Britain at war (1914-1918) Flashcards
when did ww1 start
21st July 191
when did ww1 end
11th November 1918
what was the liberal party’s attitude to war
divided
many were pacifists
many were concerned over German military expansion
what was the conservative’s party’s attitude to the war
many were pro-war as the empire needed to be defended
some concerned about economic effects
what was the labour party’s attitude about the war
deeply divided
many pacifists (socialist- Marx theory)
necessary due to the threats UK faced by Germany
who was the PM during the start of the war
Asquith (liberal)
why did Britain go to war with Germany
Germany did not respond to Britain’s ultimatium
when did Britain enter ww1
11pm 4thAugust 1914
when France went to war with Germany why did Britain need to consider involvement in the war
Britain had an informal naval alliance with France
why was Belgium’s involvement in the war important
a long standing agreement (if Belgium was attacked Britain had to help)
Belgium was a small country so seemed unfair if they had to fight by themselves
define total war
a war which restricts normal everyday life
what is the defence of realm act
the act allowed government considerable powers to maximise production, keep military secrets and protect people
when was the defence of realm act passed
8th August 1914
what was the military service act January 1916
single men between 18-41 if liable were sent to fight on the front line
give one impact on children during the war
children took out of education, between 1914-17 600,000 children were took out of education to work
what was the demographic of those who had the highest death rates through the war
wealthier and healthier men as the working class men were too weak or unwell to fight
give one improvement of food during WW1
restrictions on alcohol meant there was more spending on food so people were achieving the daily calories or exceeding them
(spending rose by 60%)
give a problem with food during WW1
rationing was introduced in 1918, meaning there were long queues
when was rationing introduced
February 1918
why was housing a problem
there were less men to build houses so there was a housing shortage and there was less repairs so damp led to lung diseases
give an example of poor working conditions during the war
women worked in ammunition factories and 300 died
how did working conditions increased during the war
900 factory canteens
give 3 examples of government intervention
seperation payments (those who had a member who were in active service and were paid 23s for a wife and one child)
Care of mothers and young children 1915 (more midwives and provision of milk)
school meals extended throughout the year not just term time
how many women served
100,000
what was a disadvantage of women in armed forces
there was no officer ranks
how many women worked in ammunitions
947,000
how many women died due to chemical and explosions industry
300
give 2 reasons why the roles of women still did not improve or change as a result of the war
there was still 1.25 million women in domestic service
taking on new roles was associated with the dislocation of war
how could you argue that women gained the vote in 1918 due to achievements before the (give 3 ways)
radical actions could not be risked again
the work during the war enabled a different view on women
bills prior got considerable support
how many women were part of the war effort
4.7 million
give an example of an act passed that increased the women who could vote
J.W Lowther suggested that women over 30 could vote
who was part of the coalition
liberal
conservatives
labour
when was the coalition formed
25th May 1915
give 3 reasons why the coalition was formed
conflict with liberal ideas
failures in war
shell shortages and leadership problems
how did the war go against liberal ideologies (2 ways)
control over civilian lives
restricted trade
give a military failure
Gallipoli
who was the PM of the coalition at the start
Asquith (liberal
who was minister of muntions
Lloyd George
why was Churchill forced to resign
the failures of Gallipoli
what was Henderson’s role
minister of education
why was a leadership change needed
military failures (Battle of Somme)
who proposed the three-man war cabinet
Lloyd George
when was the three-man war committee proposed
1st December 1916
give a statistic that argued Lloyd George would be more suited as PM rather than Asquith
80 MP’s were in support of Lloyd George in leadership
what was the timeline from the 3rd-7th December that led to Lloyd George being PM
3rd- Asquith agrees to 3 man council
4th- Asquith withdraws his offer
5th- Lloyd George resigns
6th- Asquith resigns
7th- Lloyd George is PM
give examples of policies that Lloyd George passed that angered some liberals (2 ways)
post war reconstruction (‘homes fit for heroes)
conscription in Ireland (angered Irish nationalists)
what was the Maurice debate of May 1918
officer Sir Maurice complained about the inaccurate data about deaths on the front line to the public
who was the leader of labour
Ramsey MacDonald
why did MacDonald resign
the party did not oppose the government’s war budget
what is the evidence that shows labour moved onto a more socialist ideology
labour and the new social order
Clause IV
