Dummies guide questions ‘Blackadder bias’

In an easy-to-read style, First World War for Dummies takes the reader through the conflict from its origins, through the famous battles on land, on sea and – for the first time – in the air.

It considers the war in Africa, the Pacific and in the Middle East; looks at the war’s impact on civilian life and on the role of women; and continues the story right through to the dramatic events that brought the war to its close.

One hundred years later and argument still rages about the First World War: Was it justified? Were the generals incompetent? Who is right: Captain Edmund Blackadder or the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP?

Both in the book and in the supplementary online material, Dr Lang looks at the arguments about who was to blame for the war, he considers the case for and against the generals, and asks the crucial question: Did the First World War lead to the Second World War?

Dr Lang said: “Blackadder Goes Forth portrays the generals of the First World War to be heartless incompetents sipping sherry while sending men over the top to their deaths.   Some certainly fitted the General Melchett stereotype, but overall this view is far too simplistic.

“The generals on the Western Front were caught in a situation no military leaders had ever faced, and with new military technology that was developing at a bewildering rate.  People often criticise the generals of the First World War for launching futile attacks for minimal gain, but they were on a very steep learning curve.

“Yes, there were ghastly mistakes, such as the attack on the Somme in 1916 and the disastrous attack at Passchendaele the following year.  But the British Generals also had some big successes, especially the campaign in 1918 at the very end of the war, which was one of the most successful campaigns the British army has ever fought.

“The debate on the generals of the First World War tends to focus heavily on the British generals, even though other countries certainly produced some spectacularly unsuccessful leaders, such as the Italian General Cadorna, the French General Nivelle, much of the Russian high command and, at least at the very end of the war, Germany’s General Ludendorff.  It’s important not to forget these non-British examples of military ineptitude.”

Dr Lang also explains why the five peace treaties of 1919, including the Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany and the Allied powers, went so disastrously wrong.  He said: “The Treaty of Versailles with Germany was so harsh on the defeated side that it led many Germans to welcome Hitler into power in 1933 after he declared that he’d tear the treaty up.

“Austrians resented the fact that the Treaty of St Germain reduced their country to a small rump and forbade them to join up with Germany: it’s no surprise that they welcomed Hitler to Vienna when he took the country over in 1938.

“Hungarians were outraged by the loss of their lands imposed by the Treaty of Trianon, and they still are; Bulgarians feel much the same about the Treaty of Neuilly.  The Turks, too, felt they had a raw deal in the Treaty of Sèvres, but they challenged it and got a better deal at Lausanne a few years later.

“The peace settlement was supposed to have made the First World War a war to end all wars; instead it set the fuse for an even bigger world war just 20 years later.”

First World War for Dummies is produced in association with Imperial War Museums and is lavishly illustrated with photographs from the IWM’s extensive online collections.  The book is on sale as a paperback and e-book, priced at £15.99.

 

About the author

Dr Seán Lang is Senior Lecturer in History at Anglia Ruskin University and a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.  Dr Lang has served as an advisor on the subject of history in schools to the British Government and the Council of Europe, and he is the author of a number of textbooks and books, including British History for Dummies, European History for Dummies and Twentieth Century History for Dummies.

 
About For Dummies

With near universal name recognition, more than 250 million books in print, and over 1800 topics, For Dummies is the world’s bestselling reference series.  With loyal customers around the globe, For Dummies enriches people’s lives by making knowledge accessible in a fun and easy way.  For Dummies is a branded imprint of Wiley and for more information, visit www.Dummies.com  


About Imperial War Museums

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) was established in 1917 while the First World War was still being fought, to ensure that future generations would understand the unprecedented scale and impact of the war, and to record the contributions of the men, women and children who played their role. IWM (Imperial War Museums) tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War.

IWM’s extensive programme for the Centenary includes new First World War Galleries at IWM London (opening 19 July, 2014), ‘Truth and Memory’, an exhibition of First World War art collections, contemporary art commissions, a major exhibition ‘Street to Trench’ at IWM North (opened 5 April, 2014) and later this year, IWM will also launch Lives of the First World War – an innovative and interactive digital platform that will tell the life stories of over 8 million people.


About the First World War Centenary

2014-2018 marks the centenary of the First World War, a landmark anniversary for Britain and the world.  IWM will mark the centenary by leading a vibrant, four year programme of cultural activities across the country, including the opening of brand new First World War Galleries at IWM London in 2014.  For more information visit www.1914.org

 *******

 

For more press information please contact:

Jon Green on t: 0845 196 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk

Jamie Forsyth on t: 0845 196 4716, e: Jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
____________________________________