courses2026-09-22T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities189189Myths and realities of the First World Warmyths-and-realities-of-the-first-world-war/heh116-2627<p>The First World War is a contested topic within British popular memory and has led to the emergence of many myths that cloud the reality of Britain during this conflict. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-22 00:00:00<p>This course will explore the First World War through the lens of the most recent academic scholarship presenting a different interpretation of the First World War to that traditionally understood by the British public. Through eight weeks many myths about the Great War of 1914-1918 will be covered demonstrating the differing viewpoints through which we understand one of the worlds’ greatest conflicts. New interpretations will be presented that will demonstrate a fundamentally different picture of the Western Front and Britain’s role in the First World War. Ideas such as lions led by donkeys, where British senior commanders are presented as uncaring, incompetent buffoons who lacked either the skill or imagination to fight the First World War differently and save hundreds of thousands of lives will be tested against the modern scholarship in this area that presents a more nuanced and careful understanding of the challenges that were faced by senior commanders as well placing them within their historical and cultural context to gain a greater understanding of these commanders as people as well as soldiers. This is one example of the many myths that have emerged since 1918 that will be tackled to give a more rounded understanding of the First World War, and the course will finish by exploring how and why some of these myths have continued within British society and wider social and cultural memory.</p><p>The First World War is a contested topic within British popular memory and has led to the emergence of many myths that cloud the reality of Britain during this conflict. </p><ol><li>A war of purpose or a war of futility?</li><li>British strategy 1914-1918</li><li>Lions led by donkeys?</li><li>Trench warfare and the Western Front</li><li>General Sir Douglas Haig: educated soldier or buffoon</li><li>The Battle of the Somme, 1915-1916</li><li>Learning curve or pointless slaughter</li><li>The First World War in British memory</li></ol><p></p><p>By the end of this course you will have an understanding of the many myths that have emerged about the First World War and propagated by historians, politicians, novelists and film makers alike. It will explore how accurate the accepted public interpretation of the First World War is and give learners an insight into the arguments and interpretations of the First World War that have emerged in recent decades, something that may challenge what learners already know and think they know about one of the biggest conflicts the world has ever seen.</p><p></p><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics, philosophy and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect, sensitivity and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>This course will be taught in weekly online sessions. There will be assigned readings and primary source analysis where appropriate, but this is not a compulsory requirement of the course.</p><p>No</p><strong>HEH136</strong><strong>The Western Front: 1914-1918</strong>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
