Learning OutcomeLearning Outcome

To practice technique of answering To practice technique of answering interpretation source questionsinterpretation source questions

To plan how to answer the first To plan how to answer the first coursework question.coursework question.

How valid is this Interpretation of How valid is this Interpretation of the Battle of the Somme?the Battle of the Somme?

A considerable portion of the German soldiers are A considerable portion of the German soldiers are now practically beaten men, ready to surrender if now practically beaten men, ready to surrender if

they could, thoroughly tired of the war and they could, thoroughly tired of the war and expecting nothing but defeat. It is true that the expecting nothing but defeat. It is true that the amount of ground we have gained is not great. amount of ground we have gained is not great. That s nothing. We have proved our ability to That s nothing. We have proved our ability to

force the enemy out of strong defensive positions force the enemy out of strong defensive positions and to defeat him. The German casualties have and to defeat him. The German casualties have

been greater than ours. been greater than ours.

Part of a report written in December 1916, sent by Part of a report written in December 1916, sent by Haig to the British Cabinet about the aftermath of Haig to the British Cabinet about the aftermath of

the Battle of the Somme.the Battle of the Somme.

How to answer the question – Part How to answer the question – Part 11

Read the Read the contentcontent ofof the source carefully. the source carefully. What is it saying happened? What is it What is it saying happened? What is it trying to suggest?trying to suggest?

Write about what the source is Write about what the source is saying saying (surface facts)(surface facts) and whether this fits in and whether this fits in with what you know.with what you know.

Write about what the source is Write about what the source is implying implying and whether this fits in with what you and whether this fits in with what you know.know.

Try to show both sides of the argument. If Try to show both sides of the argument. If there is some evidence to support Haig’s there is some evidence to support Haig’s view use it! Then show the other point of view use it! Then show the other point of view and support it with evidence.view and support it with evidence.

Surface FactsSurface Facts

Take a quote directly from the source and discuss its validity.

Start by agreeing with the statement and supporting it with evidence e.g. ‘The German Army had been fought to a standstill and was utterly worn out.’ General Ludendorff, War Memoirs (Source 2 on p.13)

Then disagree with the statement and support it with evidence e.g. ‘Making no impact on the Germans at all’ Corporal WH Shaw, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Source 2(ii) p.5.)

Now work your way through the source finding evidence for and against each statement.

A considerable portion of A considerable portion of the German soldiers are now practically beaten the German soldiers are now practically beaten men, ready to surrendermen, ready to surrender if they could, thoroughly tired of the war and expecting if they could, thoroughly tired of the war and expecting nothing but defeat. It is true that the amount of ground we have gained is not great. nothing but defeat. It is true that the amount of ground we have gained is not great. That's nothing. We have proved our ability to force the enemy out of strong defensive That's nothing. We have proved our ability to force the enemy out of strong defensive positions and to defeat him. The German casualties have been greater than ours. positions and to defeat him. The German casualties have been greater than ours.

Part of a report written in December 1916, sent by Haig to the British Cabinet about the Part of a report written in December 1916, sent by Haig to the British Cabinet about the aftermath of the Battle of the Somme.aftermath of the Battle of the Somme.

ImplicationsImplications

What is the overall message of the source? What is Haig trying to suggest?

The obvious answer is that the Battle of the Somme was a success!

Now compare this suggestion with your knowledge. Write a paragraph saying whether this implication is a valid one.

DO NOT make the mistake of answering the question ‘Was the Somme a success?’.

Keep referring back to the actual question. Use the word’s valid, Haig’s interpretation, implication etc.

A considerable portion of the German soldiers are now practically beaten men, ready to A considerable portion of the German soldiers are now practically beaten men, ready to surrender if they could, thoroughly tired of the war and expecting nothing but defeat. It surrender if they could, thoroughly tired of the war and expecting nothing but defeat. It is true that the amount of ground we have gained is not great. That's nothing. We have is true that the amount of ground we have gained is not great. That's nothing. We have proved our ability to force the enemy out of strong defensive positions and to defeat him. proved our ability to force the enemy out of strong defensive positions and to defeat him. The German casualties have been greater than ours. The German casualties have been greater than ours.

Part of a report written in December 1916, sent by Haig to the British Cabinet about the Part of a report written in December 1916, sent by Haig to the British Cabinet about the aftermath of the Battle of the Somme.aftermath of the Battle of the Somme.

How to answer the question – Part How to answer the question – Part 22

Look at the Look at the provenanceprovenance ofof the the source carefully.source carefully.

Origin – Origin – Who wrote the source? Who wrote the source? Haig Haig (the General responsible for the (the General responsible for the Battle of the Somme)Battle of the Somme)

Context – Context – When was it written? What When was it written? What was happening at the time? was happening at the time? Dec 1916 Dec 1916 -- Haig was under scrutiny (Churchill Haig was under scrutiny (Churchill had sent a paper criticising him had sent a paper criticising him around Parliament in July)around Parliament in July)

MotiveMotive – – Does he have an agenda?Does he have an agenda?1.1. Perhaps a response to Churchill’s Perhaps a response to Churchill’s

attack (wrote to the Cabinet).attack (wrote to the Cabinet).2.2. Maybe trying to save his job? Use Maybe trying to save his job? Use

evidence to show his job was in the evidence to show his job was in the balance.balance.

3.3. Does the falling morale of the British Does the falling morale of the British affect his interpretation and thus it’s affect his interpretation and thus it’s validity?validity?

Do these Do these things things

make the make the source source

any more any more or less or less

reliable?reliable?