Ernest Hemingway The Lost Generation Ernest Hemingway 1899

Ernest Hemingway & The Lost Generation

Ernest Hemingway 1899 -1961 Famous American writer, reporter, and adventurer. n Fought in World War One. n Reported during the Spanish Civil War. n Won a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize for his books. n Lived in Key West, Florida. n

The Lost Generation

Who were they? n The Lost Generation were American soldiers who fought in World War One. They fought to make “the world safe for democracy. ” However, many returned home disillusioned over the horrors they endured in the war. Ten years after the war, many of the Lost Generation became the first victims of the Great Depression. .

Famous Writers of the Lost Generation Ernest Hemingway n F. Scott Fitzgerald n John Dos Passos n Gertrude Stein n Many of these writers lived in Paris to write in an atmosphere that was more tolerant and open minded.

World War One 1914 -1918 One of bloodiest wars in human history to date. n The combination of modern weapons and trench warfare killed millions of soldiers. n World War One was a stalemate until the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) arrived in the Spring of 1917. n 8 to 10 million soldiers would die in a war that was virtually unnecessary. n

A rare and true color photo from the war!!!!!

Why so bloody? n “Neither numbers nor miraculous machines will determine victory. This will go to soldiers with valor and quality – and by this I mean superior physical and moral endurance, offensive spirit. ” French General Adolphe Messimy. I. III. Incompetent and arrogant Generals Outdated tactics Nationalistic fervor

Disillusionment Of all the soldiers who fought in World War One, most felt they had fought for nothing. n Though America and her allies won, millions had been sacrificed for small gains. n Back home, Americans wanted to hear heroic stories of combat. n Returning soldiers had a rough time readjusting to civilian life and all the changes that happened. n

The best years of their lives were lost.

Check for Understanding 1. Who was Ernest Hemingway? 2. Why was WWI such a horrible war? 3. Why was that generation considered lost?