Question

Why do you think the Eastern European, Middle East, and African fronts get so much less attention in history classes and in popular culture?

Answer 1

The lack of attention to Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African fronts in history classes stems from varying regional perspectives, traditional Eurocentric biases in historical narratives, and the dominance of Western countries in global history. Postcolonial theories aim to balance this and as global dynamics shift, calls to revise historical perspectives are growing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the Lack of Attention to Certain Fronts in World War II

The question of why the Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African fronts receive less attention in history classes is multifaceted. One significant factor is the varying perspectives and priorities of the producers and consumers of history books. Notably, Western European and United States history books often emphasize events such as the German invasion of Poland in 1939 or the attack on Pearl Harbor, reflecting their own historical and cultural experiences. Likewise, attention to the broader global events of World War II can vary based on regional perspectives - with different narratives prevalent in French, British, German, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese texts.

The limited attention can also be attributed to historical biases, with a focus traditionally being placed on regions directly linked to Western Europe's history. Nationalism and Orientalism have played a role in shaping the narratives of historical events, often sidelining the experiences and contributions of non-Western societies. This Eurocentric viewpoint has historically marginalized the importance of regions like Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Furthermore, the colonizing efforts of the Western world have led to a dominance in historical narratives. Policies and actions of colonialism, slavery, and genocide have disrupted indigenous cultures. Postcolonial theories aim to address this imbalance, offering a more nuanced understanding of global history. As the world changes and nations outside of Europe assert themselves, there is a growing call to re-evaluate historical perspectives and provide a more balanced historical account that acknowledges the importance of all regions.

Answer 2

Students get a more in depth look at World War I (WW1) battles using this graphic organizer. They pick 10 of 16 battles to research and in the chart they fill in the battle name, when and where it happened, which side won, and the general historical significance to the battle. They also answer 10 questions of varying levels of difficulty about specific battles, the variety of fronts, technology and weapons developments, and more. I typically have students do this in pairs. Depending on what you cover in class, the students might need access to reference books or the internet to do additional research. This is appropriate for both US and World History. The answers are included and this would be great for a sub!