Starter

Why does this newspaper think there might be ‘blood on the hands’ of generals in WWI like Haig?

Blackadder

Was this Was this man really man really

the the ‘Butcher of ‘Butcher of

the the Somme’?Somme’?

The Battle of the Somme –The Battle of the Somme –fact filefact file

1 July – 18 November 19161 July – 18 November 1916 One of the most significant battles of One of the most significant battles of

the First World Warthe First World War Casualties, suffering and the human Casualties, suffering and the human

tragedy were …tragedy were …

Horrific!Horrific!

The Battle of the Somme –The Battle of the Somme –fact filefact file

60,000 British casualties on first day of 60,000 British casualties on first day of battle alonebattle alone

11 Cambridgeshire Battalion sent 750 11 Cambridgeshire Battalion sent 750 ‘over the top’ and 691 became casualties ‘over the top’ and 691 became casualties of warof war

Most casualties were men in their late Most casualties were men in their late teens or early to mid twentiesteens or early to mid twenties

By end of battle a strip of land 25 km long By end of battle a strip of land 25 km long and 6km wide taken at the cost of …and 6km wide taken at the cost of …

The Battle of the Somme –The Battle of the Somme –fact filefact file

420,000 420,000 British British

casualtiescasualties

The Battle of the Somme –The Battle of the Somme –fact filefact file

200,000 200,000 French French

casualtiescasualties

The Battle of the Somme –The Battle of the Somme –fact filefact file

500,000 500,000 German German

casualtiescasualties

Was Haig really the Was Haig really the ‘butcher of the Somme’?‘butcher of the Somme’?

Why did so many men die?Why did so many men die? Could the enormous loss of life have Could the enormous loss of life have

been avoided?been avoided? Does General Haig deserve the title of …Does General Haig deserve the title of …

‘‘The Butcher of the The Butcher of the Somme’?Somme’?

Your taskYour task Read the biography of Haig and Read the biography of Haig and

highlight in blue all the events in his highlight in blue all the events in his life which suggest he had all the life which suggest he had all the qualities necessary to be a good qualities necessary to be a good leader or organiser.leader or organiser.

Your taskYour task 2. Study source 1. What impression does this 2. Study source 1. What impression does this

give of Haig’s character? List some adjectives give of Haig’s character? List some adjectives to describe him below.to describe him below.

3. Study source 3. Does this source provide a 3. Study source 3. Does this source provide a different view of Haig’s character or confirm different view of Haig’s character or confirm your original suspicions? Explain your answer.your original suspicions? Explain your answer.

4. Study sources 2,3,4,5 & 6. Write down 5 4. Study sources 2,3,4,5 & 6. Write down 5 facts from the sources about the Battle of the facts from the sources about the Battle of the Somme. Is there any evidence to suggest the Somme. Is there any evidence to suggest the Somme was successful?Somme was successful?

Your taskYour task Recently there has been a campaign to have the Recently there has been a campaign to have the

statue of Field Marshall Haig in London removed statue of Field Marshall Haig in London removed and replaced by a statue of an ordinary soldier. and replaced by a statue of an ordinary soldier. Write a letter to the Mayor of London explaining Write a letter to the Mayor of London explaining what you think should be done. Include the what you think should be done. Include the following points:following points:

A brief description of who Haig wasA brief description of who Haig was Explain the key events of the most famous / Explain the key events of the most famous /

infamous battle associated with him – the Sommeinfamous battle associated with him – the Somme Use quotes from historians or contemporaries Use quotes from historians or contemporaries

where appropriatewhere appropriate Explain what should be done with the monument to Explain what should be done with the monument to

Haig and whyHaig and why

Statue of Haig by AF Hardman unveiled in Whitehall in 1937