Sites of Memory and Mourning in Post-World War I Europe - Lecture 18

Explore the profound impact of World War I on European commemoration and memory in this 46-minute guest lecture by Jay Winters at Yale University. Delve into the unique ways Europeans processed the unprecedented consequences of the war through mass-media technologies and traditional memorial forms. Examine how sites of memory facilitated personal and political reconciliation, and trace their lasting influence on modern European society. Investigate the myths of war portrayed in films and legends, cultural remembrance practices, the rise of spiritualism, the construction of war memorials, and the creation of commemorative ceremonies emphasizing "Never Again." Gain insights into how these commemorative practices shaped Europe's understanding of war in the 20th century, ultimately contributing to the diminished importance of armies in favor of social welfare programs in today's united Europe.