American Antebellum Slavery And The Civil War - 1949 Words

The dictionary definition of an apologist is, â€Å"one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something.† It also defines elide as to, â€Å"to leave out of consideration.† Two key terms to understand when talking about American antebellum slavery. One might put their soul at ease by the enduring thought that southern slaves were treated amicably; however, this is not the truth. Slave holders and their apologist alike wanted their fellow citizens to feel as though their slaves were conditioned to superior treatment and conditions. Eliding that free black life and slavery were synonymous...This could not be portrayed more inaccurately. Ira Berlin introduces Solomon Northup s memoir, 12 Years A Slave, depicting slaves as, â€Å"cogs in a great†¦show more content†¦Moss might be used were it not that it directly breeds a swarm of flies.† Superior conditions, indeed. The slaves work in the field ceased at sunset, but this only began their second shi ft. All slaves had some form of chore they were responsible for, whether feeding the animals or cutting wood; conversely, when they get to retreat to their lavish cabins, the plantation hands proceeded to kindle their fire, ground corn mean in a small hand-mill and prep their food for their next day of leisurely field work. There was no rest for the weary. The women were forced into sexual submissions by their masters. The riches do not end there; there is more, Berlin describes the demeanor of the slaves in their submissions, â€Å"slaves learned to lower their eyes, take off their hats, and bare their heads in front of a white man – the â€Å"down-cast eyes and uncovered head – in the attitude and language of a slave.† Southern slaveholders in the 19th century were completely delusional...The claim, that their slaves were treated superior, was merely to ease their own subconscious; moreover, they presumed that this mentality would give them a chance to hide b ehind false pretenses, then maybe, the rest of the world would not get a glimpse into their sick and demented ways. However, slaveholders trying to persuade society of this mindset, are nothing more than awful jesters that are notShow MoreRelatedPeter Kolchin : American Slavery review1708 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom John Hopkins University. He now specializes in nineteenth-century U.S. history, the South, slavery and emancipation, and comparative history. In his career he has written many books on slavery including Unfree Labor: American Slavery and Russian Serfdom and First Freedom: The Responses of Alabama s Blacks to Emancipation and Reconstruction (Peter Kolchin...). In 1993, his third book American Slavery was published and 10 years later a revised copy was released which featured a new preface andRead MoreThe Great Awakening Of The Antebellum Period1524 Words   |  7 PagesThe Antebellum Period was the time after the War of 1812 and just before the Civil War (Lapsansky-Werner ). With the growing cotton plantation in the south, more slaves were needed and more slaves needed to escape (Antebellum Period.). While the Antebellum Period brought the Second Great Awakening and Westward Expansion, it is also known for the uprising of abolition and anti versus pro slavery arguments (Antebellum Period.). The antebellum period was overall a pivotal point in slavery and slaveRead MoreThe Rise of the Anti-Slavery Movement in the US Essay867 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the history of America, the struggle between white and black Americans is by the far the most complex and long standing issue. Beginning with first contact between white Europeans and Africans during the English colonial period, Africans were immediately labeled with terms including savage and heathen. During the Antebellum period, institution of chattel slavery in America certain ideas of what the black man’s role in society became widely known and accepted. Stereotype such as the SamboRead MoreAmerican Civil War and Religion Essay1155 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the important subjects during the civil war was Religion even though it received minor attention until recent years. Historians have considered civil war an important story of war; however, religion rose as an important factor with many publications. For example â€Å"Religion and the American Civil War† is a collection of essays and poems by various writers (Harry S. Stout, George Reagan Wilson, etc.1) A survey of the civil war history from around 1970 to the present provides a very extensiveRead MoreEssay about The American Civil War688 Words   |  3 PagesThe American Civil war was a series of transactions, or exchanges, between the North and the South. These transactions involved over 1 million Americans who put their lives at risk for the liberation of the country’s slaves. These transactions were influenced by three paramount concepts: perspectives, values, and relative evaluations of costs and benefits. In the midst of this tumultuous period of time in American history, these concepts shaped not just the people themselves but the social, politicalRead MoreAmerican History: The Development of the Ironwork Industry in Alabama1088 Words   |  5 Pages The perspective of many historians and textbooks usually consist of the same general understanding of specific issues in American history. For example, key events or battles such as _____, or common trends that aid in t he understanding of how society operated at that point in history. However, many American history textbooks avoid the topic of widespread manufacturing industries in the south, and their simultaneous development with the much more powerful agricultural industry. Set in the Deep SouthRead MoreThis Document Discusses The Narrative Of One Of The Most1136 Words   |  5 Pages This document discusses the narrative of one of the most recognizable civil rights advocates, and the most famous African American abolitionist during the antebellum period of America s history, Fredrick Douglass. The excerpt is taken from one of the versions of Douglass’s autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, published in 1845-era Boston, Massachusetts. The original version of this excerpt could be found in his autobiography from pages 39 – 43. This excerptRead MoreThe North And South Regions Of The United States1391 Words   |  6 Pageshome to a state con gress and governor. However, during the antebellum period of the United States everything wasn’t as blissful as it is today. The antebellum period is the period after the War of 1812 and before the Civil War in 1861. Some people may say that the Antebellum period was a period of great awakening with a lot of prosperity because of manufacturing, while others may say it was a dark time in the nation s history due to slavery. During this time, the country was divided and was newlyRead MoreTraditional Views Of The Antebellum South986 Words   |  4 PagesTraditional views of the Antebellum South oftentimes ignore class divides within the American South. African-Americans and Whites are oftentimes viewed as being divided by race with all Whites and African-Americans being equal. However these ideals ignore the seventy-five percent of southerners which did not own slaves and the steep divides between African-American slaves with different roles. Primary sources from authors who experienced the Antebellum South, the American Civil War, and, or ReconstructionRead MoreThe Effects Of Slavery In Soul By Soul By Walter Johnson1250 Words   |  5 PagesWhen referring to the history Antebellum America, the two things that shape our country are the expansion of slavery and the expansion of the Market Revolution. In the novel Soul by Soul, by Walter Johnson, the author exploits the effects of slavery on the people involved with slave trade in the south. It also shows the reader just how vital slavery is to the Market Revolution, and how the consumers culture, in turn, shaped personal identities. Both slavery and the Market Revolution shaped presidential

Organization Structures Used By International Firms

9) What are the pros and cons associated with various organization structures used by international firms (4.2)? Let us now have a look at the various organization structures used by Multinational organizations. a) International division structure The international division structure looks after all the international businesses of the company. All the international businesses directly report to the international division structure. The major disadvantage of this structure is that the international business structure has to depend on the domestic divisions. The profits generated cannot be streamlined entirely towards international business improvement. b) Functional division structure The disadvantage of functional division structure is that this structure suits the companies with limited product range and with limited customers. Large companies with many units cannot afford to have this structure because the coordination between units and divisions will become unstable as the units start developing. The advantages are that it is popular for small businesses. This structure does not require lot of overhead expenses like accounting fee, rent, and wages. c) Product division structure The advantage of product division structure is that the managers and employees of the firm can have full knowledge about the products their division manufactures. The production rate also increases as the managers have access to local raw materials which are cheap. The marketing also becomesShow MoreRelatedThe Impact Of Management On The Globalization Of Business911 Words   |  4 Pagesemployee involvement. Organizational structures must also be flexible enough to change with changing market conditions. 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In his words, ‘this was management’s attempt to draw a map of whom they want to do what’ (Lorsch, 1977, p. 3) .So a mature and scientific organizational structure is an essential factor that a successful organization requires. I got an internship in a law officeRead MoreThe Social Responsibility Of Apple Inc.1687 Words   |  7 Pagesthat an organization or an individuals, feels obliged to act so that the benefit is felt across the organization. It is that duty that every individual has of performing so as to ensure proper maintenance of balancing amid the economy and the organizational ecosystems. Apple Inc. has a well outlined social responsibility that works to ensure its smooth operations and that it gives back to the community in equal measures like the later benefits it. 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Questions on Law Remedies and Costs

Question: Describe about the Questions on Law for Remedies and Costs. Answer: A contract is a promise or set of promises between two parties whereby one party promises to do something in exchange of receiving consideration from the other party. Such consideration has to have an economic value (Treitel and Peel, 2015). This creates a legally binding contract between the two parties. Such contract is enforceable by law. A contract can be in two forms, a written and an oral (Department of State Development, 2016). A written contract is such an agreement where all the terms are written and signed by the parties. An oral contract however, does not have any such writings. It is a mere exchange of binding words which are enforceable by law. An agreement, whether written or oral, has to be followed as per the terms. A contract has certain elements and these include capacity, intention, certainty, consideration, offer and acceptance (Jacobs, 1985). First and foremost, an offer has to be made for a contract and then such contract has to be clearly accepted by the other party. A mere counter offer does not form an acceptance. A contract has to involve a consideration of economic value (Carter, 2007). Most importantly, an intention to enter into the contract has to be present in the parties otherwise the whole purpose of a contract is lost. The parties to the contract have to be of contractual capability. And lastly, a certainty regarding the terms of the contract is essential to form an enforceable contract. In the present case, Richard and his father entered into an agreement whereby Richard had to mow the family property and do a bit to keep the gardens tidy. In return, a consideration of $200 was fixed which was to be paid by Richards father. The previous garden contractor was paid $350 for the same job. But this does not invalidate the consideration fixed in this case. The parties to contract are free to fix the consideration between them, as long as it has an economic value. So, in this case, an offer was made, an acceptance was attained and a proper consideration was set making this an enforceable contract (The Law Handbook, 2015). An intention to enter into the contract was present between the parties at the time of formation of the contract (Frey and Frey, 2005). A certainty regarding the terms of the contract was also present. So, this whole agreement was a valid and legally enforceable contract between Richard and his father. After four weeks, Richards father told him that he cannot afford to pay Richard $200 a week. He further stated that as a family, it was Richards responsibility to tend the garden and also, that Richard he getting free board and lodging. Family agreements are usually not taken as legally binding. But where clear evidence is present to the contrary, such agreements are binding. In the famous case of Errignton V Errignton, it was held that a fathers promise to allow his daughter in law and son to live in the house and ultimately own it, if the balance of mortgage was paid, was considered as an enforceable contract (Australian Contract Law, 2010). Applying the judgment of this case in the matter of Richard and his father, the agreement between them was an enforceable contract. When a party goes back on its promise, upon which the contract was based, and the consequences of such, result in material harm to the other party, the aggrieved party can claim damages by reasons of breach of contract. Here, Richard was an impoverished university student and his father was a millionaire. If Richard had not worked for his father, he would have been working somewhere else and earning money. Richard was not rich like his father and needed the money as it was his source of income. This can be further explained by taking the case where the garden contractor was still working for Richards father. If the said garden contractor was still working in the garden and doing tasks which Richard is now doing as per the agreement, Richards father would have paid him $350 per week. This amount was nearly double to what Richards father was paying to Richard. It does not matter that Richards father was providing Richard free boarding and lodging. Had Richard not been doing the garden tending activities, he would still have received such boarding and lodging. So, this does not affect the agreement made between Richard and his father in any way. The agreement between Richard and his father was made for a particular purpose of tending the garden. The agreement nowhere stated that free boarding and lodging would be provided in exchange of this work. Such terms were also not present in the agreement between Richards father and the garden contractor. This further strengthens the fact that free boarding and lodging was not part of the agreement. In this case, Richard has discharged his part of the agreement by performing the terms of contract. But on Richards father part, a breach of contract occurred. And so, Richard is eligible to damages as a result of material breach of contract. Damages for breach of contract are viewed as an alternative for performance. Here, the loss of consideration is material in nature and hence, Richard would be successful if he sued his father for a breach of contract. He can claim damages of consideration and apart from that he is also eligible for the mental distress this whole incident caused (Australian Law Reform Commission, 2016). Further, Richard has the right to terminate this contract. There is enough evidence in the present case to prove that an enforceable contract was formed. And by not following the terms of the contract, Richards father has established a breach of contract. And the legal remedies regarding such breach is a viable legal option available with Richard. 2. When an actor is hired for any acting job, they are usually required to sign a contract with the employer. This establishes the terms of contract clearly and removes any chances of ambiguity in the contract. Such acting contracts contain the employment terms, the dates and hours, compensation, exclusivity, merchandising and promotion and publicity services (Atkinson, 2013). An exclusivity term in the contract limits the actors right to engage in any other acting employment. This can include a prohibition from appearing in other productions during or even after a certain period of time. This term is a standard form in acting contracts and is considered valid. Further, exclusivity is not considered as a restriction to trade and commerce. When a party to a contract, fails to perform the terms of the contract, it is the case of breach of a contract by such party (Lindgren, 2011). A contract can be breached by reasons of failure to perform or failure to pay or violation of some other term of contract which is of material significance. In other words, the basis on which the contract is made, a promise, is not fulfilled or broken. A breach can be partial or material or even anticipatory. A partial breach is a failure to perform those tasks which are negligible or immaterial. Unless actual damage is shown, a party cannot sue the other party. In cases of material breach of contract, a major violation of significant terms of contract takes place. A material breach of contract can relieve an aggrieved party from performing his part of contract and gives him definitive right to sue for damages (Gibson and Fraser, 2013). An anticipatory breach of contract results when one party stops acting in accordance to the terms of contract which leads the other party to believe that the first party has no intention of fulfilling the obligations. An aggrieved party can sue breach of contract in form of damages, without actually waiting for the breach to occur (McKendrick and Qiao, 2015). When a breach of contract occurs, party can sue for damages and is also entitled to remedies. Specific performance is one of such remedies available to an aggrieved party (Barnett and Harder, 2014). Specific performance not available as a matter or right but has to be awarded at the discretion of the court. Specific performance is an order of the court which requires a party to perform certain tasks which are stated in the contract. It is classified as an equitable remedy and is an alternative to awarding damages. Equitable remedies are awarded by the court on the basis of what is fair and what seems right in a particular situation. Such remedies are different in each case and it is not necessary to follow the earlier remedies awarded or to stick to the established common laws. These remedies require discretion of court so that court can measure all the aspects of the case and then give the equitable justice to the aggrieved party (Ayres and Klass, 2012). Equitable remedies are flexible in nature and ensure that each situation has its adequate justice. It is worth noting that equitable remedies are not used as often as the legal remedies (like damages). Equitable remedies are awarded only when the monetary damages are either inadequate to the harm done to the aggrieved party or are difficult to calculate. As stated above, specific performance is one of such remedies available to an aggrieved party whereby he court can ask the breaching party to do the tasks mentioned in the contract. An injunction is also a form of equitable remedy whereby a court prevents a breaching party from doing certain things (Clarke and Clarke, 2016). So, by awarding an injunction order, a court can order a person to not do something which would result in loss to the aggrieved party. Injunctions are issued as a remedy at the end of any lawsuit where a breach of contract has been claimed. These are in the nature of permanent injunction. Temporary injunctions are awarded for a shorter period of time and are effectively immediately. Such injunctions are usually awarded before the start of a formal lawsuit. Lastly, a preliminary injunction can also be awarded by the court. These are also temporary in nature but are awarded till the time the proceedings of the case go on in the court (Elliot, 2011). In the given case, Joe entered into an exclusivity contract with Frere Bros, for a period of five years. As per this contract, Joe was prohibited from working in any film which was not made by Frere Bros. but, in the first year only, Joe entered into a contract with Pretty Pictures to star in their film. Here, Joe clearly breached the terms of the contract. And as a result Frere Bros have various remedies available as an aggrieved party. As a matter of right, Frere Bros is entitled to damages. Upon suing Joe, Frere Bros would be entitled to damages in form of a sum which would restore the economic position that Frere Bros expected from the exclusive acting performance by Joe. This sum would be fixed by the court. Further, Frere Bros can show that monetary damages are not adequate for such breach. And can request the court to order specific performance of the terms of the contract and an injunction to stop the breaching party from undertaking certain task. Frere Bros can also request the court to stop Joe from acting in the movie of Pretty Pictures as it would result not only in economical damages, but incomputable loss of revenue, which would have resulted, if Joe had only performed in their movies. Frere Bros can attain an injunction order against Joe which would ensure that Joe does not work in a movie other than that of Frere Bros. To conclude, in the given case, Joe had breached the exclusivity contract which he entered with Frere Bros but entering into an acting contract with Pretty Pictures. Frere Bros have equitable remedies in this case. Firstly, they are entitled to specific performance whereby a court can order Joe to only work in Frere Bros movies for the stated period of five years, as per the contract. Secondly, Frere Bros can get an injunction order against Joe to stop him from acting in the movie scheduled to be made by Pretty Pictures. References Atkinson, G. (2013) Acting Contracts. [Online] LegalMatch. Available from: https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/acting-contracts.html [Accessed on 06/09/16] Australian Contract Law (2010) Errington v Errington [1952] 1 KB 290. [Online] Australian Contract Law. Available from: https://www.australiancontractlaw.com/cases/errington.html [Accessed on 06/09/16] Australian Law Reform Commission (2016) Remedies and Costs. [Online] Australian Government. Available from: https://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/12-remedies-and-costs/damages#_ftn1 [Accessed on 06/09/16] Ayres, I., and Klass, G. (2012)Studies in Contract Law. 8th ed. New York: Foundation Press. Barnett, K., and Harder, S. (2014) Remedies in Australian Private Law. UK: Cambridge University Press Carter, J W. (2007) Contract law in Australia. 5th ed. Sydney: LexisNexis Butterworths. Clarke, P., and Clarke, J (2016) Contract Law: Commentaries, Cases and Perspectives. 3rd ed, South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Department of State Development (2016) Contract Law. [Online] Government of South Australia. Available from: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/crime-justice-and-the-law/contract-law [Accessed on 06/09/16] Elliot, C. (2011) Contract Law. 8th ed. London: Pearson. Frey, H.P., and Frey, M.A. (2005) Essentials of Contract Law. 3rd ed, Portland: Delmar Cengage Learning. Gibson, A., and Fraser, D. (2013) Business Law 2014. NSW: Pearson Australia Jacobs, E.J. (1985). The Battle of the Forms: Standard Term Contracts in Comparative Perspective. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 34 (2), pp 297-316. Lindgren, K.E. (2011) Vermeesch and Lindgren's Business Law of Australia, 12th ed, Australia: LexisNexis. McKendrick, E., and Qiao, L. (2015) Contract Law: Australian Edition. London: Palgrave Macmillan The Law Handbook (2015) Elements of a Contract. [Online] The Law Handbook. Available from: https://www.lawhandbook.org.au/07_01_02_elements_of_a_contract/ [Accessed on 06/09/16] Treitel, G.H., and Peel, E. (2015) The Law of Contract.14th ed, London: Sweet Maxwell.

Some people have the view that British generals like Haig were incompetent leaders Essay Example

Some people have the view that British generals like Haig were incompetent leaders Essay The First World War was a horrific war that started on the 28 July 1914 and lasted until the 11 November 1918. The two sides who fought in the War were The Triple Entente and The Triple Alliance. France and Belgium was the meeting point of these sides. And so most of the fighting that Britain was involved in took place in these two countries – across the Western Front. In order to protect them and have some private planning time, both sides dug trenches; however the trenches were overcrowded, wet and muddy, they also became the final resting place for millions of young men. These once simple shelters had transformed into complex defensive systems by 1915. Trench-foot was a common disease due to the muddy conditions; feet turned gangrenous and in many cases led to amputation. The soldiers were never alone in the trenches; many creatures also made the trenches their home. These creatures were to play a big role in the health of the fighting soldiers as they were all carriers of disease and infections and they ate the dead human bodies. Creatures include rats, mice and lice. Infantry charged replaced the cavalry charge; the main tactic used was going ‘over the top’ however defenders swept the advancing attackers with machine gun fire, and even when the attackers captured forward positions it was impossible for them to keep them. Also, artillery became more powerful compared to the old inaccurate guns that were once used. Weapons included the Bayonet, Lee Enfield rifle, hand grenades and the eight bullets a second machine gun. Tanks were another weapon used to crush barbed wire and spray the enemy with machine gunfire. We will write a custom essay sample on Some people have the view that British generals like Haig were incompetent leaders specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Some people have the view that British generals like Haig were incompetent leaders specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Some people have the view that British generals like Haig were incompetent leaders specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer However the tanks were still not developed enough; they moved very slowly and they were not most broke before reaching the German’s trenches. The Battle of the Somme was the biggest disaster in the whole of the First World War. The initial plan was an attack on the enemy by the French with British support, however the tables turned and Germany attacked Verdun. An offensive was launched around the River Somme to divert attention away from Verdun where the French were close to surrender. Sir Douglas Haig was appointed leader of this offensive. Haig was born in Edinburgh on 19 June 1861 into a wealthy family who owned a whisky business. He studied at Oxford University and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He then served as a cavalry officer for nine years, mainly in India. He also took part in the Sudan campaign (1897 1898) and the Boer War (1899 1902). The objective of the offensive was to gain territory, to ease the violence of the French and to kill as many German people as possible. The initial plan was a twelve hour bombardment which meant that thousands of Germans would be killed; barbed wire and machine gun positions would also be destroyed. On the first day of July 1916 at 7:28 am the offensive started with the explosion of 5 mines placed under German territory. At 7:30 am, thousands of soldiers were ordered b Haig and other leaders to walk up to the German frontline. The place that the infantry walked enable the German time to set up their machine guns and within hours around 60,000 soldiers were hit – a third of them killed. However Haig and the leaders did not change their tactics until the end of the war. An historical interpretation is when an event id described from different points of view. Evidence (e. g. secondary research), personal interpretation of an event and opinion all play a big role of a historical interpretation. A historical interpretation can also change with the time because new evidence always comes to light. The Battle of the Somme is one of the events that have been interpreted. Many historians argue that the Battle of the Somme was a disaster because leaders like Haig used the wrong tactics and out-of-date methods like the infantry charge which resulted in many casualties. These leaders believed that if they did it often enough and with enough men then they would wear the Germans down and eventually break through, which did happen but it cost too many lives. However other historians will interpret the event differently and say that so many lives were lost due to the weaponry used(the shells that were intended at the German lines were made by inexperienced munitions workers and only a third of them went off. ), the German tactics and inexperienced soldiers and leaders like Haig were not to blame. Interpretations about leaders like Haig have unsurprisingly changed overtime. Criticisms of leaders like Haig began to appear during the war. In July 1916, Haig was criticised by many including Winston Churchill and resentment was apparent between Prime Minister Lloyd George and Haig. At the same time everyone wanted to portray an image of leaders like Haig as an inspiring, and good commander who was a good role model for his troops. By the 1920s people wanted to forget all that happened and move on. For ten years, all the evidence seemed to support leaders like Haig, after the British did win the war. However historians began to claim that there was a government cover-up in favour of generals like Haig and by the end of the 1920s attitudes began to drastically change. Books were beginning to criticise leaders like Haig and blaming them for the horror and pointlessness of the war. By 1930s people began to realise that the First World War was not the ‘war end all wars’ as promised. The first interpretation â€Å"leaders like Haig are incompetent† is shown in source B1. This is a source written by John Laffin, a military historian that researched the war from soldiers’ viewpoint. This source clearly expresses that generals like Haig are to be blamed for large amount of soldiers that died and that these leaders should never be forgiven for the disaster. Laffin earned his living by taking people on tours around the battlefield this makes him trustworthy because he would have to teach people the right information in order to make the tour successful. The source was written in 2003 which makes the source reliable because there was a lot of evidence that Laffin could have used to produce the source. However the fact that information given to the people on tour was based on soldiers’ viewpoints makes the source unreliable because the majority of soldiers would probably have a negative viewpoint of the war because of the amount of soldiers that died. Also, in the period between the end of the war and 2003, interpretations of what happened in the Battle of the Somme significantly changed and Laffin seems to ignore them all and use the negative viewpoints of the soldiers. The source is also limited because the source, an extract from a book, could have been intended for a certain audience and will inevitably have Laffin’s opinion which is based on the negative feedback he researched. Also, the title of the book that Laffin wrote â€Å"British Bunglers and Bunglers of World War One† automatically alludes us to the opinion of Laffin, that leaders like Haig were the reason why so many men were killed. Laffin suggests that leader’s like Haig were responsible for the slaughter of many soldiers. In summary the source is useful because it helps us understand, whether true or not, why people think that these leaders were incompetent because â€Å"they knew what they were doing†, for example the leaders used out-of date methods, General Douglas Haig had insisted in using cavalry like he did on the dry African Plains. One way in which people interpret leaders like Haig are incompetent is because of his tactics; this is seen in Source B2 which describes leaders like Haig as murderers, and this source could’ve been used by Laffin to generate his interpretation in the previous source. The source is a diary written by a Private who fought in the Battle of the Somme. Diaries are not intended for public use, therefore the writer will write his true opinions in the diary entry, however the opinion will obviously biased, and his opinion is clear in the source that leaders like Haig should be â€Å"hung, drawn and quartered†. The fact that he was a solider fighting in the Somme makes the source reliable because he witnessed what had happened on July 1916; he had to witness the people he had fought alongside being killed because of the instructions that were given by leaders like Haig therefore he would have an instant negative opinion of leaders like Haig. The date that the source was written, 1916, makes the source reliable because it was at the exact time that the battle of the Somme happened therefore it would be accurate portrayal of what was happening at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme. In conclusion the source is useful and reliable because it is from a soldier who actually fought in the devastating battle therefore the opinion would be a valid one; he actually witnessed all the killing and was probably instructed to follow the same fate as the rest of the men. Laffin would have used Smith’s opinion to his advantage in order to come up with his own interpretation because it supports his opinion. Next, it’s not just historians that criticise Haig’s competence as shown in source B4 where British Prime Minister David Lloyd George says that General Douglas Haig was a â€Å"second-rate commander†. The source is reliable because the Prime Minister wrote the source during World War One – he would have been given information about the vast numbers of those who died especially on the first day of the battle of the Somme; thus, the negative attitude towards leaders like Haig is not surprising. According to some research I have undertaken, Lloyd George was a successful political journalist and the information in the book was well-researched; one of his sources being the Cabinet Minutes in which he looked over the military details. However the fact that the Prime Minister David Lloyd George was talking about his war-time experiences is very ironic because he didn’t fight during the war and didn’t know about the other conditions that the soldiers had to live through e. g. trench foot. The source is also limited because it is evident that the source was intended to portray a certain message; the book seems to establish Lloyd George’s reputation as a war leader and at the same time destroy the reputation of Haig and leaders like Haig. In conclusion the source is reliable and useful because Lloyd George’s interpretation of events, whether true or not, seems to come from a good source i. e. the Cabinet Minutes. This source could have been used by Laffin as the source is the opinion of one of the most important men at the time of the war and this opinion supports the interpretation generate by Laffin. Next, leaders like Haig were known to stay in the communication trenches, which were miles away from the front line, whilst the soldiers lived in trenches near the front line. Also, it is obvious that these commanders did not fight in the battle but just gave the orders. This is shown in source B6, a cartoon about World War One leadership published in 1917 by a satirical magazine. The source clearly explains that leaders like Haig were absent during â€Å"the real thing†. The source is reliable because it was written during the war and by 1917 criticisms of leaders like Haig were beginning to surface. The source is also reliable because a lot of research would have been undertaken in order to confidentially publish this article especially because leaders like Haig were still seen as inspiring awe-commanders. However, the magazine will have to be sold and therefore have to entertain the audience; the purpose of the source makes the source unreliable because the source is inevitably exaggerated. The date in which the source is written also limits the source because February 1917 was only 6 months into the battle and therefore the whole picture is not given in this illustration. Overall the source is reliable and useful because it helps us understand that some people thought that the absence of the leaders could have been one of the most important factors which led to so many deaths; a lot of people blamed it on inexperienced soldiers yet the experienced generals were kept hidden. Laffin could have used this source to come up with his own interpretation because this viewpoint because it shows that leaders like Haig were not as inspiring and awe commanding as they were perceived to be but people who didn’t follow their own old tactics. In conclusion, source B1, B2, B4, and B6 are all useful and reliable in helping me understand why leaders like Haig were labelled as incompetent. Firstly, source B1 is a direct interpretation itself which blatantly expresses that leaders like Haig were incompetent. Secondly, source B2 tells me that leaders like Haig were viewed as incompetent because of the tactics he used. This backs up my knowledge; leaders like Haig used old tactics. On the 1st of July 1916 leaders like Haig enforced the tactic that led many to their deaths: infantry. This made sure that the men slowly walked across to the German trenches after heavy bombardment, which itself was a failure, this slow pace allowed the Germans to re-establish themselves and launch their defence. Source B4 also alludes to the opinion that leaders like Haig’s tactics were not good and were useless on such an â€Å"immense battlefield†. Source B6 suggests that the inexperienced soldiers had a part to play in the disaster but it was not their fault but of the fault of the experienced leaders like Haig who were not willing to join in the fighting. These sources increase my understanding as to why so many historians argue that leaders like Haig were incompetent. From the sources I have chosen, I am able to understand that historians believe that if leaders like Haig tried other tactics and participated more in the battle then it wouldn’t have ended in such a disaster. I think based on the amount of people who died just on the first day that this interpretation is a valid one. However, other historians have interpreted that leaders like Haig are competent and believe that leaders were not to blame for the Battle of the Somme. This interpretation is shown in source B9, it explains that leaders like Haig were not incompetent and the reason why so much people died was due to other factors. This source is reliable because of the date in which it was written; this allowed the author, John Terraine, to use enough evidence that had been researched throughout the years up until 1980. Terrain is a historian which means he is able to analyse and assess sources well, this makes the source reliable because Terrain would have analysed each source and I assume that Terraine used reliable and most useful ones to come up with his interpretation. The source is also unreliable because it is intended for people to buy the book and therefore a certain level of exaggeration and entertainment will be present. In the source Terraine says that leaders like Haig â€Å"rose to challenge after challenge† however leaders like Haig remained in the communication trenches whilst the privates fought the blood stained war, thus they didn’t rise to any challenge. Also between the war and 1980 many different interpretations have arisen yet Terraine seems to ignore all of these new interpretations, he has focused on the interpretation that these so called war heroes were not to blame and the fault was due to the other contributing factors which worsened life for the soldiers in the trenches like trench foot. Source B1 is an example of an interpretation which supports the interpretation that leaders like Haig are incompetent. The author of this source, John Laffin, researched the war from soldier’s viewpoints and has been able to come with a negative interpretation. However, source B11 is written by a former soldier who was gassed during the Battle of the Somme and brought to Britain because of it. Liddell Hart, writing to the Daily Express, says that the leadership was excellent and â€Å"flawless†. The source is reliable because Liddell Hart was actually present during the Battle therefore his opinion should be based on what he witnessed and leadership skills of leaders like Haig. The source is also useful because it helps us think of the other factors that caused the soldiers to die if it wasn’t because of the leadership. Both sides did not know how to use the new weaponry correctly, for example gas. Gas was a new form of defence, it was a very deadly weapon and it killed alot of people; mustard gas ensured that the lungs had dissolved in a matter of hours causing a slow and painful death. On the other hand, the source is limited because Liddell Hart was invalided back to Britain in December which means he did not witness the whole war therefore we are not getting the whole picture of how leadership was. We can infer the source and say that the purpose of the source can somewhat make the source unreliable. In more depth, the Daily Express would publish this letter and in order to keep the British morale high nothing negative would have to be published. The British public want to know that their loved ones are in the safe hands of good leaders and therefore this source helps achieve this for them. Overall, the source is useful and reliable because it helps us understand why others do not blame leaders like Haig for the vast amount of deaths. Terraine could use this source to create his own interpretation because it clearly states that leaders like Haig were great therefore alluding to the opinion that the leaders like Haig were not to blame for the disaster. Some historians believe that the inexperienced soldiers should be blamed for the vast majority of deaths. Source B13 are diary entries that belonged to Haig himself which he used as the bass for his reports to the War Cabinet. The diary entries are dated the 31st of June and 1st of July 1916 which makes the source the source reliable because it is a day before and the actual date of the first day of the Somme. Haig says that on the men are in â€Å"splendid spirits† which suggests that the soldiers were unprepared the soldiers were for the disaster that was going to happen and how much they underestimated the German army. Perhaps these soldiers are the inexperienced ones; a lot of soldiers at the time were inexperienced due to conscription and propaganda; people just wanted to fight for their country. Haig also says that the soldiers â€Å"have never before been so instructed and informed† which suggests that the leadership was so good that no-one was in doubt of the upcoming task. The source is also reliable because a diary contains someone’s inner thoughts and feelings that aren’t really revealed to anyone, assuming that these diary entries are Haig’s real thoughts and feelings (a leader wouldn’t want to send many to their slaughter without feeling bad even if it was for the right reasons). According to research, Haig was a brilliant self-publicist that was recognised throughout the nation, if we infer the source we can say that the diary entry was just another means of propaganda. The source is also limited because Haig says that the attack on the 1st of July 1916 was a â€Å"very successful attack† however he does not mention the reasons as to why it was such a success. Overall, the source is not very useful or reliable because the person behind the source is the actual person who different historians argue for and against. Haig would obviously want to perceive himself as a great leader therefore making this source unreliable. Historians who share the same interpretation as Terraine could use this source to form their interpretation that support leaders like Haig because this source shows that the leadership was good enough and the men seemed happy with the instructions they were given, therefore it is not the fault of the leaders. Terraine could have also used this source because it suggests that the German defences lost more men than the British because they were â€Å"short of men† whereas the British troops were â€Å"full of confidence†. Many historians argue that if leaders like Haig were to blame for the disasters, why were there so much people welcoming them home. This is shown in source B15, a photograph which shows the welcoming of Haig home in 1919. The fact that it is a photograph makes the source reliable because it is a still image of time that cannot be changed, and they did not have the technology at the time to edit the photo to such detail. The source is also useful because it shows that alot of people did not think that leaders like Haig were incompetent hence the large amount of people that were there to welcome home their so called ‘hero. However, the provenance of source is unknown therefore this makes the source unreliable – for all we know this photograph could have been taken by the government for propaganda purposes. The source is also limited because it does show any other interpretations after 1919; by the 1930s people began to question the competence of leaders like Haig but by the 1960s balanced arguments had formed. In summary the source is reliable and useful because it outlines the interpretations from straight after the war even if they did begin to change. Terrain could of used this source to aid him create his own interpretation because the source clearly illustrates that leaders like Haig were generally respected and were seen as war heroes, and as a result of them adaptingâ€Å" themselves to constant change with astonishing success† so many people turned up to welcome them home. In conclusion source B9, B11 and B15 are all useful and reliable in helping me understand why historians believe that leaders like Haig were good leaders. Source B9 suggests that leaders like Haig fought their part of the war just as much as all the other soldiers, however all other evidence argues against this idea. Although leaders like Hag might not have fought the war physically, I think that the job of trying to come up with a good enough plan in order to win the battle and then instructing the men to do it would have been hard itself, and to be fair to leaders like Haig, the British people did eventually win the war – just like Haig had promised. Source B11 suggests that the leaders like Haig were good leaders and that they could not be faulted. Source B15 is reliable because it is a photograph that clearly illustrates that leaders like Haig were not seen as the fault of the losses. Maybe this is due to the lack of evidence that was published at the time (against Haig) or people simply sympathised with Haig because with the decisions he was faced with. However the same cannot be said about source B13. In my opinion source B13 is unreliable because the provenance of source is untrustworthy. I can assume that Haig would obviously try to show himself as a good leader therefore anything he says could just be exaggerated and untrue. All of these sources help me understand that there were other factors that caused the vast number of deaths and the fault wasn’t only in the hands of leaders like Haig. It makes me think about the other factors that made war life difficult for the soldiers. For example, the rats and lice which carried disease around the trenches or the trench foot which disabled alot of soldiers from fighting. Other contributing factors could be the underage, inexperienced soldiers or the misuse of the new weaponry. I also think that this interpretation is valid based on the sources that I have evaluated because each source gives a reason as to why leaders like Haig were not incompetent.