Britain at war 1914-1918 Flashcards
Who was in the Triple Entente?
Great Britain, France, Russia
Who was in the Triple Alliance?
Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy (Orginally)
When was WW1 declared?
4th of August 1914
What type of war was WW1?
A total war
Why was an “Anti German feeling” building in Britain?
Germany was challenging GB militarily and economically.
What effect did the Anti German feeling have?
Germans were portrayed as antagonists in literature, and propaganda used stories of the a Germans committing atrocities against Belgian civilians. This led to people being pro war.
In what ways did people show support for the war?
Workers stopped their disputes, suffragettes stopped their campaigns, and men joined up “pals battalions”.
What was and how did The Schlieffen Plan contribute to the beginning of WW1? (GB’s involvement)
Germany was facing a war in two fronts, France and Russia, The schlieffen plan was a surprise attack on France by invading Belgium, the aim was to take out one front if the things began to get tense, and on the verge of war. GB declared war on Germany after they launched the Schlieffen plan and invaded Belgium.
How did the assassination of Archduke Frank Ferdinand contribute to the beginning of WW1?
A group of Serbian Terrorists, “The Blackhand Gang” assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the air to the Austrian Throne, Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia opposed this and therefore declared war on Austria Hungary.
What were some of the attitudes against the war effort?
Some religious groups such as the Quakers opposed war on principle (pacifists).
Germany was seen to be a major component of European Culture not an militaristic menace.
Politics Leaders who opposed the war such as Ramsey Macdonald (Labour Leader) lost their positions, Labour were spilt on the war as socialists believed it was a war between the rich and that the Germans were exploited workers.
The was was not seen as a heroic war but industrial.
As the war went on, people’s attitudes began to change, why was this?
The war has a high casualty rate, and
was supposed to be over by Christmas however once it was clear the war would not be short or easy, people lost faith.
What did DORA do?
The Defence of the Realms Act, introduced four days after the war increased powers of the state over its people.
What are some examples of some things DORA introduced?
Rationing 1918 on sugar, meat, butter, jam & tea.
Censorship on press, letters, radios, newspapers etc.
Conscription 1916
Military Service Act 1916 - meant single men age 18-41 had to join the war, this was later extended to married men also.
The government took control of big industries such as coal, mining, railways.
British summer time introduced
What were some negative impacts on living conditions due to the war?
German U-boasts sunk 1 in 4 British Merchant ships bringing in food and war supplies from Canada and the US. This caused a food crisis which was deepened in 1917 due to the lack of workers and production as men were at war.
Widespread of child Labour.
Long hours at work caused poor health.
Middle class suffered from tax rises and poor profits, upper class suffered from land tax. The death rates of middle and upper class were higher as many of the working class were too unfit to go to war.
What were some examples of positive effects on living standards?
More job opportunities, and women were able to do men’s jobs.
As men were at war families had fewer mouths to feed so living costs decreased.
Wages increased
