Discussion Questions
February 19, 2020
- In Sheffield’s account of Vimy Ridge the Canadians are largely invisible. Why does Sheffield’s account do so? What is his major argument in his article?
- According to Sheffield, why does the battle of Vimy Ridge continue to be a celebrated event of the war? What do you think of his analysis?
- According to Sheffield, Canadian nationalism has meant that “…the British elements of the force that fight in the battle have been airbrushed out of popular memory”. Is Sheffield guilty of doing the same thing to the Canadians in his recounting of the battle?
- Not to diminish the importance of of preparation and logistical support, but would you agree that in any major battle the final credit invariably goes to the front lines and to those individuals who actually did the fighting? In Sheffield’s haste to elevate the status of the British forces has he misrepresented the nature of the battle?
- What is Dickson’s assessment of the Canadians, particularly with respect to the period of 1917 and the potential impact that it may have had on Vimy Ridge?
- Dickson and Sheffield appear to be opposed to one another in their assessment of Canadian troops and their role in Vimy Ridge. How can we reconcile what appear to be conflicting interpretations? Where does the truth lie? Can both historians be correct, and if so, how do we understand Vimy Ridge as it relates to the Canadians? Are both historians correct, depending on the criteria for assessment applied?
- Do the letters agree or disagree with aspects of the historians’ interpretations? What significant details can be drawn from the letters? Do they provide insights which are not evident in the other sources?
- Where does the video stand on the question of Vimy Ridge? In Norm Christie’s assessment, where are the non-Canadian forces?