War and Peace: Weapons of War in Times of Peace（Minty Lu）

 

War and Peace: Weapons of War in Times of Peace


Target Audience:

  • Age Range: 11-12 years old

  • Group Size: School groups (10–20 participants)

Activity Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Location: On-site at Fort York Museum

Activity Overview:In this event, we will explore the relationship between war and peace through three historical weapons: cannons, muskets, and swords. We will also gain a deeper understanding of how these weapons were used on the battlefield during the Battle of York, and how they symbolize conflict and protection in history. Finally, through interactive activities and artistic creation, participants will draw inspiration and insights from these historical weapons to design "weapons" that represent peace.






Lesson Plan

1. Introduction and Background (5 minutes)

  • Background of Fort York:
    Introduce the historical background of Fort York, especially during wartime. Explain its importance as a key historical site in Toronto. Originally established by the British in 1793 to protect the newly founded town of York (later Toronto) from American invasions, Fort York played a significant role in the War of 1812. It was particularly pivotal during the Battle of York in 1813 when it was captured and partially destroyed by American forces.

  • Historical Context of Weapons:
    Discuss the roles of cannons, muskets, and swords in defense and combat during the war.

    • Cannon:

      • Defense: Positioned within fortifications to strike
        enemies at a distance and protect the fort.

      • Firepower: Used in battle to destroy enemy defenses and concentrated troops.

    • Musket:

      • Defense: Soldiers used muskets in coordinated volleys to form a defensive line and repel advancing forces.

      • Firepower: Effective in close-range combat, especially during enemy breaches.

    • Sword:

      • Defense: A soldier's final line of defense when ammunition was depleted.

      • Close Combat: Essential in narrow spaces like fort interiors or trenches.

  • Thematic Exploration:

    A brief exploration of the theme of "war and peace": Wars in history are often accompanied by technological advancements, as people continuously develop new technologies in the course of competition. The emergence and use of these weapons showcase humanity's creativity and cruelty in warfare. However, the destructive nature of war has also made people place greater emphasis on the importance of peace. Based on the brief introduction of the three weapons above, we have understood how crucial these weapons have been on the battlefield. So, in today's peaceful era, do these weapons still hold any other significance?





2. Object 1: Cannon (Display and Discussion – 4 minutes)

  • Discussion Prompts:

    • How did cannons play a role in warfare? How did they protect Toronto during the Battle of York?

    • Why have cannons historically been seen as a symbol of war?

    • As a powerful weapon in warfare, can cannons have other uses in peacetime? Can they also be seen as a "force for peace," for example, by deterring conflicts?

  • Objective:
    Through the background introduction in the first step, participants are guided to gain a deeper understanding of the role of cannons in historical warfare and to consider whether cannons can symbolize other meanings in peacetime as well.


3. Object 2: Musket (Display and Discussion – 4 minutes)



  • Discussion Prompts:

    • What role did muskets play in battles, and how did they change warfare?

    • How did the widespread use of muskets affect soldiers’ tactics and equipment? Did it make war more brutal?

    • If muskets were redesigned for peacetime use, such as maintaining public safety, how might they differ? Could they still have a connection to peace?

  • Objective:
    Through the background introduction in the first step, the discussion focuses on the combat function of muskets and guides participants to imagine whether muskets could still find meaningful roles in peacetime.



4. Object 3: Sword (Display and Discussion – 4 minutes)



  • Discussion Prompts:

    • What were swords historically used for? Were they only symbols of the age of melee combat?

    • In close combat, how were swords used? Could they symbolize personal courage and honor?

    • Can a sword also represent peace？

  • Objective： Through the background introduction in the first step, the discussion will focus on the significance of swords in weaponry. The sword has its unique strategic importance. Although, with the advent of firearms, have gradually become symbolic in modern warfare, it still holds a distinct role. The sword is not merely an accessory; many military swords were actually designed to be attached to the front of a rifle, which was very common on the Asia-Pacific battlefield during World War II. Similar exhibits can also be found at Fort York. The continued presence of such cold weapons in modern armed forces, dominated by firearms, is enough to demonstrate the symbolic and strategic significance of the sword in military equipment.



5. Activity: Design a “Sword of Peace” (10 minutes）

Based on the above discussion, weapons can not only represent war but also symbolize security and peace, such as the sword. In the Middle Ages, swords appeared in the coats of arms of many nations as a symbol of power and strength. This shows that weapons do not only represent killing; they can also represent peace, depending on how we use them. The misuse of force and power leads to violence and death. Therefore, let us design a "Sword of Peace" to spark a discussion on how we can embrace these weapons in times of peace.

  • Materials: Cardboard, utility knives, markers, and pencils.
  • Steps:

    1. Provide each participant with cardboard, utility knife, markers and pencil.

    2. Ask the participants to design a "Sword of Peace" by drawing any sword shape on the cardboard with a pencil.

    3. Have them cut out the drawn shape using a utility knife.

    4. On the cut-out cardboard, encourage participants to use markers and add decorative elements, such as symbols of peace like doves, sunlight, or trees

    5. Allow participants to freely express their creativity and design a sword they believe represents "peace."

    6. At the end of the activity, invite each participant to present their design and briefly explain their ideas and creative process.


(Example I made)



  • Purpose and Significance of the Activity:

  • Why are cannons still displayed in the city center? Because they serve as a record of past history, including the annual commemorations to honor fallen soldiers. They remind us of the conflicts that took place, both on this land and elsewhere in the world. These reminders show us that we no longer use them in the same way today. For us now, these weapons may serve more as symbols, as representations of territorial defense. However, on the other hand, in other parts of the world, these weapons are still in use, and for the people in those places, they hold different meanings. This shift is a very significant transformation for people in countries that have just come out of war or are still in conflict. Many still struggle with the trauma and the ongoing psychological effects of war. I hope that through activities like this and by engaging with this history, they can embrace this transformation and accept that they are in a safe place. More importantly, war will end, and places like this, once peaceful, have experienced war. We survived it, and what we need to do now is face these weapons with respect and know how to coexist with them. They once symbolized killing, but when they are locked away in museums, nothing speaks more clearly of a peaceful era than the dust on these weapons.

  • By designing the "Sword of Peace," we explore what "weapons" in a time of peace could look like, encouraging people to rethink the purpose and concept of "weapons" and consider how these tools of war can be transformed into symbols of peace.

  • As a finished product, it serves as a reminder that a sword can be a symbol of a nation's security and strength, while also reminding people to always remember the history of past wars and cherish the peace we have today.




6. Conclusion (3 minutes)

  • Summary:

    • Cannons, muskets, and swords are not just the objects they represent; they are tools of war and more—powerful and terrifying weapons in times of conflict. However, in times of peace, these weapons become symbols of national security. A country without strong military power lacks stable and secure international relations. Canada is a nation of immigrants, with people from all over the world, but wars still occur globally every day, which means we do not truly live in a peaceful era. Yet, we are fortunate to live in a peaceful country, within a stable social system, and the peace we enjoy today was earned by our predecessors through the use of cannons, muskets, and swords. Therefore, we must cherish this hard-earned peace.

    • In the end, we need weapons because their power can protect us; but at the same time, we must respect weapons and revere their power. This power is like insurance—while we hope never to use it, its existence is meant to serve as a deterrent. However, this deterrence should not lead to killing, but rather inspire people to strive for peace.