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
Answer:
Explanation:
Between 1820 and 1860 there was rapid expansion and great arguments about the morality and validity of slavery. The Second Great Awakening filled a greater Protestant religion into American society and culture. It was the religious people's responsibility to improve the morality of American society to achieve God's mission. Americans were successful at imposing reforms on society in the form of abolitionism, women's rights, and the reform of certain forms of moral vice, such as prostitution and alcoholism. However, and sadly, no reforms were entirely successful. I think that some parallels exist today because of the moral reform movement to stop violence and sexual behavior in the media, and Anti-Abortion believers who argue for an increase in human morality to meet the expectations of the Christian moral tradition.
Answer:
D. He had been against American involvement before becoming president.
Explanation: just saying it might be wrong
Answer:
Each peasant had they're own strips of land and peasants had to build roads, clear forests, and other tasks. Peasants were also poor
Explanation:
Answer:
The correct answer is B. The official body that must confirm and approve the appointments of Alan's 15 nominees is the Senate.
Explanation:
The Senate has several exclusive powers, which are listed in the Article 1 of the United States Constitution; the most significant is that the president cannot ratify international treaties or, with rare exceptions, cannot make important designations of authorities (the most important being ambassadors, members of the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court and members of the Cabinet) without the consent and advice of the Senate.
