Chapter 2 Key Terms Flashcards
Central Powers (4)
German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria
Allies (5) (+2)
Countries against Germany during WWII:
- Britain, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- After 1941: U.S. and U.S.S.R.
Belgian neutrality and Germany
-What happened bro?
- Great Powers promised to remain neutral with Belgium
- Germany’s Schlieffen Plan: drive through Belgium to capture Paris, Triple Entente promised to protect France, and also not attack Belgium
Women and the war effort
-What did they get from this?
Women believed their contributions to the war effort should allow them to make decisions.
Women later received the right to vote
Sam Hughes
- What position?
- In charge of what?
- Minister of Militia
- In charge of Canada’s armament (military weapons and equipment) industry
- Poor administrator: Ministry of Militia was inefficient
Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
- Army of volunteers, basic training in Camp Valcartier in Quebec for 4 months, supported by Sam Hughes
- British expected CEF to be integrated into British units but instead, they fought independently (separate unit)
- Grew national identity and autonomy
Ross Rifle
- Shitty Canadian-made rifle provided by Hughes: always jammed
- Picked up Lee-Enfield rifles from dead soldiers instead
Internment Camp
Government-run camp detaining people who’re considered a threat
-In 1914, over 8500 recent German and Autro-Hungarians were held in isolation
Trench warfare
- Cold and damp in winter, flooded in heavy rains of France and Belgium
- Cesspools overrun by rats
- Disease spread, lice, trench foot
- Wounded would die on no man’s land because rescue was too dangerous
Nellie McClung (Suffragist) -Part of the... \_\_\_\_\_\_
-Suffragist: campaigned for women’s rights
-Part of Famous Five (Alberta women who fought for the political status of women)
-
British Declaration of War
Declares war on Germany to protect ally (France), leading to Canada into war as they are in the British Empire
French Canadian attitude to WWI
Had little appeal to fighting WW1 as they did not feel patriotism towards Britain as they were French
Women’s Suffrage
Women at home front believed their contribution to war effort should allow them to decide how the country would run
-Women received the right to vote (except for Aboriginal and immigrant)
Long range artillery
- Machine guns
- Planes equipped with machine guns and bombs
- 60-pounder gun was powerful and accurate (was heavy, commonly sunk into ground)
Tank
Sheltered soldiers from gunfire, crossing no man’s land, and drove through barbed wires that lined trenches.
- Solved trench warfare
- First used in Battle of the Somme to break German Lines
U-Boat
German submarine (Unterseeboot, under-sea-boat)
- Armed with torpedoes that sank large ships
- Attacked convoys of merchant ships and freighters carrying supplies to Britain
- Eventually captured by British
Gas Warfare
Germany first to use poison gas on battlefield
- Released clouds of chlorine gas at Ypres 1915
- Gas blinded and attacked respiratory system
- Defence: rags soaked in water/urine, anti-gas respirators/gas masks made poison gas less effective
Attrition
War of Attrition: military strategy based on exhausting enemy manpower and resources by heavy sacrifices.
Trench Foot
Turned feet swollen and black
Second Battle of Ypres (Belgium) 1915
- French and Canadians blinded, burned, or killed by German chlorine gas
- Battle lasted a month but neither side gained much advantage
- John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields” to commemorate Canadians serving in this battle
First Battle of the Somme (1916)
- Allies massive attack on German trenches near Somme River, France
- Failed attack: Allies shells did not destroy German defenses or barbed wire around trenches, marched on open fields and were shot down, heavy losses on first day (58,000 British)
- 5 Month Battle
- Captured only 13km land
- 1.25 million casualties, 24,000 Canadians, Royal Newfoundland Regiment lost 90% of men, all wounded/killed/badly shaken by slaughter
- Canadian troops distinguished themselves during battle and brought to lead assaults in major battles over course of WWI
Vimy Ridge (1914)
- German took control in 1914 (key position near Somme) as it contained a clear view of surroundings
- For two years, French and British forces tried to capture ridge but were unsuccessful
- Canadian troops lead new assault in 1916
- Was carefully planned
- Canadian Corps captured Hill 145 and took “the pimple” - last German position
- Losses significantly lower, Byng’s meticulous planning and training, Canadian professionalism and bravery paid off
- Marked first time Canadian divisions attacked together, brought national pride and reputation of being an elite fighting force
Passchendaele
Currie and CEF asked to break through German lines in Passchendaele in Belgium
- Earlier assault by Haig left massive shell craters which left muddy bogs
- Currie warned heavy casualties by Haig overruled him, causing 200,000 casualties
- Canadians captured victory, Allies only gained 7-8km, Germans soon recaptured town
100 days (Hundred Days Campaign)
Series of attacks by Allies
- Canada’s offensive were most successful and were led by General Currie
- Broke through German lines and won battles at Arras, Cambrai, and Valenciennes
Royal Newfoundland Regiment
(RNFLDR) - unit of Canadian army
“Bluebirds”
20 Australian civilian nurses and masseuse volunteered for service in France during WWI
-Nickname referred to colours of specially-designed uniforms
John McCrae
Lieutenant Colonel that wrote “In Flanders Fields”
Billy Bishop
Was a Canadian top ace (fighter pilot)
- Shot down 72 planes (second highest number of kills)
- First Canadian pilot awarded Victoria Cross (prestigious medal for bravery in Britain)
- His success led to his touring and promotion of war effort and selling of Victory Bonds
Arthur Currie (Senior Officer/Realtor)
- First Canadian appointed to command Canada’s troops
- Brought independence
Ace
Fighter Pilot that shot down five or more enemy aircraft
John McCrae (Lieutenant Colonel)
Lieutenant Colonel that wrote “In Flanders Fields”
Billy Bishop (Ace)
Was a Canadian top ace (fighter pilot)
- Shot down 72 planes (second highest number of kills)
- First Canadian pilot awarded Victoria Cross (prestigious medal for bravery in Britain)
- His success led to his touring and promotion of war effort and selling of Victory Bonds
Mont Blanc
French vessel carrying more than 2500 tonnes of explosives that accidentally hit another ship, causing a powerful explosion devastating Halifax;s harbour, leveled much of city, killed 2000 people, injured 9000, and thousands left homeless
Halifax Explosion
A powerful explosion caused by the Mont Blanc crashing into another ship, devastating Halifax;s harbour, leveled much of city, killed 2000 people, injured 9000, and thousands left homeless
Conscription Crisis
- Forced enlistment in armed forces of all fit men of certain ages
- Borden had to introduce the Military Service Act that would make enlistment compulsory due to the need in men for war
- Was controversial and emotional issue that divided country
Henri Bourassa
- Nationalist
- Believed that Canada had lost enough men and money to war
- Fought for Canada’s economy and political independence
- Also believed conscription would divide nation between Francophones (French-speaking) and Anglophones ( English-speaking) - he was right
Henri Bourassa (Nationalist)
- Believed that Canada had lost enough men and money to war
- Fought for Canada’s economy and political independence
- Also believed conscription would divide nation between Francophones (French-speaking) and Anglophones ( English-speaking) - he was right
Wilfrid Laurier
-Leader of the?
Liberal leader, French-Canadian
- Joined English Canadians in supporting British Empire
- Did not believe in conscription, didn’t join hands with PM Borden to form union between two parties
Robert Borden (Prime Minister, Teacher, Lawyer)
- War of Measures Act (1914, WWI)
- Income tax -temporary measure
- Conscription, passed Military Service Act
- Won khaki election by passing Military Voters Act and Wartime Elections Act
- Sent federal troops to break up Winnipeg General Strike (1919)
- Won Canada’s place in League of Nations
- Led Canadian delegation at Paris Peace Conference in 1919
- Fought for Canada to sign the Treaty of Versailles
Khaki Election (1917)
Name of 1917 federal election because of Borden’s efforts to win military vote
- Military Voters Act : men and women overseas could vote
- Wartime Elections Act: All Canadian women related to servicemen could vote (Rejected conscientious objectors and immigrants from enemy country of 15 years)
- Union Government:coalition of Conservatives and some Liberals
Aboriginal enlistment
Canadian forces did not accept them but took volunteers. Very few were promoted.
Merchant Marine
Civilian ships and sailors that transported food, weapons, and munitions
-Many lost lives because they were attacked while crossing the Atlantic
Income Tax
- Tax on personal income (1-15%)
- Supposed to be temporary
Military Voters’ Act
Allowed men and women serving overseas to vote
Wartime Elections’
- Allowed women related to servicemen to vote
- Cancelled vote for conscientious objectors and immigrants from enemy countries
Union Government
Coalition government formed by Conservatives and some Liberals that governed Canada from 1917-1920
The Armistice November 11, 1918
Agreement by warring parties to end hostilities - truce to end war signed in France at 5:00 a.m. on Nov 11, 1918
Paris Peace Talks
Lasted for 6 months and resulted in treaties that defined new borders and compensation for losses suffered during war.
- more than 30 countries attended
- Germany and allies not allowed to participate
- Russia not invited because they already negotiated the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in 1918
Treaty of Versailles
Document that laid terms of peace between Germany and the Allies
-Supposed to emphasize forgiveness and future international cooperation but others wanted Germany to pay for damage
Terms in agreement:
-Germany agree to War Guilt Clause- accept sole responsibility for causing war
-Germany territory reduced
-Germany pay war reparations ($30 billion)
-Germany army restricted to 100,000 men, surrender navy, merchant fleet, no air force
-Austria and Germany forbidden to unite
War guilt clause
the article in the Treaty of Versailles that made Germany responsible for starting WWI
