Canada and WW1 Flashcards
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What caused the Great Powers to expand their territories?
(this is one of the causes of WW1)
Industrialization drove the Great Powers, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, to expand their territories.
What is Imperialism?
The policy of one nation acquiring, controlling, or dominating another country or region.
Why were the great powers so prepared to engage in war?
Because since the 15th century, many powerful countries practiced imperialism. By establishing colonies all over the world to create empires.
At the beginning of the 20th century which country was still struggling to establish itself?
Germany was struggling to establish itself as an imperial power.
What is militarism?
A nation’s policy of enlisting, training, equipping, and maintaining armed forces ready for war.
How did the Great Powers use militarism before WW1?
As they expanded their empires, the Great Powers developed their military resources to protect their interests and intimidate each other. They glamorized their armed forces, and the size of their armies and navies became essential to national prestige.
War was seen as an acceptable way to resolve conflicts.
At the beginning of the 20th century what was happening between Britain and Germany regarding the navy?
Britain had created the largest navy in the world and so Germany decided to become one of the major powers in Europe it needed to be able to match Britain’s naval strength. Then Britain also increased their navy and so on. This fight for the biggest military force cause France to also build up its military to be able to stay in power.
What was Balkans?
Balkans was geographic region in southeaster Europe which 3 different empires were fighting for (Russia, Austria-Hungary, Ottomans).
What is an alliance?
a union or agreement among groups working toward a common goal
What is the Triple Alliance?
the alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy prior to the First World War. HOWEVER Italy did not follow the triple alliance to war it switched to the triple entente.
What is the Triple Entente?
The alliance of France, Britain, and Russia before WW1. Also know as the Allies
What is nationalism?
devotion to and support of one’s culture and nation, sometimes resulting in the promotion of independence
What was the Black Hand?
a terrorist group of Bosnian Serbs that was determined to free Bosnia from Austria-Hungary (a group willing to fight for their nationalist goals). Killed Archduke Ferdinand and his wife.
What is the problem with forming alliances?
Results in a larger war. Because Allies promised to protect one another so if anyone of them is involved in conflict all the allies would fight.
What assassination helped start WW1?
The assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife by the Black Hand.
How did all the countries become involved in WW1?
- Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and gave them and ultimatum.
- Serbia didn’t agree and declared war.
- Russia announces its mobilization (countries demand that Russia stop, but they don’t).
- Germany declares war on Russia.
- Germany then declares war on France.
- Then Britain declares war on Germany (Canada automatically in).
At the beginning of the war, what was the attitude in Canada?
Canadians were enthusiastic and felt the need to defend their mother country. Many volunteers. Aboriginal peoples were not accept and Canadians were reluctant to take African and Japanese Canadians.
Who was the Sam Hughes?
The minister of militia. Responsible for training and supplying everything for the troops. Poor administrator.
What was the Canadian army called?
Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CEF)
What was the Canadian rifle?
The ross rifle. Canadians hated it because it jammed so they picked up the Lee Enfield rifles from dead british soldiers.
What is the War Measures Act?
An Act that gives the federal government emergency powers during wartime, including the right to detain people without laying charges.
When was the War Measures Act introduced?
1914 by Prime Minister Borden
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
Germany’s plan to stage a two front war with Russia in the east and France in the west. Ended up not working.
What were the conditions in the trenches?
Trenches were cold and damp nad often flooded. Many rats. Men spent weeks in the trenches.
What was an issue of the new weapons?
Commanders failed to understand how the new technologies demanded new tactics.
What is war of attrition?
A military strategy based on exhausting the enemy’s manpower and resources before your s are exhausted, usually involving great losses on both sides. Later on soldiers were protected by armoured tanks when crossing no mans land.
What happened on April 22, 1915?
The Second Battle of Ypres. Germans used chlorine gas, which killed many. Battle continued for a month.
Describe the Battle of the Somme.
July 1916. The Allies launched a massive attack against a line of German trenches near the Somme River in France. Attack failed. Lasted 5 months. Minimum achievment (allies got 13 km) both sides suffered heavy losses.
Describe the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
- Germans took control of Vimy Ridge. For more than two years, both French and British forces tried to capture the ridge but were unsuccessful. Significant because Canada had gained a lot of ground, taken more prisoners, and captured more artillery than any previous British offensive in the entire war. Lieutenant General Julian Byng planned attack.
What was Passchendaele?
In 1917 were asked to break through German lines and retake the town of Passchendaele in Belgium. Germans soon recaptured the town.
