The British Council's report on the First World War, 'Remember The World As Well As The War', presents findings from an international survey in seven countries (Egypt, France, Germany, India, Turkey, Russia and the UK) carried out by YouGov.
It explores people's perceptions and knowledge about the First World War and highlights the truly global nature of the conflict and its lasting legacy.
The report also identifies that international perceptions of the UK today are, in part, still influenced by Britain's role in the First World War.
With this report, the British Council calls on the world to use the centenary commemorations to create a better understanding of the global nature of the war – recognising its ongoing impact on trust and understanding between the UK and countries around the world.
Some of the results from France are:
- 38% overall rate the First World War as one of their top three most important international events of the past 100 years.
- 67% overall feel that France is still affected by the consequences of the First World War.
- 26% overall have a positive opinion of the UK; 28% state that Britain’s role in the First World War has a positive effect on their opinion of the UK.
- 89% overall feel that the First World War should be commemorated
- Most frequent word associations with the First World War: death / trenches / hairy (poilus) / battle of Verdun / horror / gas / Germany / butchery / massacre / war / unnecessary
Download a copy of the report 'Remember The World As Well As The War' in English, or it is now also available in French (this report is no longer available).