1. I noticed that the letters were either handwritten in cursive or a typewriter was used. I also saw that the paper or envelope had some form of American/YMCA stamp on it. I wonder if the soldier’s letters were read or opened before they were sent in order to see if they were disclosing confidential information. I wanted to choose this primary source because I was curious to read an individual's first hand experience of what war was like and what life was like for artists in the late 19th and early 20th century.
2. This primary source is a collection of letters written by Solon Borgium detailing his experiences during war and his life as an artist. These letters were created in the span of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Most of the letters do not contain a specific date but the source does provide a general outline of 1918 July through August. They were written from the artists in France to their intended audience being their family members. There are 48 letters so I won’t load all of them but the letter I do want to focus on is number thirty-two, https://transcription.si.edu/view/25437/AAA-borgsolo00032-000034.
3. World War 1 is a heavy hitting topic, there are so many aspects that go into detailing what really happened or caused WW1. These letters are one of those aspects that help us get a first look perspective of what life was like as a soldier during these uncertain times. In module 14 we learn about the two warring sides of the fight, “A complex alliance system formed as each nation sought to preserve the balance of power in Europe. The Allies became Great Britain, Russia, France, Japan, and Italy; and the Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Turkey”. With the United States trying to maintain a neutral stance. The separation of the feuding nations brought so much death, violence, poverty, scarceness and insurmountable uncertainty of when it would be over. SInce there were multiple nations involved I can assume that the soldiers'/participants letters, like Solon's, would be read in order to censor any information that would get into the wrong hands. In this specific letter there are many sections that have been blacked out or crossed out since it would give away revealing locations and strategies.
4. This source is important to understanding American history because it allows for the reader to gain different perspectives on the events of WW1. This war has been covered in every academic history course I have taken because of the tremendous impact it had on our history. It helps personalize with the individuals who had a first hand experience of living during such unprecedented times. This source holds so much rich knowledge, that's why it was saved so that in years to come individuals could learn and experience events that molded our history.
5. If you were living in France during World War One would you have kept a diary or written letters to detail what was happening?
Hi Arlin! After reading what you initially wondered about whether the letters were opened before they reached their audience it was really interesting to see so much of this particular page censored. I wonder about who made the decision to censor the information, and of course, what's behind the black lines! The scene that Borglum describes is really fascinating. It is this kind of individualized experiences, documenting these encounters, that are really compelling to me as a historian!
I'd imagine life during WWI in France would be nerve-racking, as the anxiety from the German invasion and the stress that people go through during wartime would warrant writing a diary to keep yourself sane. While I don't expect my diary to reach the level of Solon Borglum or Anne Franke, I suppose writing a diary detailing the days of the war would be a way to cope and record the events of history. I'd definitely keep a diary, for historical records and for personal reasons.
If I was living in France during World War 1, I would keep a diary or written letters to detail what happen so I could remember that moment. To let other people to read my diaries/letters and learn from the past.
Everyday, I would write in my diary whatever event was happening in the moment so later I can look back and learn the historical significance of it. Also, when I complete all of my diary entries, people can read and learn from it. This would enable them to gain the knowledge of what happened in the past.