Britain at War 1914-1918 Flashcards
Three reasons why Britain was involved in the First World War.
- The Triple Entente: between France, GB and Russia- Italy and Romania joined in 1915 and Greece joined in 1917.
Opposition was the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. Ottoman Empire too. - Germany and the Schlieffen Plan: Germany feared “a war on two fronts”
- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: Serbian terrorists ‘The Black Hand’ group, assassinated the Archduke of Austria. Because of this, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia saw this as harsh on the Slavs and mobilised her army. Germany launched the Schlieffen Plan, and invaded Belgium. GB declared war on Germany.
Three negative attitudes towards the war movement.
Negative:
- Religious groups like the Quakers, refused to join the war effort based on principle. Pacifism.
- Conscientious Objectors, ‘Counchies’ were made officially recognised. Some were imprisoned and others given non-combat roles.
- Political leaders, like Ramsay Macdonald, opposed the war- these lost their positions and political parties grew split over the war. Like the Labour Party.
- The war was not one of a heroic nature. Rather so, it was the first of its kind. A modern industrial war, fought with heavy, and deadly means. Like machine guns and gas.
Three positive attitudes towards the war.
Positives:
- Suffragettes stopped their violent campaigns and took to the war effort.
- There was a strong ‘anti-German’ feeling turned up by the English Literature culture at the time. It had portrayed the Germans to be antagonists (The Riddle of the Sands). Propaganda was used to strengthen this feeling; focusing on the Belgian atrocities.
- There was very much an expectation for it to be a swift and easy victory. It was said that “it’ll be over by Christmas”, due to short European Wars previously.
Define DORA.
DORA stands for ‘Defence of the Realm Act’.
It was passed just four days after the outbreak of war; on the 8th of August 1914.
It’s initial aim was to bring additional control to the state over its people, and cut the freedoms of the people.
Four terms of DORA.
- Compulsory rationing of basic foods in 1918.
- Censorship was brought in. The press, telegrams and private correspondence were now censored, in the bid to keep public morale.
- Land use became regulated with country agricultural committees set up to ensure land was not left uncultivated. Like the Women’s Land Army.
- Conscription was brought in, 1916 - the Military Service Act meant that in January 1916, all unmarried men aged between 18-41 had to enlist. This was extended to married men in the May; due to the Battle of Somme. This was then extended further to all men 18-50.
What help was accessible to those in need back at home?
Belgian refugees had volunteers willing to help them.
The YMCA was extended to help soldiers.
The Prince of Wales National Relief Fund was to help those who were made homeless due to bombings.
However, people back at home were somewhat, hostile to both, conscientious objectors and German immigrants living in Britain.
Three positive effects of the war on living standards.
- Disability allowances were made to those who had been too bad injured by the war, to return to employment.
- The problem of malnutrition began to be addressed. Munition canteens were introduced- by 1918 there were 900 work places feeding munition workers. The Free School Meals Act was extended to more children also.
- The National Insurance Act was extended so now more people had access to healthcare facilities.
Three negative effects of the War on living standards.
- Child care costs were cut.
- There were significant food shortages throughout 1917, due to the German Strategy. German U-Boats attacked US merchant ships.
- Middle class suffered from great loss. Death rates were significantly higher for middle and lower classes.
Why was a coalition government formed in 1915?
- The weakness of the Liberals: the Liberal Government stood for freedom- but in WW1 brought in restricted trade, censorship etc- made them unpopular.
- Military weaknesses and failings: example of the Nevue Chapelle 1915 - lasted for three days, lost 13K men and only advanced 1K yards.
- The press’ criticism brutalised the Liberals.
- The Shells Crisis: shortage of shells and the wrong type of shells - GB general French told the press. Daily Mail began to criticise Lord Kitchener as the minister of war. Ultimately, building great pressure of Asquith.
The coalition government allowed who to emerge?
New individuals such as Bonar Law and Balfour from the Conservatives, Henderson from Labour, started to emerge into leadership of the coalition. Asquith however, remained as prime minister.
Describe the “Rise of Lloyd George”.
Lloyd George sorted out the shells crisis, he increased production. By 1918, factories were piling out a million shells a month. He had an active leadership which was likeable to the public.
December 1916- Lloyd George proposed a war council. He said the war should be run by a cabinet, led by himself. Asquith should be confined to domestic issues. Rejected by Asquith. LG resigned, but having the support of the Conservatives and the public applied more pressure to Asquith. So he, resigned. King George V, intervened and chose LG as prime minister. LG former a new coalition consisting of half the Liberals, Labour and the Conservatives.
The other half of the Liberals ‘Asquithians’ remained loyal to Asquith and formed their own opposition party.
Three ways the Liberal Party changed after the LG Liberal Vs Asquithian split.
- World War One completely rocked the Liberal Party. After 1922, the Liberals never secured office, other than in a coalition again. The war was the “rampant bus” that destroyed the party.
- The split remained evident after the war. People thought that LG worked too closely to Labour and Conservatives.
- The Maurice Debate of 1918: General Maurice was unhappy and complained that LG had misguided parliament about troop numbers at the Western Front. Significant because one Liberal faction had attacked the other. Too much bitterness to ever come to a compromise again.
The impact of War on the Liberal Party.
There was expectation that after the war had reached an end, the coalition would crumbled down.
Lloyd George only had the support of half a party. He was aiming to keep a coalition government going.
Deal with the Conservatives; the Cons were nervous about the new working class voters, due to their policies for middle class voters; so were keen to join with the Liberals.
The coalition between Conservatives and Liberals won the 1918 Election. However, the Conservatives were now the majority of the coalition.
The impact of the War on the Labour Party.
World War One led to a bad start for Labour. Macdonald resigned and Henderson took over as a new leader.
December 1916: made promises for Labour, for example post-War reconstruction: “homes fit for heroes” LG false promises.
1917: Stockholm Conference in Sweden - Henderson wanted to attend but LG declined and Henderson resigned.
Henderson after resignation, prepared Labour for an election. Sought the advice of the Webbs and established a new constitution in 1918, opened the membership to individuals and decided to publish their aims and policies.
Define ‘redistribution’.
Redistribution is increased taxation of the rich, or the wealthiest bracket in society, in order to pay for social welfare benefits for the disadvantaged working class.
Redistribution aims to close the inequality gap.
Labour post-War stood for their belief in redistribution.
