History Courses For Dr. Christopher C. Lovett

Updated as of 2 October 05

Today in History:

On October 2, 1780, Major John André, a British spy associated with Benedict Arnold, was executed on this day in history. 

Quote of the Day:

"In my view we are much worse off now than when we went into Iraq. This is not a partisan position. I voted for these guys."

A senior figure at a military-sponsored think tank as told to James Fallows in "Bush's Lost Year" in The Atlantic Monthly (Oct. 2004)

Was the 2004 Election Stolen?

Take the Ann Coulter Quiz

Where are you politically? Take the Neocon Quiz and find out.

"History is Far too Important to be left to History Professors"

Teaching isn't such a novel idea

Announcements

Age of Despotism

Age of Total War

Current  History

Dictators and Dems

DDE in War & Peace

Splendid Little Wars

Terrorism Online

World War II Online

Bibliography: History of Disease

Bioterrorism

Contemporary Terrorist Organizations

How to Write an Essay

Map of Islamic Terrorist Cells in the U.S.A.

PowerPoint Notes

Reaction Papers

TASK Information Updates

Terrorism Cybrary

Terrorism Filmography

Terrorism Glossary

Yahoo! Groups TASK Teachers

World War I

Handout 8

Topic: The Big Battles

OUTLINE:

VIII. The Big Battles: Verdun and The Somme.

A. Background.

B. Fortifications.

C. Operational Plans.

D. The German Attack.

E. The French Response.

F. The Somme.

G. Conclusions.

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the objective of the German attack on Verdun in 1916?  How did the Germans hope to obtain victory over France in 1916? Where did the go wrong? How did the French respond?
2. What was the purpose behind the British offensive at the Somme? How did the British marshal their forces during this operation?
3. Did any one warn the French government of the general weakness found at Verdun? What was the general response?
4. How did Falkenhayn analyze the war in early 1916? What did he recommend? What were the principal weaknesses of Britain at this period of the war according to the German High Command? What did he propose? How novel was this idea?
5. What saved France during the dark days of 1916? How did Petain manage to restore morale and the fighting spirit at the Verdun Sector

 TERMS:

 Douaumont

Petain

Emile Driant

Erich von Falkenhayn

Degummed

Joffre

Attrition

Phosgene

Fort Vaux