1. Source A Advance to next slide Advance to source material Click for help EndPPTPrintwork

2. Write descriptions of differing interpretations of the Generals. What I’m Looking For What I’m Looking For Give an explanation of why different historical interpretations might be produced. Use appropriate dates and historical terms. Click to reveal Suitably structure your work.

3. Click to reveal Source B Source B Source B Source B Source A Source A Source A Source A

4. [A.J.P.Taylor, a socialist historian, writing in a specialist history book, The First World War, (1963). As a socialist he would have sided with the men rather than the Generals] Source B Source B Source B Source B Source A Source A Source A Source A Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? Who is the author? What do they do? When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced? (The soldiers) lost faith in their cause, in their leaders, in everything except loyalty to their fighting friends … The Somme set the picture by which future generations saw the First World War: brave, helpless soldiers; blundering, obstinate generals; nothing achieved. After the Somme men decided that the war would go on forever.

5. The British generals were no worse than those of any other … nation. All Great War generals faced an unsolvable problem; how to break a strong front of trenches, barbed wire, machine-guns and artillery with the weak instrument of human flesh. [From an article by military historian John Keegan in the Daily Telegraph (7 th November 1998). Keegan is a former lecturer in military history and he has written many military history books] Source B Source B Source B Source B Source A Source A Source A Source A Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? Who is the author? What do they do? When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced?

6. (The soldiers) lost faith in their cause, in their leaders, in everything except loyalty to their fighting friends … The Somme set the picture by which future generations saw the First World War: brave, helpless soldiers; blundering, obstinate generals; nothing achieved. After the Somme men decided that the war would go on forever. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? Source A Source A Source A Source A

7. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? (The soldiers) lost faith in their cause, in their leaders, in everything except loyalty to their fighting friends … The Somme set the picture by which future generations saw the First World War: brave, helpless soldiers; blundering, obstinate generals; nothing achieved. After the Somme men decided that the war would go on forever. Source A Source A Source A Source A

8. Read the information below and to try and help you understand the views of the soldiers after the Battle of the Somme in 1916. A wounded soldier is carried from the front at the Battle of the Somme, 1916 Source: Wikimedia Commons The Battle of the Somme (July 1 st - Nov 1916) saw the British Army suffer 420,000 casualties including nearly 60,000 on the first day alone. The battle has been seen as one that showed the ineffectiveness of trench warfare and was believed to have been due to poor leadership. As a result Douglas Haig received a lot of criticism. The battle was also significant as many of the men who fought had not seen action before. Many were part of "Kitchener’s Volunteer Army" persuaded to volunteer in 1914 and 1915. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals?

9. [A.J.P.Taylor, a socialist historian, writing in a specialist history book, The First World War, (1963). As a socialist he would have sided with the men rather than the Generals] Who is the author? What do they do? Source A Source A Source A Source ASocialist Historian Specialist history book Answers Click the tabs to match the terms on the left with an explanation on the right. A book dealing solely with WW1. One of many books written for commercial purposes Means he disliked the upper classes and looked to present the views of the men in the trenches. Means he disliked the upper classes and looked to present the views of the men in the trenches. Means he was an expert in the history of the First World War. Means he was an expert in the history of the First World War. A book dealing solely with WW1. One of many books written for commercial purposes

10. [A.J.P.Taylor, a socialist historian, writing in a specialist history book, The First World War, (1963). As a socialist he would have sided with the men rather than the Generals] When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? Source A Source A Source A Source AAnswers Written when many of those who fought at the Somme were still alive. Having lived during the period of the events Taylor was more emotive in his writing. Taylor had not fought at the Somme so knew little of the events. The author was alive when the battle took place and may have known people who died. By this time Taylor was a well established historian who looked to attack Great men of history. Written long after the events so is less reliable. Click on the tabs to change to the correct colour.

11. [A.J.P.Taylor, a socialist historian, writing in a specialist history book, The First World War, (1963). As a socialist he would have sided with the men rather than the Generals] What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced? Source A Source A Source A Source A Account of Lloyd George, member of the government in 1916. Accounts given by the generals. Accounts given by former soldiers. Official records that were available. The Government has a 30 year rule on evidence but does not need to release everything. Lloyd George was very critical of Haig. Many of them were bitter and blamed Haig for the loss of friends. Click on the statements that you believe to be true. Haig died in 1928, whilst Taylor chose not to interview them.

12. The British generals were no worse than those of any other … nation. All Great War generals faced an unsolvable problem; how to break a strong front of trenches, barbed wire, machine- guns and artillery with the weak instrument of human flesh. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? Source B Source B Source B Source B

13. Field Marshal Luigi Cadorna Field Marshal Luigi Cadorna What do you know about the Generals of the WW1? Match the general with the statement. Answers Field Marshal Douglas Haig Field Marshal Douglas Haig Erich von Falkenhayn Marshal Joseph Joffre Images taken from wikimedia.commons Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. In 1915 ordered four failed offensives against the Austro- Hungarians that resulted in 250,000 casualties. At Verdun wanted France ‘bled white.’ The battle led to nearly a million casualties. Most remembered for the Battle of the Somme. Referred to by some as the ‘Butcher of the Somme.’ Was responsible for attacks against Germany in Alsace- Lorraine in 1914. Cost lots of lives and nearly led to French defeat.

14. Read the information below and to try and help you understand something of trench warfare during the First World War. Aerial view of the village of Passchendaele before and after the Third Battle of Ypres, 1917. Source: Wikimedia Commons After the Germans were unable to make further advances in 1914 they chose to dig in to stop the Allied advances. Unable to break through this line of German defences the British and French had little option but dig their own trenches. The result was the Western Front which ran 440 miles. The problem for both sides was how to breakthrough the system of trenches The First World War saw the use of 'modern' weapons. The machine gun and artillery made it difficult to advance whilst the development of gas canisters and tanks failed to help the armies make a breakthrough. The First World War saw the use of 'modern' weapons. The machine gun and artillery made it difficult to advance whilst the development of gas canisters and tanks failed to help the armies make a breakthrough. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals?

15. Meant that he worked for a Sandhurst and was able to spend much time carrying out research. [From an article by military historian John Keegan in the Daily Telegraph (7 th November 1998). Keegan is a former lecturer in military history and he has written many military history books] Who is the author? What do they do? Military Historian Former Lecturer Article This type of historian studies the causes of war, strategy and tactics, and military leaders. Answers This type of historian studies the causes of war, strategy and tactics, and military leaders. Found in a newspaper so was not detailed. Daily Telegraph readers tend to be middle-class. Source B Source B Source B Source B Click the tabs to match the terms on the left with an explanation on the right. Found in a newspaper so was not detailed. Daily Telegraph readers tend to be middle-class. Meant that he worked for a Sandhurst and was able to spend much time carrying out research.

16. [From an article by military historian John Keegan in the Daily Telegraph (7 th November 1998). Keegan is a former lecturer in military history and he has written many military history books] When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? Answers Appeared in the newspaper before Remembrance Sunday. Written a long time after the events so was less emotive. Keegan had not fought at the Somme so knew little of the events. The author was able to study a huge variety of source material. Written when Generals such as Haig were no longer seen as fools by many historians. Written over eighty years after the events so is less reliable. Click on the tabs to change to the correct colour. Source B Source B Source B Source B

17. What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced? Details of technology available to the generals. Accounts and documents given by the generals. Accounts given by former soldiers. Official records that were available. The Government has a 30 year rule on evidence. By 1998 most official records were available to historians. Keegan looked at how technology affected warfare. There not many alive in 1998 but their accounts had been recorded by many historians. Click on the statements that you believe to be true. Would not have been able to interview the generals but could use diaries such as that of Haig. [From an article by military historian John Keegan in the Daily Telegraph (7 th November 1998). Keegan is a former lecturer in military history and he has written many military history books] Source B Source B Source B Source B