Learning Outcome

1
Learning Outcome

• To practice technique of answering interpretation
  source questions
• To plan how to answer the first coursework
  question.

2
How valid is this Interpretation of the Battle of
the Somme?

• 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 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. 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
  aftermath of the Battle of the Somme.

3
How to answer the question Part 1

• Read the content of the source carefully. What is
  it saying happened? What is it trying to suggest?
• Write about what the source is saying (surface
  facts) and whether this fits in with what you
  know.
• Write about what the source is implying and
  whether this fits in with what you know.
• Try to show both sides of the argument. If there
  is some evidence to support Haigs view use it!
  Then show the other point of view and support it
  with evidence.

4

• Surface Facts

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 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. 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 aftermath of the Battle
of the Somme.

• 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.

5

• Implications

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 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. 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 aftermath of the Battle
of the Somme.

• 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 words valid, Haigs interpretation,
  implication etc.

6
How to answer the question Part 2

• Look at the provenance of the source carefully.
• Origin Who wrote the source? Haig (the General
  responsible for the Battle of the Somme)
• Context When was it written? What was happening
  at the time? Dec 1916 - Haig was under scrutiny
  (Churchill had sent a paper criticising him
  around Parliament in July)
• Motive Does he have an agenda?
• Perhaps a response to Churchills attack (wrote
  to the Cabinet).
• Maybe trying to save his job? Use evidence to
  show his job was in the balance.
• Does the falling morale of the British affect his
  interpretation and thus its validity?

Do these things make the source any more or less
reliable?