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8/3/2019 Views of Haig
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Lions Led by Donkeys
By Mr RJ Huggins2006
V
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Lesson Objectives
Examine the process by whichhistorians gather their evidence orfacts in order to make a judgement.
To assess John Laffins interpretationof General Haig in Source F, bycomparing it to Sources G & H.
Make a judgement on whether
Sources G & H prove Source F (Laffin)wrong.
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How do historians gather their evidencein order to make a judgement?
There are two ways ofwriting history. One is to
read and research,
gathering facts andeventually coming to aweighed conclusion basedon the burden of evidence.The other is to approach
the subject with an idea inmind, and then to look for
facts which prove the case.
Which one do you think is the best
method?
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e att e o t e omme,1916
In July 1916, the French
army was close tocollapse.
After the high casualty rateat the Battle of Verdunmany troops were refusingto fight.
If the Germans attackedagain then the FrenchArmy would be defeated
and the allies would losethe war.
General Haig was orderedto divert the Germansaway from Verdun bylaunching an attack on the
Why did Haig launch an attack on the Somme in
1916??
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Interpretation: Popular Image
Historians who criticize Haigs tactics
argue that he didnt care about sacrificingthe lives of his men. They argue that his tactics were poor and
that the Battle of the Somme was a wasteof lives.
The popular image is that the British army
only captured a few feet of soil and thatHaig continued his tactics even when itwas clear that they were not going to besuccessful.
However, these historians often do nottake into account the bigger picture or inthis case the Battle of Verdun, 1916.
By the end of the Battle of the Somme, theBritish Army had captured 70 square milesand the French had had just enough timeto reorganise their army.
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The Task / Question
Study Sources F, G & H. Do Sources G & H prove F wrongYou are going to look atthree historians views ofGeneral Haigs tactics atthe Battle of the Somme.
You are then going to lookat the origin, nature and
purpose of these sourcesto make a judgement on
Source F.
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Source F:
Haig was as stubborn as a
donkey and as unthinking as adonkey. The principle which
guided him was if he could killmore Germans than the
Germans could kill his ownmen, then he would at somepoint win the win. That is anappalling kind of strategy. Its
not a strategy at all, its
slaughter. The Somme wascriminal negligence. He knew
that he had no chance of abreakthrough, but he still sent
his men to their deaths.
From a recent book
called: Butchers andBunglers of WorldWar.
What is the authors view of Haigs tactics?
What does the
titleof the booksuggest about
the authorsaims?
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Origin, Nature & Purpose of SourceF
John Laffin
An Australiantour guide
Does not have a
history degree Butchers &Bunglers is
an eyegrabbing title
The book aims to exposethe guilt of the uncaring
and stupid generals
The authorsparents bothserved with
theAustralians inGallipoli and
France
Laffinpresents oneside only. He
does notdiscuss thesituation at
Vedun.
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Source G:
If the Battle of the Somme had no
great importance in the strategicsense, its consequences were great,
particularly regards morale. It gave theWestern Powers confidence. Their
armies had accomplished an
achievement that gave good promisefor the future. The confidence of theGerman troops in victory was no
longer as great as before. A great partof the best, most experienced and
most reliable officers and men wereno longer in their places. This was themore marked as the heavy losses hadmade it necessary to send to the front
a great number of young soldierswhose training was poor.
Taken from The
Official GermanHistory of the FWW
What is the aim
of an officialhistory?
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,G
The Official GermanHistory of the FWW
Written &
published inthe 1930s.
Based uponinterviews with
generals, soldiers andpoliticians.
Not written forcommercialreasons or
profit
Points outboth the good
and the badpoints of theBattle of the
Somme
Written to inform theGerman people. Does ithave a reason to lie or
exaggerate?
Understandsthe biggerpicture and
refersindirectly to
Verdun.
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Source H
Germanys spirit of resistance was
broken by the courage and resolution ofHaigs armies, which had completeconfidence in the leadership of their
Commander. They were inspired by hisdetermination, for he never wavered from
his purpose of breaking down the powersof resistance of the enemy, both morally
and physically. Had Haig not had themoral courage to shoulder the mainburden of the struggle in the Somme
battles of 1916, French resistance wouldhave crumbled. Haig was one of themain architects of the Allied victory.
What points does this historian make about Haigstactics?
Written by aBritish
General in1973. Hefought in
both worldwars.
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,H
British General
Written by a
British Generalin 1973
He had fought inboth world wars.
He had
witnessedHaigs tacticsat first hand.
As a militarycommander
he understoodthe problemsfacing Haig in
1916.
Takes into account whatwas happening at Verdun& points out that Haigs
tactics eventually won the
Was notwriting to
makemoney, just
wanted toset therecordstraight
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British General
Source F SourceG
Source H
Haig is a donkey
who slaughteredhis men
The Somme didnt
achieve very muchtactically, but itdamaged Germanmorale and helpedto boost the allies
morale hints theFrench - and winthe war.
The Somme wasan evil necessity.If Haig hadntattacked then theFrench wouldhave crumbled.
Haigs tacticswon the war.
ButcherBrilliant General
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Making a Judgement
DisproveProve
Do Sources G & H prove Fwrong?
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Mark Scheme