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Even as World War I came to an end, millions of people across Europe continued to suffer from lack of food and adequate housing. With countries struggling to transition from war to peace, international assistance was crucial to the survival of civilians in the immediate postwar period.
In this issue of Understanding the Great War, we examine American humanitarian efforts and the leading philanthropists who made war relief possible.
“My dear Godfathers, I begin my letter with two affectionate kisses; the first one because you are brave soldiers and very good to France, —the second one to thank you for your generous gift, with which mother will be able to buy me a tonic. […] papa and maman wish to express their gratitude; and my little brother sends kisses and so do I, but mine are more affectionate than his because I love you more.”
— A letter from nine-year-old French girl Marie Rouget to American soldiers, reproduced in the American Red Cross booklet From French “Mascots” To Their American “Godfathers”, pg. 18.
American Woman Rebuilds Village: Hattonchatel is Reconstructed by Miss Belle Skinner
June 27, 1920 Sun-Herald Newspaper Article
Ruth Isabelle (Belle) Skinner was a businesswoman and philanthropist, who in the aftermath of the war helped rebuild the small French town of Hattonchâtel. This newspaper article from the time tells the story.
Recommended Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College, Adult Learners
Format: Primary Source
Learn more about Belle Skinner with this article from Vassar College.
Theodore Roosevelt speaking to the Circle for Negro War Relief
Theodore Roosevelt Center
One week before the armistice that ended war on the Western Front, former president Theodore Roosevelt delivered an address to the Circle for Negro War Relief at Carnegie Hall in New York, praising them for their efforts in the war against Germany.
Recommended Grade Levels: High School, College, Adult Learners
Format: Primary Source (Images of typeset document)
Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB)
1914-1918 Online
Led by future U.S. president Herbert Hoover, the Commission for Relief in Belgium was one of the most successful relief organizations during World War I. From 1914-1919, the CRB provided critical food supplies to over 9 million French and Belgian civilians living under German occupation. Learn more in this article from 1914-1919 Online.
Recommended Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College, Adult Learners
Format: Online Article
Quaker Civilian War-Relief in the Great War and its Aftermath, 1914‑1922
Home Before the Leaves Fall: The Great War 1914-1918
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) were, and remain, committed to peace. Despite their refusal to participate in war, Quakers were involved with reconstruction work in Europe during and after World War I.
Recommended Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College, Adult Learners
Format: Online Article
Learn more about their support initiatives during the war from the Daughters of the American Revolution website.
The United States World War One Centennial Commission and the National WWI Museum and Memorial are dedicated to educating the public about the causes, events, and consequences of the conflict and we encourage the use of these resources to better understand the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.
Partners on this project include:
Pritzker Military Museum and Library National Archives The Great War YouTube Channel MacArthur Memorial National History Day American Battle Monuments Commission Stanford History Education Group Center for Middle Eastern Studies, University of Arizona HISTORY® AFS Intercultural Programs Library of Congress New York State Archives Partnership Trust / New York State Archives Aberdeen Proving Ground The Map as History International Baccalaureate College Board Villanova University Facing History and Ourselves Mission du centenaire de la Première Guerre mondiale Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Google Arts & Culture Scholastic
The Pritzker Military Museum and Library is a founding sponsor of the United States World War One Centennial Commission.