Live and let live (World War I) facts for kids
Live and let live was a surprising way soldiers behaved during World War I. It means soldiers on opposite sides sometimes stopped fighting each other. This often happened during trench warfare on the Western Front. A famous example is the Christmas Truce of 1914.
This behavior meant soldiers chose not to use violence. Sometimes they made clear agreements or truces. Other times, it was an unspoken understanding. Soldiers might avoid shooting or fire their weapons in a way that showed they didn't want to hurt anyone. It was like "letting sleeping dogs lie," meaning they didn't stir up trouble.
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How Soldiers Lived and Let Live
This behavior was common among small groups of soldiers. These included privates and non-commissioned officers. Even individual soldiers on guard duty sometimes refused to shoot at enemy soldiers.
Snipers, machine-gun teams, and even artillery units showed this behavior. They might deliberately miss their targets. Or they would fire at empty areas. This showed they didn't want to cause harm.
Why Commanders Disliked It
Higher-ranking commanders knew about this non-aggressive behavior. They sometimes checked casualty numbers to see if it was happening. They often ordered raids or patrols. This was to make sure soldiers kept their "fighting spirit."
The "Live and Let Live" system was very fragile. It could easily break if deadly force was used. It also became harder to maintain as the war went on.
Researching Live and Let Live
Tony Ashworth studied this topic. He looked at diaries, letters, and stories from war veterans. He found that "live and let live" was well-known at the time. It happened most often when units were resting away from intense battles.
Game Theory and Cooperation
Some experts, like Robert Axelrod, have looked at "Live and Let Live" using game theory. They compare it to a repeated game called the prisoner's dilemma. Axelrod thought it was like a cooperative strategy called Tit for Tat.
However, other experts disagree with this idea. They argue that the conditions for the prisoner's dilemma don't quite fit this situation.
