Ella Osborn’s 1918 diary provides insight into the experiences of an American nurse serving in
France at the end of World War I. In addition to her notes about the men under her care and
events in France, Osborn jotted down two popular World War I poems, “In Flanders Fields,” by
Canadian surgeon Lt. Col. John D. McCrae, and “The Answer,” by Lt. J. A. Armstrong of
Wisconsin.
McCrae composed “In Flanders Fields” on May 3, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres,
Belgium. It was published in Punch magazine on December 8, 1915, and became one of the most
popular and frequently quoted poems about the war. It was used for recruitment, in propaganda
efforts, and to sell war bonds. Today the red poppy of McCrae’s poem has become a symbol for
soldiers who have died in combat.
In Flanders Fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place.
“The Answer” is one of many poems written in response to “In Flanders Fields”:
Sleep peacefully, for all is well.
Your flaming torch aloft we bear,
With burning heart an oath we swear
To keep the faith to fight it through
To crush the foe, or sleep with you
In Flanders Field
Osborn’s transcripts of the poems contain some textual differences from the published versions.
Based on the ink used in the diary entries and the ink used in the verses, it appears she went back
in her diary to find empty pages to include the poems.
Transcripts
[The poems as transcribed in Osborn’s diary contain some textual differences from the published versions.]
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place. While in the Sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
2
World War I poems: “In Flanders Fields” & “The Answer,” 1918
© 2014 The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
www.gilderlehrman.org
Unheard, amid the guns below.
We are the dead, Short days ago
We lived, felt dawns, saw sunsets glow;
Loved and were loved – but now we lie
In Flanders Field
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from falling hands we throw
The torch, Be yours to bear it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep tho’ poppies blow
In Flanders Field.
The Answer –
In Flanders Field the cannon boom
And fitful flashes light the gloom;
While up above, like Eagles, fly
The fierce destroyers of the sky;
With stains the earth wherein you lie
Is redder than the poppy bloom
In Flanders Field.
Sleep on ye brave! The shrieking shell,
The quaking trench, the startling yell,
The fury of the battle hell
Shall wake you not; for all is well.
Sleep peacefully, for all is well.
Your flaming torch aloft we bear,
With burning heart an oath we swear
To keep the faith to fight it through
To crush the foe, or sleep with
The Royal African Company was chartered in 1672 by the crown of England.
Hernan Cortes is the explorer not correctly matched with his region. He did not explore western South America, but instead explored Mexico. He fought in Mexico and led the downfall of the Aztec Empire. For this, he received a high-ranking medal and this helped him move up as a noble of a better level in the social ranking. He also used the tactics of being friends with some indigenous groups versus others. He brought large parts of Mexico under the Spanish Castille rule.
Answer:
artifacts and features to learn how people lived in specific times and places.
Explanation:
Precedent means "a decision that can be legally used due to the current situation"
For example, in the US constitution:
1) "The Ratification of the Conventions of 9 states, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the Same"
- It is already ratified, and so we don't really need it
2) "All debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the US under this Constitution, as under the Confederation"
-Again, it is already ratified, note that it says "before the adoption"
3) "No person held to Service or Labour in One state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labour, but shall be delivered up on claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due".
- We really don't need this anymore, because we don't have slavery
hope this helps
