This great little card sort is a must have for anyone studying why William won the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The resource in a word format so it can be fully adapted to suit your learners, but I have made sure that it's accessible for core, foundation and gifted and talented students. This card sort can be used as a starter, mini plenary or plenary. It can also be used as a planning exercise before students attempt writing an extended essay for assessment purposes on the topic. So in brief, I have provided a two page worksheet with the following heading of leadership / tactics. organisation, luck and Harold's mistakes as well 16 cards that students can sort under these headings. The aims objectives are: Theme: Why did William win the Battle of Hastings in 1066? Know: What factors helped William to win? Understand: How important was William's leadership, tactics, luck and organisation in helping to win? Evaluate: How far did William win or Harold lose? WILF - What an I Looking For? Identify / describe: Why William won the Battle of Hastings? Explain: Several reasons why William won the Battle of Hastings? Analyse: Explain which factor was the most important reason why William won? I have been observed several times with this lesson and have been graded outstanding each time. This is a high quality resource, which works. The students love the activity which never fails to help them develop a sophisticated understanding of why he won! However, don't take my word for it, download and try it! Kind Regards Roy Ps Check out some of my other Norman Conquest resources!

This great little resource / puzzle is designed to help develop students’ knowledge of the events in 1066 from the Norman perspective by getting them to match the captions with the scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry. This outstanding story boarding activity will also give students the opportunity to discuss, self and peer assess their understanding of one of the worlds most famous primary sources. Objective: To sort the story of what happened in 1066 into its correct chronological order using the pictures from the Bayeux Tapestry. Instruction: Cut out the pictures and captions. Match the pictures to the captions. Then place them in order to tell the story of the key events of the Tapestry. There are 13 captions and 13 images I have provided two documents for this activity - but you only really need the first one as I wanted to be able to show case the high quality images that I have carefully selected, so that they would photocopy for classroom use in either greyscale or colour. I would recommend getting students to stick their work on to A3 paper, but they could just as easily span a double page spread in an A4 exercise book. This activity is suitable for abilities of students, but I have deliberately included some challenge in this activity so that students will have to work collaboratively and look closely at the source. If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This engaging lesson has been designed to help students understand the aims of the peacemakers at Versailles in 1919. There are a series of tasks and activities built into the lesson, but the final outcome is to test students understanding by getting them to compare and contrast the aims of the peacemakers by completing a card sort exercise. These resources are suitable for the full range of ability and designed to work along side any mainstream textbook or video on the Treaty of Versailles. However, I have included a detailed PP to accompany the main resource. If you are interested in delving deeper into this topic, then this lesson can be purchased as bundled discount along with lessons on the Treaty of Versailles and downloaded from my online shop. When you purchase these resources you will be able to download a two page card sort and an accompanying PowerPoint. The card sort includes aims, objectives, instructions, headings and information cards to sort, The eighteen slide PowerPoint includes a ‘snowballing’ and a ‘buzz and go starter’ as well information slides, historical sources, pictures, diagrams, tasks and activities to support the lesson. The PowerPoint also includes aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, templates and a plenary. The aims and objectives for these resources are as follows: Theme: The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 Know: What were the aims of the peacemakers at Versailles in 1919? Understand: What impact did the First World War have on each of the Allies? Evaluate: How far did the FWW influence the aims of each country? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Identify & describe: The aims of each peacemaker at Versailles. Explain: What impact did the First World War have on each of the allies? Analyse: How far were the aims of the peacemakers influenced by the war? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on international relations 1919 - 1990 in my TES shop, where many have been bundled together to provide you with further savings. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great little card sort gets students to look at the key factors to explain why the Nazis were able to keep control of Germany from 1933 - 1945. It can be used with a range of abilities and has never failed to get my students excited, engaged, whilst improving their understanding of the topic. The resource includes three key factors - terror, propaganda and popularity, as well as 25 information cards which students sort to help them decide how the Nazis were able to keep control of Germany. As with all my resources, the document is in word so you can customise it to suit your own students by editing, adding or deleting cards / statements. Theme: How did the Nazis keep control of Germany from 1933 - 1945? Know: What were the key factors that helped the Nazis keep control? Understand: What role did the terror state, propaganda and Hitler’s popularity play in the ability of the Nazis to keep control? Evaluate: Which factor was the most important? WILF - What am I Looking For? Identify - Which factors helped the Nazis to keep control? Describe - How the Nazis kept control of Germany? Explain - The roles played by terror, Hitler’s popularity and propaganda in helping the Nazis keep control? Analyse - what was the most important factor? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great little card sort gets students to look at the key factors to explain why the Nazis were able to keep control of Germany from 1933 - 1945. It can be used with a range of abilities and has never failed to get my students excited, engaged, whilst improving their understanding of the topic. The resource includes three key factors - terror, propaganda and popularity, as well as 25 information cards which students sort to help them decide how the Nazis were able to keep control of Germany. As with all my resources, the document is in word so you can customise it to suit your own students by editing, adding or deleting cards / statements. Theme: How did the Nazis keep control of Germany from 1933 - 1945? Know: What were the key factors that helped the Nazis keep control? Understand: What role did the terror state, propaganda and Hitler's popularity play in the ability of the Nazis to keep control? Evaluate: Which factor was the most important? WILF - What am I Looking For? Identify - Which factors helped the Nazis to keep control? Describe - How the Nazis kept control of Germany? Explain - The roles played by terror, Hitler's popularity and propaganda in helping the Nazis keep control? Analyse - what was the most important factor? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow 'The History Academy' on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This outstanding card sort is designed to help students studying the impact of the Gold Rush on the American West by looking at the positive and negative consequences affecting both Native Americans and the early settlers. It can be used as a revision activity, preparation for an essay on this topic or as a starter or plenary. It can be used alongside any of the main stream text books on the American West or even my PowerPoint on this topic which can be downloaded via The History Academy TES shop. The aims and objectives are: Theme: The American West Know: What impact did the gold rush have on the West? Understand: What impact did the gold rush have on both Native Americans and settlers. Evaluate: What were the most significant negative and positive consequences? Skills: Cause, Consequence, Significance and Interpretation WILF: What Am I Looking For: Identify & describe the impact of the gold rush on the USA & the West. Explain the positive and negative impact on both the Native Americans and settlers. Analyse and come to a judgement on who benefitted from the gold rush? Task 1: Sort the consequences under the two headings Task 2: Number the positive and negative changes to show the level of their importance for each column. Task 3: Create a colour code using a pen or a highlighter to show which consequences were negative for Native Americans If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow 'The History Academy' on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great little card sort is designed as a quick kinaesthetic, collaborative exercise, which can be used as a started, plenary or mini plenary on this topic. The resource includes ten key push and pull factors that led to westward expansion in the USA. Students are asked to sort the factors under the correct headings. Depending upon the time that you have you could cut these cards out and keep them in envelopes for your students to sort or just give out this single sheet and give your students 10 minutes to cut them, sort them, peer assess their results and then stick them in their books. Either way it will get you top marks for engagement as your students will find the activity engaging. The follow up tasks asks them to discuss in their groups, which was the most important push and pull factor. This activity could be used as an introduction or a revision activity before an assessment on this topic! Objective: Card Sort: What were the push and pull factors of Westward Expansion? Instruction: Cut out the cards below and sort them out under the push and pull factors before feeding back. If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards

This great little card sort is a matching exercise that can be used as a starter, plenary or even a mini plenary with a range of abilities and age groups. Students cut out the cards and match the problem facing homesteaders on the Great Plains with the correct description. Its simple, fun and provides for some kinaesthetic learning. At the end of the activity you can ask your students to rank the problems 1 to 10 and then explain which one was the most important. Theme: The American West Know: What problems faced homesteaders on the Great Plains? Understand: How did the environment and climate make farming challenging in the Great Plains? Evaluate: Which problem was the most significant? WILF Identify and describe: The problems facing the Homesteaders? Describe: What the problems that the Homesteaders faced by matching the key words with the correct description? Analyse: Evaluate and come to a judgement on which problem was the most significant? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great little resource is designed to get students to understand both how and why the US Government changed its policies towards Native Americans 1830 - 1851, through a card sort activity. In the first stage, students match the actions of the US Government with their impact or consequences. In the second stage, students then reorganise them into their chronological order, if they haven’t already done so. In the final stage, after they have stuck them into their book, students can then debate, which key event was the turning point in the attitude of the government towards the Native Americans living on the Great Plains. This activity would make a great starter, as they students could attempt to predict what happened, but it also makes a great plenary that would work with any text book or worksheet on the topic. If you like this resource, please check out some of my other card sorts on the American West. Have fun and don’t forget to print out the right sheet, as I’ve provide you with a completed version to project onto your IWB with the answers. If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This outstanding card sort is designed to help students studying the impact of the Gold Rush on the American West by looking at the positive and negative consequences affecting both Native Americans and the early settlers. It can be used as a revision activity, preparation for an essay on this topic or as a starter or plenary. It can be used alongside any of the main stream text books on the American West or even my PowerPoint on this topic which can be downloaded via The History Academy TES shop. The aims and objectives are: Theme: The American West Know: What impact did the gold rush have on the West? Understand: What impact did the gold rush have on both Native Americans and settlers. Evaluate: What were the most significant negative and positive consequences? Skills: Cause, Consequence, Significance and Interpretation WILF: What Am I Looking For: Identify & describe the impact of the gold rush on the USA & the West. Explain the positive and negative impact on both the Native Americans and settlers. Analyse and come to a judgement on who benefitted from the gold rush? Task 1: Sort the consequences under the two headings Task 2: Number the positive and negative changes to show the level of their importance for each column. Task 3: Create a color code using a pen or a highlighter to show which consequences were negative for Native Americans If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great resources has never failed in 24 years to capture the imagination of my students and engage them in some outstanding learning. All my colleagues have routinely used as it is a popular resource, especially when used along side a few video clips about Henry. For example, the opening scene from the film 'a Man for all Seasons', when Henry VIII arrives at the home of Sir Thomas Moore and jumps into the mud! The resource contains five primary sources and one secondary. The task and activities are designed to get students to explore these sources and try and describe what sort of man Henry VIII was and how his personality changed over time. It is always worthwhile pointing out that after Henry VIII's jousting accident, his leg was pretty painful with the ulcers he developed and this would have had a significant impact on his personality. The activities also try to get students to understand that what commentators said both at the time and after his death, may have had an impact on how favourably they described him. I have also added a PowerPoint to work alongside this resource with all the relevant video clips linked into the slides. I have also included additional activities to suit the full range of learners. Anyway, have fun with this resource, I have also uploaded a writing frame which can be used alongside the homework activity to help students structure their letter to the King of France. Theme: Why did Henry VIII break with Rome? Know: What sort of man was Henry VIII? Understand: How did Henry VIII's personality change over time? Evaluate: How reliable are the sources describing Henry VIII? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify & describe: What can we learn from the sources about Henry VIII? Explain: How have the descriptions of his personality changed over time? Analyse: Begin to form a judgement on why some sources are more reliable than others. If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop, where many have been bundled together to provide you with further savings. You can also follow 'The History Academy' on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy PS If you like this resource, why not check out my Dingbat Card game on Henry VIII?

These outstanding resources have been tried tested over twenty six years and have never failed to inspire and engage the fully ability range. Since we first uploaded this lesson in 2000, it has been the most popular downloads of all time and has been copied and adapted by schools all over the world. With the help of the team at the History Academy, we have updated and improved the lesson as you can see from the preview panel. When you purchase this resource you will be able to download a PowerPoint Presentation which includes starters, plenaries, information slides links to video clips, and seven activities to complete with your students. This resource can be fully customised and at several points you can chose alternative activities that may be relevant to the ability of your students. You will also be able to download a card sort and tailor made video for this lesson. Please see the preview panel. The card sort - Henry VIII''s problems includes four headings under which the students can sort the rest of the cards. These are power, religion, money and personal. The rest of the resource then includes 14 cards which can be matched to them. Once the cards have been sorted, the students should then be able to move onto the review triangle activity. This is best done in pairs or groups, with one person from each group feeding back their results onto the IWB and explaining their choice. In a nut shell, students complete the snowballing starter, watch the video, make some notes and then have the choice of completing the card sort, colour coding a printed off version of Henry VIII's problems or creating their own summary. They can then have a go at deciding which problems were the most significant before having a go at doing a prediction exercise where they write a speech outlining how they would solve Henry VIII's problems. This is followed with some information slides and an extended writing exercise with support slides where the students explain why Henry VIII broke with Rome. Finally, there this is consolidated with a heads and tails activity were they match how Henry VIII solved each problem identified earlier. The aims and objectives are: Theme: Why did Henry VIII break from Rome? Know: What problems faced Henry VIII in 1525? Understand: Which problems were connected to money, religion, power and a legitimate heir? Evaluate: Why did Henry VIII decide to break with Rome? Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? Identify & describe: The problems facing Henry VIII in 1527? Explain: Which problems were linked to money, religion, power and Henry’s need for a legitimate heir? Analyse: Why Did Henry VIII break with Rome? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop.

This outstanding resource is designed to help students analysing the key reasons why it was difficult to maintain law and order in the American West. It is followed up by a thinking skills review triangle activity to help students decide which factor was the most important. Both activities can be used as a revision exercise, starter or plenary and will work along side any main stream text book or resource on the American West. The first resource entitled ‘Card Sort - Why was law and order a problem in the West?’, includes five headings under which the students can sort the rest of the cards. These are political, social, economic, geographical, values and attitudes. The rest of the resource then includes 11 cards which can be matched to the headings. Once the cards have been sorted, the students should then be able to move onto the review triangle activity. This is best done in pairs or groups, with one person from each group feeding back their results onto the IWB and explaining their choice. The results from the review triangle and the card sort can then be used, along with any of your other classroom resources, as a basis for students writing an essay or extended piece of writing on this topic. The aims and objectives for this lesson are: Theme: The American West Know: What were the key reasons why maintaining law & order was difficult? Understand: What roles did social, economic, geographical factors as well as the values and attitudes play of the people at the time, play in making law enforcement difficult? Evaluate: Which was the most important factor? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: what were the main reasons why maintaining law and order was difficult? Explain: What roles did social, economic, geographical, factors as well as the values and attitudes of people at the time, play in making law enforcement difficult? Analyze: Which was the most important factor? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more quality time with the people who matter. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy Kind Regards Roy

This great resource is designed to be used a starter or plenary to help students sort through the chronology of what happened during the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. It is designed to work alongside any main stream resource or video on this topic. I have designed a lesson around this resource using the PowerPoint to drive the main activities which would suit a primary school or lower ability group at secondary group. If you are looking for a more challenging resource, I have also uploaded work suitable for higher ability students. When you purchase this resource you will be able to download a twelve slide PowerPoint presentations with starters, plenaries, historical sources, information slides and video clips to support the main activity. You will also be able to download a Microsoft word document with a copy of the key events. I normally keep a copy of the card sort in 15 envelopes and get me students to quickly order them into the order in which they think it happened before feeding back to a class discussion. This takes about 3 minutes. However, you can also give it out as a sheet and ask them to cut out the cards and stick them into your book. This can take up to 15 minutes. If you are being observed it might be an idea to get your students to sort the cards at the beginning to help you evaluate what they know and then do it again at the end to help you demonstrate progress. This is a tried and trusted resource which has never failed to ignite my learners interest in the topic. The aims and objectives of this lesson are: Theme: The consequences of the Break with Rome •Know: What happened during the Gunpowder Plot in 1605? •Understand: Why would the Catholics want to kill the king and parliament? •Evaluate: How far does the historical evidence support that Guy Fawkes was framed? •Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence & Collaboration WILF – What Am I Looking For? •Identify & describe: What happened during the Gunpowder Plot in 1605? •Explain: Why would the Catholics want to kill the king and parliament? •Analyse: How far does the historical evidence support that Guy Fawkes was innocent or guilty? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great little resource can be used as a starter or plenary for an outstanding lesson on the impact of the Great Fire of London in 1666. The resource includes two heading cards which state: 'Positive / Good Changes' and 'Negative / Bad Changes' and an additional twelve information cards on the impact of the Great Fire of London. Students are instructed to cut out the statements and sort them under the two headings. This task is suitable for a change of abilities and shouldn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes for a class to cut, organise and self / peer assess. I've included an extension task, which could also be set as a homework: Sometimes, positive or good changes can come out of terrible disasters. In 1665, the Great Plague killed 80,0000 people. Write a paragraph explaining whether or not the Great Fire of London in 1666, did more good than bad? The Aims and Objectives are: Theme: Making the United Kingdom Know: What changes happened as a result of the Great Fire of London in 1666? Understand: Which changes were positive / negative? Evaluate: How far was the Great Fire of London a disaster in the long term? WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe: What changes happened as a result of the fire? Explain: Which changes were good / bad? Analyse: How far did the Great Fire of London do more good than bad? Have fun with your students! Kind Regards Roy

This great little resource is suitable for a wide range of abilities and can easily be adapted to suit any text book or resource on this topic as it is supplied in word. Students can sort through the cards and organise the events into their correct chronological order. This could be used as a starter exercise to see if they can work out before hand what happened and then used as a mini plenary to check their answers once they have watched a video or read a text book or resource on the Glorious Revolution. This resource will appeal to both visual and kinesthetic learners. Aims and Objectives: Theme: Making of the United Kingdom Know: What were the events leading up to the Glorious Revolution? Understand: What actions did James II take to cause the Revolution? Analyse: How far was James II responsible for his own overthrow during the Glorious Revolution? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and Describe: What happened? Explain: What actions did James II take to turn people against him? Evaluate: How far was James II responsible for his own overthrow during the Glorious Revolution? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow 'The History Academy' on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This great little resource is suitable for a wide range of abilities and can easily be adapted to suit any text book or resource on this topic as it is supplied in word. Students can sort through the cards and organise the events into their correct chronological order. This could be used as a starter exercise to see if they can work out before hand what happened and then used as a mini plenary to check their answers once they have watched a video or read a text book or resource on the Glorious Revolution. Aims and Objectives: Theme: Making of the United Kingdom Know: What were the events leading up to the Glorious Revolution? Understand: What actions did James II take to cause the Revolution? Analyse: How far was James II responsible for his own overthrow during the Glorious Revolution? WILF - What Am I Looking For? Identify and Describe: What happened? Explain: What actions did James II take to turn people against him? Evaluate: How far was James II responsible for his own overthrow during the Glorious Revolution? If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more quality time with the people who matter. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy

This tried and tested card sort looks at the controversial topic of General Haig's leadership during the Battle of the Somme. Students are given two heading cards labelled 'Butcher of the Somme' and the 'Man who won the war.' However, depending upon how you decide to use them you could change them to 'evidence for and 'evidence against' as the document is in word. In addition to the headings cards, students are given 14 statements to sort through. These are based on the latest research on the topic. This activity is suitable for a wide range of learners and could be used as the basis of an assessment task or extended writing activity. Aims & Objectives Theme: Why was there a stalemate on the Western Front? Know: What tactics did General Haig use at the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Understand: Why did the Battle of the Somme end in a stalemate? Evaluate: Was General Haig the 'Butcher of the Somme? WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe- What happened during the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Explain - Why did Haig's tactics fail to achieve a breakthrough? Analyse - How far was Haig's responsible for the failure to break through in 1916? Professional Knowledge For those of you who are new to the profession, this topic is controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the leadership of the British Army during the war is traditionally described by some historians as 'lions led by donkeys.' Please note that this interpretation first grew out a dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and the concept that the First World War would be the 'War to end all wars' in the 1930's. Clearly by then, many of the sacrifices appeared to have been in vain with the rise of Hitler and the threat of war. However, in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, Haig was seen as a hero. He was also the man who set up the Royal British Legion and began the first poppy appeal. Secondly, this topic is controversial for many of our Australian cousins whose sense of national identity grew out of their frustration and anger over the disaster at Gallipoli. This has led to feeling that the British tactics were a complete failure in all theatres of war and has led to the writing of some pretty bad popular history by Australian tour guides like John Laffin in his book ‘British Butchers and Bunglers of WW1' to almost justify the Republican Movement in Australia. History as always is controversial. Historians create a hierarchy of facts to suit their own interpretations. This exercise gets students to have a go at creating their own! I have also created a PowerPoint to accompany this topic, which can be downloaded separately or as part of a discounted package. Kind Regards Roy

This PowerPoint is designed to span two lessons and includes 6 activities to help students assess the tactics that General Haig used at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The aims and objectives are: Theme: Why was there a stalemate on the Western Front? Know: What tactics did General Haig use at the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Understand: Why did the Battle of the Somme end in a stalemate? Evaluate: Was General Haig the 'Butcher of the Somme? Skills: Cause, Consequence, Source Analysis and Interpretation WILF: What Am I Looking For? Identify and describe - What happened during the Battle of the Somme in 1916? Explain - Why did Haig’s tactics fail to achieve a breakthrough? Analyse - How far was Haig’s responsible for the failure to break through in 1916? These activities include a snowballing starter, source analysis comparing John Laffin and the BBC’s Blackadder interpretation of General Haig, a contemporary cartoon analysis to assess public reaction in 1916, a summary diagram of why Haig tactics failed and a source analysis comparing the different perspectives of George Coppard and Haig of the progress made on the first day of the attack. I’ve also included a card sort activity which could be used as the basis for an assessment or extended writing on the topic. In all there are 40 slides which can be easily customised for your students. It could also be uploaded to a virtual learning environment and used as an independent learning resource for homework. Professional Knowledge For those of you who are new to the profession, this topic is controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, the leadership of the British Army during the war is traditionally described by some historians as ‘lions led by donkeys.’ Please note that this interpretation first grew out a dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and the concept that the First World War would be the ‘War to end all wars’ in the 1930’s. Clearly by then, many of the sacrifices appeared to have been in vain with the rise of Hitler and the threat of war. However, in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, Haig was seen as a hero. He was also the man who set up the Royal British Legion and began the first poppy appeal. Secondly, this topic is controversial for many of our Australian cousins whose sense of national identity grew out of their frustration and anger over the disaster at Gallipoli. This has led to feeling that the British tactics were a complete failure in all theatres of war and has led to the writing of some pretty bad popular history by Australian tour guides like John Laffin in his book ‘British Butchers and Bunglers of WW1’ to almost justify the Republican Movement in Australia. Anyway, have fun and I look forward to your feedback.