The traditional view of the Somme is that it was the point where the outlook on the war went from a patriotic view of the war to a war that they were only fighting because it was compulsory. Most people look upon the Somme as the battle which destroyed the idealism of the British public. Source E backs this up saying `Kitchener's army found its graveyard on the Somme. There perished the zest and idealism with which nearly three million Englishmen had marched forth to war' Source M also says `virtually all reacted to the war with a similar patter: idealism, followed by disillusionment leading to protest and/or pacifism.'

First you have to make a very clear distinction between the point of view of the soldiers and the point of view of the civilians. Because the soldiers are fighting the war and being made to endure...