1. Imperial German Tricolor French Republic Flag The Battle of the Somme Presentation by: Alicia Seidel, Arghya Kannadaguli, Sabrina Loos, Jospeph Yang United Kingdom Union Jack VS. 1 July 1916 – 18 November 1916 (Roughly: 5 months, 17 days)

2. Thesis The Battle of the Somme exemplified the horrors caused by the inefficiency of trench warfare used in World War I, demonstrating how poor preparation and methods of relentless fighting created an environment of mass, indiscriminate slaughter with no military breakthroughs.

3. Location

4. Motives French taking severe losses at Verdun Relieve the French: Allied High Command attack the Germans to the north of Verdun to force them away.

5. Contributors

6. Douglas Haig British Commander-in-Chief Strong believer in old, conventional tactics Criticized for his constant use of infantry troops One mighty push against Germans -Led to death: of roughly 400 million British/Commonwealth troops

7. Ferdinand Foch Marshal of France and commander of Allied forces 141-day offensive Gen. Foch vs. British opposite Gen. Haig Post commitment: dismissal

8. Max von Gallwitz German general from Breslau (Wroc ł aw), Silesia -Served Eastern & Western Fronts VerdunVerdun (March-July 1916)  Moved to the Somme Somme

9. The Battle Due to the conflict at Verdun, the Allied High Command decided to attack Germans to the North to drive them away. Mostly Britain and France v. Germany Started with weeklong artillery attack on German troops, followed by advancing soldiers that were mowed down. Long stalemate: trench warfare, avoided shots by digging deeper Lasted about 5 months (July-November 1916) Ended when British Commander-in-Chief, Sir Douglas Haig, halted the offensive. End result: Allies pushed the Germans back 6-30 miles (depending on who you ask).

10. Consequences Britain: 420,000 dead France: 200,000 dead Germany: 500,000 dead 88,000 Allied soldiers killed for every mile gained. Germany was pushed away from Verdun.

11. Sources http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/somme.htm http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the- somme-ends http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWsomme.htm http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/somme-1916/index.htm http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_gallwitz_max. html http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/battle_so mme.shtml