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The First World War has gone but it did place not only feelings of agony but also

losses for both two sides: Allies and Central Powers. In the battle of Passchendaele on October 12th 1917, New Zealand suffered the greatest loss in number of death in just one day in New Zealand history. Because of that greatest loss, future generations should remember that battle as a valuable lesson. My grandfather and my uncle had died when they were South Vietnamese soldiers during Vietnam War. Happening from 1955 to 1975, Vietnam War was the war between communism and capitalism. New Zealand Army also supported South Vietnamese government by sending troops to the South. The war had gone over but South Vietnamese people received a great loss: the defeat of South Vietnamese government. However, the bereavement of my two relatives also affected me painfully. Besides, it relates to the First World War. Every war has similarities: victory and defeat. The victory of Allies in the First World War brings to them pride about their merit to soldiers that had died for the purpose of peace. However, the number of dead people was very large which influenced to psychology of New Zealand citizens as well as me. To understand more about the battle of Passchendale, World War One and World War Two, we need to understand the consequences of these wars. What did World War One and World War Two cause to humans society over one century? The war not only impacted painful on soldiers from 1914 to 1918 but also created a great consequence for Germany after the war. About the economy, the cost during the war was nearly $39 billion. Moreover, many workmen had died during the war so that machinery was run by ill trained people. The economy also suffered from shortages of raw materials. As a result of the Armistice and the international community shunned the Germans, they found difficult to buy raw materials and drive car until the end of the war. After World War Two, Germany was divided by four parts (America, British, French and Soviet). It was also morally bankrupt and all the Germans who wanted to be guiltless had to convince the Allies that they weren't Nazis. This denazification process was felt to be very degrading. In many parts of the country essentials such as food were in short supply. Even if they were 'there' on paper, transport problems often prevented efficient distribution. In the Soviet occupied Germany, many entire factories and railroad lines were dismantled by the order of Joseph Stalin and shipped to USSR. Then they will be reassembled again. Soviet Government also built some concentration camps for Nazis and suspected opponents of the Soviet administration as inmates. As we can see, sadness had happened to Germany over many years after the war. In my opinion, they might have learnt valuable experiences about keeping peace for the world other than creating war because of hatred and being greedy. I also ask myself one question, why do we need to remember the battle of Passchendaele? What is the purpose of remembering dead soldiers? The more soldiers died, the more we feel sad. Every time we remember dead soldiers, we also have time to remember the relatives of ours before they died. We also learn precious experiences: war is not all, even though being victorious side or defeated sides, two sides have same sore feelings because of great losses. Therefore, war teaches future generations to respect rights that we have now because of New Zealand soldiers sacrifices over two world wars. It also teaches us to live in peaceful unity. When we live in unity, we become more nearer even the defeats. In the peace, we know that we will feel the real joy of victorious man. The victory here is not the victory against the enemy but it is against the anger, hatred, greediness and combativeness.

Therefore, I think schools should promote about the cruelty of the First World War and as well as the battle of Passchendaele to pupils to teach them how to know the truth about war and lead them to live in a peaceful unity. Not only History students but also students of other subjects should know and understand clearly the First World War and Second World War. In conclusion, First World War and Second World War had given a great loss for New Zealand and other countries that attended those two wars. The battle of Passchendaele was the greatest loss of New Zealand Army in just one day. Every year when there is a memorable day for the victory of First World War and Second World War, future generation should learn more about those wars and have awareness for building peace and unity in our society.

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