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Back to British values
Tolerance and Inclusivity

Tolerance and Inclusivity means that all religious groups are free to practice their faith without intimidation and that different political views can be held and expressed without persecution or prosecution. It also ensures that all groups can participate and contribute fully to the society around them.

In this lesson, Tolerance and Inclusivity are explored by examining the ways in which the British authorities allowed different groups from different backgrounds to be involved with the British military during the First World War.

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What discrimination was there against Jews living in or representing Britain during the First World War period?

1. Ask the students to read the stories of the men and women in the records below:

On paper, create a Facebook page for each of the people above based on the information that you have.

2. Working in groups, ask the students to each read/look at two of the History Windows listed below.

On a piece of A4 paper ask the students to make two columns – one list of positive things they can identify in the text and one that lists negative experiences.

3. Ask the students to use the information they have to decide the following:

– Were Jews treated unfairly during the First World War by the British authorities?
– Did Britain treat Jews differently to the way they were treated in other countries?
– Were British Jews no different to other groups in British society?

Core theme - Commonalities:

Using the information ask the students to create a statement on common values of tolerance and how they can be demonstrated in wartime and in peace time.

Related History Windows

Browse our history windows
Postcard photograph. Royal Fusiliers, 38th - 42nd Battalions the "Judeans". ©Jewish Museum London/Jewish Military Museum

The Jewish Legion, the Royal Fusiliers and the Judeans.

On 2 February 1918, the 38th battalion marched through the City of London. To demonstrate that the men were not just a gimmick, the Mayor allowed them to march with fixed bayonets. On 3 February, the men left London for the Middle East.

The Royal Navy’s HMS Dreadnought, the world’s first dreadnought. Public Domain

The Royal Navy

At the outbreak of the First World War, the Royal Navy had been dominating the high seas for over a century. It played a pivotal role in protecting the British Empire and most crucially protecting British trade.

Soldiers in Jewish Communities HW

First World War Soldiers in the Jewish Communities

Jewish soldiers travelled widely across Europe and frequently visited Jewish communities, often in the areas they had come from originally.

Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 5 May 1915. The Zionist Corps leaving Anzac. Courtesy of Australian War Memorial

The Zion Muleteers of Gallipoli (March 1915 - May 1916), by Martin Sugarman

The Zion Mule Corps was formed in March 1915 and was the first regular Jewish fighting force for 2000 years.

Queen Alexandra Nurses HW

The Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

The Queen Alexandra nurses were the official female unit for medical services in the British military.

Related Personal Records

  • Emily Hartman
    HAR0886
    28/04/1895-20/10/1918
  • Montague Nathan Abrahams
    ABR9615
    1875-03/09/1916
  • Isaac Henry Woolf 'Jack' Barnato
    BAR3678
    07/06/1894-26/10/1918
  • Dorah Bernstein
    BER4267
    17/01/1888-06/11/1918
  • Morris Moss Bright
    BRI0257
    09/08/1890-24/12/1965
  • Jack White
    WHI6291
    23/12/1896-27/11/1949
    • Thinking keys

    The following thinking keys may be of use to teachers to use when discussing the British values with students, particularly for challenging more able students. The list is designed to provoke thought and discussion for what is a complex topic for us all.

    Commonalities:

    The similarities and differences between British Values and those held by other countries are…

    Interpretations:

    British Values are more relevant now than they will ever be in future, because…

    Questions and answers:

    The answer is: “That’s why it is important to carefully develop students’ understanding of British Values before they leave school.” 

    So what was the question?

    Alternatives:

    If the British government did not engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts around the world, what would be the consequences be: 

    • regionally?
    • nationally?
    • globally?

    How might Britain’s diplomatic policies need to evolve following the decision to leave the European Union?

    What if?

    What if Britain removed the rights of some people to vote? On what basis might this be acceptable? 

    How would it be compatible with or seen in the context of British Values? 

    Forced relationship:

    How might Britain’s values be different today if... 

    • it had lost World War 1 or 2?
    • the British Empire had not existed?
    • it were not an island?
    • social media had not been invented?
    • the internet had not been invented?

    More British values

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    London Jews in the First World War - We Were There Too

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    Documenting & commemorating the contribution British Jews made during the First World War.

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