Why Is The Battle Of The Somme Important

History Final Review Sheet

Places/Events

• July 1, 1916 – Battle of the Somme o British launched offensive against Somme River o Also known as the Somme Offensive, took place during the First World War between 1 July and 14 November 1916 in the Somme department of France, on both banks of the river of the same name. The battle consisted of an offensive by the British and French armies against the German Army, which, since invading France in August 1914, had occupied large areas of that country. The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest battles of the First World War; by the time fighting had petered out in late autumn 1916 the forces involved had suffered more than 1 million casualties, making it one of the bloodiest military operations
o British want peace – try to keep peace between Austria and Serbia o Germans convinced selves that war was inevitable – might a well get it over with early while Germany still had some power o Felt weaker vis-à-vis France and Russians bc railway system was under Fr contract
• 1906 – 1907: first genocide of 20th C – Northern German South Africa o Turks deny genocide
• 1917 Battle of Caporetto o Took place from 24 October to 19 November 1917, near the town of Kobarid (now in Slovenia), on the Austro-Italian front of World War I. o Austro-Hungarian forces, reinforced by German units, were able to break into the Italian front line and rout the Italian army, which had practically no mobile reserves. The battle was a demonstration of the effectiveness of the use of stormtroopers and the infiltration tactics developed in part by Oskar von Hutier. The use of poison gas by the Germans played a key role in the collapse of the Italian Second
Heinrich Himmler's speech at the Posen Conference of October 6, 1943, for the first time, clearly elucidated to all assembled leaders of the Reich that the "Final Solution" meant that "all Jews would be killed" o By 1942 – “Final Solution” = 1942-1945 → Finals = exterminated by shooting or gasing
• 1936 – Berlin Olympics o Jesse Owens o Marty Glinton – didn’t get to run as to not upset Hitler o Sam Stoer
• Jews
• Sudetenland o The German name used in English in the first half of the 20th century for the northern, southwest and western regions of Czechoslovakia inhabited mostly by ethnic Germans, specifically the border areas of Bohemia, Moravia, and those parts of Silesia located within Czechoslovakia. o Czech – only democracy East of France o Cz alliance with France and treaty with Soviet Union o Nazi party in Sud land o Sud ask for separation from Czech → war but Hitler not ready in May o Sept 1, 1938 → Henleign given blank check by Czech prime minister (Hein says no)
• Sept 12, 1938 → Neuremburg rally → violent speech-- WAR o the annual rally of the NSDAP (Nazi Party) in Germany, held from 1923 to 1938. Especially after Hitler's rise to power in 1933, they were large Nazi propaganda