HIS 223 MOD 6-2 ANALYSIS PAPER
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Feb 20, 2024
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6-2 Analysis Paper 2
Sara Myers
HIS 223 Modern War & Society
06/11/2023
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The Battle of the Somme is regarded as one of the bloodiest and most significant battles of World War One. It happened in the Somme region and involved French and British forces. They aimed to weaken the German troops in Verdun while relieving the French army. The fight lasted for several months and resulted in the deaths of over a milllion individuals. Large-scale military actions, such as the Somme, have been the subject of debate among historians. Some argue these were unnecessary, while others believe the Somme was decisive. Two different acccounts of this conflict were presented on the opposing sides of the argument. One of the accounts stated that the Somme was necessary, while the other called it wasteful.
General Douglas Haig was one of the most prominent individuals criticizing technological advancements during the First World War. He was a controversial figure in the British military. He criticized various technological advancements, such as the machine gun and the tank. In his final report, delivered during the war, he claimed that the Battle of the Somme was necessary to end the hostillities.
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According to him, the lesssons learned from the Battle of the Somme can only be implemented appropriately if they are viewed as a small part of the more extensive engagement of the First World War. He goes on to say that the various engagements that occurred in 1916 and 1917, which included the Somme, were the factors that prevented Germany from being able to win the war.
Many people criticized General Haig due to his erroneous tactics. One of the individualls who criticized his methods was David Lloyd George, who became the United Kingdom's Prime Minister following World War I's outbreak. Before becoming the Prime Minister, Lloyd George served as the minister for munitions and the secrettary for war. In his memoirs, Lloyd George stated that the cost of the various military actions during the First World War, including the 1
“Who's Who - Sir Douglas Haig" First World War.com
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Somme, were reprehensible.
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He noted that the battle was almost acknowledged as a failure because it only slowed down the German forces. He noted that if the US had not brought troops into the war, the Battle of the Somme would not have been able to save Haig.
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He also stated that
if the British had not participated in the Somme, itt would have prevented Russia from withdrawing from the war and leading to the February Revolution.
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Two different accounts of the Battle of the Somme were presented on opposing sides of the argument. One of these is written by General George, who led the batttle, and the other by the Prime Minister, his opposite number. These are both credible pieces of evidence that can be used to support people’s different views aboutt the war. It is difficult to determine which of the two generalls was correct regarding the Battle of the Somme. Although I can’t entirely agree with Lloyd George's assessment that the battle could have prevented Russia from pulling out of the war, I believe that the Somme could have been a significant victory. However, it was marred by poor tactics and the mistakes of General Douglas Haig. Although General Haig should be held responsible for his actions, his superiors should be held accountable as they allowed him to have the position of power and cause needlesss casualties.
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"Who's Who - David Lloyd George" First World War.com
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"Lloyd George on the Battle of the Somme." The World War I Document Archive.
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"Lloyd George on the Battle of the Somme." The World War I Document Archive.
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