1. Adelaide Hong, Vibhav Peri, Evan Zhu, Nilay Bhoot
Battle of the Somme
Adelaide Hong, Vibhav Peri, Evan Zhu, Nilay Bhoot

2. Thesis
The bloody failures of WW1 were exemplified by the Battle of the Somme through the use of faulty tactics that led to massive loss of life, demonstrating that technological advancement (tanks/bombardment/trench warfare) did not mitigate the repercussions of war, but rather added to them.

3. History Lasted from 1 July 1916 to 18 November 1916
Largest battle of WW1 on western front
Original intent was a war of attrition designed to drain German resources
This intent changed slightly when the Germans launched the Verdun Offensive against France.
The French demanded to start the battle earlier than intended in order to divert German resources to Somme.
The attack was also supposed to be predominantly French, but most French forces were redirected to Verdun.
Largest battle in history to date
Planned for awhile earlier
Verdun, considered an important french stronghold, attacked earlier. Left british to bear the brunt of the somme

4. Main event
General Haig was stubborn and optimistic about offensive tactics.
Called for a bombardment on the German barbed wire, trenches and artillery to effectively eradicate their defenses.
The barrage failed miserably. Many shells were defective, failed to cut wires, and the Allies were unable to break the German’s defensive position
The Germans slaughtered the Allies as they went over the trenches.
7day bombardment
French were unable to break through the south
Underestimated the germans and also the leadership sucked
British movements were obvious, allowed germans to regroup after bombardment

5. Statistics
Largest historical military encounter to date (1.5 million men lost)
6 miles in 4 months
British: 19,420 dead, 40,000 wounded on the first day
Allied: 600,000+ casualties
Germans: 440,000+ casualties
49 tanks deployed, 36 manage to advance
Managed to kill off most of the new volunteer army as well as german junior officers

6. Impact/Results First use of tanks Not mass produced
Lost the element of surprise
Minimal success, often got stuck
Many people died for practically nothing.
About 100 men died for 1 meter of land
A maximum of eight miles were gained
Serre remained under German control
Much more impactful on British history than French
Became a “byword” for waste of life and terrible leadership
General haig kind of really sucked at leading a war
Tanks really didn’t work in the mud
The land gained had no strategic importance
While serre was an objective, it was failed
French’s main focus is verdun
A very international battle

7. Works Cited
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “First Battle of the Somme.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 24 June 2018,
Editors, History.com. “Battle of the Somme.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 12 Nov. 2009,
“Firstworldwar.com.” First World War.com - Weapons of War: Machine Guns,
"Haig, Douglas, 1st Earl ( )." The New Penguin Dictionary of Modern History , History Study Center, us&rft_dat=xri:ho:sup_ref:pmh00401.
Onion, Amanda. “Why Was the Battle of the Somme So Deadly?” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 1 May 2018,
Terraine, John. "The Texture of the Somme 1916." History Today, vol. 26, no. 9, 1976, pp History Study Center, us&rft_dat=xri:ho:sup_image:12063:pci.
"The Battle of the Somme." Chadwyck-Healey Animated Maps, History Study Center, us&rft_dat=xri:ho:sup_ref:camcar10013.
“The Somme Battlefield.” History Today, July 2006.
"Somme, Battle of the (24 June-18 November 1916)." The New Penguin Dictionary of Modern History , History Study Center,