The Legacy of ‘The Great War’
Lincoln Presidential Library examines impact of World War I, a century after its official end

 

[June 25, 2019] 

World War I resulted in millions of deaths and ushered in a new age of warfare. It also gave the victors a chance to remake the world in ways that are still felt today, as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will explore in a special presentation June 27.

In “The Legacy of World War I,” historian Mark DePue will explain the Treaty of Versailles, the document that officially ended the war a century ago on June 28, 1919. Using maps, pictures and audio, the popular speaker will show how the victors in “The Great War” used their power.

President Woodrow Wilson had his Fourteen Points for international cooperation and a new League of Nations, but France and Britain had their own goals. European borders were redrawn, and colonies around the globe changed hands. Germany was punished, planting seeds of discontent.

DePue, head of the presidential library’s Oral History Program, frequently speaks on military topics from Gettysburg to D-Day. His popular presentations take familiar names from history books and bring them to life, explaining how events unfolded and why they matter.

The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the presidential museum’s Union Theater, 212 N. Sixth Street, Springfield. To reserve your seat, visit www.President Lincoln.Illinois.gov  and click on “special event reservations.”

The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum uses a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship to immerse visitors in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Visitors can see ghosts come to life on stage, watch TV coverage of the 1860 presidential election, roam through the Lincoln White House, experience booming cannons in a Civil War battle and come face to face with priceless original Lincoln artifacts.

The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln books, documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.

For more information, visit www. PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. 

[Christopher Wills]