The First World War · 1914 – 1918
The Battle of the Somme
A case study of the bloodiest battle in British military history and its changing interpretations.
Key Questions
- 1Why was the first day of the Somme such a disaster for the British Army?
- 2Was Douglas Haig a "butcher" or a commander doing his best in new conditions?
- 3How has our memory of the Somme changed over the last century?
National Curriculum Attainment Targets
KS3: History - Challenges for Britain, Europe and the Wider World: 1901-PresentKS3: History - The First World War
Year: Year 9
Subject: History
Unit: The First World War
Period: 1914 – 1918
Suggested Methodologies
Ready to teach this topic?
Generate a complete, classroom-ready active learning mission in seconds.
More in The First World War
Causes of the First World War
Alliances, imperialism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
3 methodologies
Life in the Trenches
The brutal reality of trench warfare on the Western Front and its impact on soldiers.
3 methodologies
The Home Front and Women's Suffrage
How total war transformed British society and accelerated the fight for the vote.
3 methodologies
Global War: Beyond the Western Front
Exploring the conflict in Gallipoli, the Middle East, and the contribution of Empire troops.
3 methodologies