1941

Article summary

The Correlates of War project estimates this to be the deadliest year in human history in terms of conflict deaths, placing the death toll at 3.49 million. However, the Uppsala Conflict Data Program estimates that the subsequent year, 1942, was the deadliest such year. Death toll estimates for both 1941 and 1942 range from 2.28 to 7.71 million each.

Key claims

1. date of birth: 1895 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of birth: 1885 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of establishment: 1943 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of birth is "1895". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of birth is "1885". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of establishment is "1943". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375726193