c1900 - Present - Impact Of Modern Developments

Question 1

Machine guns pros and cons

Answer 1

Were clumsy, needed teams of men to cool them down however they were very effective in defence and could fire 600 rounds/min

Question 2

Impact of Chemical weapons

Answer 2

146 chemical attacks in ww1, using chlorine, phosgene and mustard gas however now, most nations have agreed not to use chemical weapons

Question 3

Impact of Nuclear weapons

Answer 3

1945: atom bomb revolutionised power of bombing
1950-60s: nuclear arms race between us and ussr threatened MAD

Question 4

Developments of Aircraft

Answer 4

British Flying Corps had 63 aircraft in 1914, 22000 by 1918; played key role as mobile artillery, providing mobility and offence.

Question 5

Impact of developments in Transport in 1914:

Answer 5

• 1914 - germans moved troops by train for surprised attacks. Over 2 million men and 600000 horses out-manoevure french and advance 300km

Question 6

Surveillance

Answer 6

artificial satellites were used to:

• spot enemy forces and identify targets
• predict weather conditions
• photograph impact of attacks
• communication systems

Question 7

21st century guerilla warfare

Answer 7

Used by weaker forces against occupying troops in more powerful nations - they used hit and run raids instead of open battles

Question 8

Impact of developments in transport in 1918, 1940 and 1945

Answer 8

• 1918 - motorised transport introduced e.g. trucks. British army now has 55000 trucks
• 1940 - aircraft parachute troops behind enemy lines, vehicles transport infantry into areas seized by tanks
• 1944 - air support; allies created the ‘cab rank’ system allowing infantry to call quick air strikes to weaken resistance

Question 9

Impact of transport- examples

Answer 9

• train
• motorised transport
• aircraft
• air support

Question 10

Developments of weaponry- examples

Answer 10

Machine guns
Tanks
Chemical weapons
Nuclear weapons
Aircraft

Question 11

How is surveillance used now?

Answer 11

to guide inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and bombs dropped from ‘stealth’ aircraft, fighter jets and drones. ‘Smart’ bombs are 10 times more accurate than conventional bombs.

Question 12

High Tech Warfare

Answer 12

Computerised high-tech weapons are having a significant impact.
-They are used to attack from thousands of kilometres away (they are followed by infantry). -Troops are supported by tanks, jets, attack helicopters and mobile artillery
-Battles are coordinated via radio communication and satellite surveillance