Commemoration in the United States: ‘The reason for fighting I never got straight’

Abstract

The United States entered the First World War late, in April 1917, and so its centenary commemoration of the war will begin well after those of its former associated powers and enemies. Even in 2017, however, US commemoration will likely be muted by the past and present ramifications of the debate and confusion over the meanings and significance of the First World War to the United States that have raged since the end of the war itself.

美国参战是在1917年4月，是一战的后期了。因此它的一战纪念活动会晚于从前的那些友国和帝国。即便在2017年，过去和现在关于一战意义的争吵（战争结束以来就没停过）也会消弱纪念活动的音量。

Keywords:

• commemoration
• First World War centenary
• memory
• United States

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

¹For commentary on Canadian centennial plans and spending, see Clifford (2012), Harris (2014) and Kostrich (2014). Currency conversions to AUD undertaken by the author on 12 March 2015.

²See Fleming (2003: 479–80). For a more measured assessment of the AEF's battlefield contributions in a popular history see Eisenhower (2002).