How have the actions of First World War Generals been interpreted?

1. How have the actions of First World War Generals been interpreted? What different interpretations exist on the actions of the Generals of the First World War? Were British generals worse than those of other combatant nations or did they learn as the war went on? These are questions that you will be able to answer after the completion of this task. Click icons to: Click for help End PPT Print work Advance to next slide Advance to source material Source A

2. How have the actions of First World War Generals been interpreted? So what are you expected to do? Write descriptions of differing interpretations of the Generals. 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. How have the actions of First World War Generals been interpreted? What is the task? Study sources A and B: how and why do they give contrasting opinions of the First World War Generals? Describe how the interpretations differ and give reasons to explain why they might is. Click to reveal Click to reveal Source A Source B

4. 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. When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? Who is the author? What do they do? [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 A Source B What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced?

5. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? 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. When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? Who is the author? What do they do? [From an article by military historian John Keegan in the Daily Telegraph (7th November 1998). Keegan is a former lecturer in military history and he has written many military history books] Source A Source B What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced?

6. 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. Which words are used to describe the generals and which describe the soldiers? Try and explain what this means. Generals Soldiers Record your ideas 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. Battle of the Somme What did the soldiers think about the generals? Why was this? Record your ideas Source A

8. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? Read the information below and to try and help you understand the views of the soldiers after the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The Battle of the Somme, 1916 The Battle of the Somme (July 1st - 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. A wounded soldier is carried from the front at the Battle of the Somme, 1916Source: Wikimedia Commons

9. Who is the author? What do they do? [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 can you learn about the author? A book dealing solely with WW1. One of many books written for commercial purposes Socialist Means he disliked the upper classes and looked to present the views of the men in the trenches. Historian Means he was an expert in the history of the First World War. 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. Specialist history book A book dealing solely with WW1. One of many books written for commercial purposes Click the tabs to match the terms on the left with an explanation on the right. Answers Source A

10. When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? [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] Why might the date be important? 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. True False Answers Source A Click on the tabs to change to the correct colour.

11. What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced? [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 types of evidence might have been looked at? Haig died in 1928, whilst Taylor chose not to interview them. Accounts given by the generals. Many of them were bitter and blamed Haig for the loss of friends. Accounts given by former soldiers. The Government has a 30 year rule on evidence but does not need to release everything. Official records that were available. Lloyd George was very critical of Haig. Account of Lloyd George, member of the government in 1916. Click on the statements that you believe to be true. Source A

12. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? 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. Generals of WWI Trench warfare What does the writer believe about British Generals? What evidence is used by the writer to support their view? Source B

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

14. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the generals? Read the information below and to try and help you understand something of trench warfare during the First World War. Trench Warfare 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.  Aerial view of the village of Passchendaele before and after the Third Battle of Ypres, 1917. Source: Wikimedia Commons

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

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

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