Lions Led by Donkeys?

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Lions Led by Donkeys?
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• By Mr RJ Huggins
• 2006

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Lesson Objectives

• Examine the process by which historians gather
  their evidence or facts in order to make a
  judgement.
• To assess John Laffins interpretation of General
  Haig in Source F, by comparing 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 evidence in order
to make a judgement?
There are two ways of writing history. One is to
read and research, gathering facts and eventually
coming to a weighed conclusion based on the
burden of evidence. The other is to approach
the subject with an idea in mind, and then to
look for facts which prove the case.
Which one do you think is the best method?
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The Battle of the Somme, 1916

• In July 1916, the French army was close to
  collapse.
• After the high casualty rate at the Battle of
  Verdun many troops were refusing to fight.
• If the Germans attacked again then the French
  Army would be defeated and the allies would lose
  the war.
• General Haig was ordered to divert the Germans
  away from Verdun by launching an attack on the
  Somme.

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 sacrificing the lives
  of his men.
• They argue that his tactics were poor and that
  the Battle of the Somme was a waste of lives.
• The popular image is that the British army only
  captured a few feet of soil and that Haig
  continued his tactics even when it was clear that
  they were not going to be successful.
• However, these historians often do not take into
  account the bigger picture or in this case the
  Battle of Verdun, 1916.
• By the end of the Battle of the Somme, the
  British Army had captured 70 square miles and the
  French had had just enough time to reorganise
  their army.

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The Task / Question

• Study Sources F, G H.
• Do Sources G H prove F wrong

You are going to look at three historians views
of General Haigs tactics at the Battle of the
Somme. You are then going to look at the origin,
nature and purpose of these sources to make a
judgement on Source F.
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Source F
Haig was as stubborn as a donkey and as
unthinking as a donkey. The principle which
guided him was if he could kill more Germans than
the Germans could kill his own men, then he would
at some point win the win. That is an appalling
kind of strategy. Its not a strategy at all, its
slaughter. The Somme was criminal negligence. He
knew that he had no chance of a breakthrough, but
he still sent his men to their deaths.
From a recent book called Butchers and Bunglers
of World War.
What does the title of the book suggest about
the authors aims?
What is the authors view of Haigs tactics?
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Origin, Nature Purpose of Source F
John Laffin
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Source G
If the Battle of the Somme had no great
importance in the strategic sense, its
consequences were great, particularly regards
morale. It gave the Western Powers confidence.
Their armies had accomplished an achievement that
gave good promise for the future. The confidence
of the German troops in victory was no longer as
great as before. A great part of the best, most
experienced and most reliable officers and men
were no longer in their places. This was the
more marked as the heavy losses had made it
necessary to send to the front a great number of
young soldiers whose training was poor.
Taken from The Official German History of the FWW
What is the aim of an official history?
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Origin, Nature Purpose of Source G
The Official German History of the FWW
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Source H
Germanys spirit of resistance was broken by the
courage and resolution of Haigs armies, which
had complete confidence in the leadership of
their Commander. They were inspired by his
determination, for he never wavered from his
purpose of breaking down the powers of resistance
of the enemy, both morally and physically. Had
Haig not had the moral courage to shoulder the
main burden of the struggle in the Somme battles
of 1916, French resistance would have crumbled.
Haig was one of the main architects of the Allied
victory.
Written by a British General in 1973. He fought
in both world wars.
What points does this historian make about Haigs
tactics?
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Origin, Nature Purpose of Source H
British General
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Source F
Source G
Source H
British General
Haig is a donkey who slaughtered his men
The Somme didnt achieve very much tactically,
but it damaged German morale and helped to boost
the allies morale hints the French - and win
the war.
The Somme was an evil necessity. If Haig hadnt
attacked then the French would have crumbled.
Haigs tactics won the war.
Brilliant General
Butcher
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Making a Judgement
Do Sources G H prove F wrong?
Prove Disprove


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Mark Scheme