Chapter 33 and 34 - Age of Anxiety Flashcards
What were aircrafts used for throughout the war?
Both sides used aircrafts. Initially, their main purpose was observation but pilots would later carry pistols and rifles. This was very ineffective. Subsequently, Germany used Zeppelins (blimps) to bomb the English coast. Finally, machines were mounted to the front of the cockpit and the planes would confront in battles known as dogfights. Additionally, airplanes were used for scouting and readjusting artillery.
What was the life of a pilot like?
Pilots (“Flying Aces”) were seen as the heroes of the period. However, more than half of all pilots killed were killed during their training. Pilots had a several weeks life expectancy which encompassed 50 hours of flight time.
Who was Baron Richthofen?
Baron Richthofen (Red Baron) painted his plane red and decorated the walls with the serial numbers of downed British aircraft. He crashed on his first flight and almost died. He had 80 kills.
When did the war end?
The war ended on the 11th hour of November 11th, 1918.
What were U-boats?
U-boats were German submarines that targeted merchant vessels and were, on average, about 10 miles per hour. Allies countered them with destroyers and convoys. (group of merchant ships protected by warships)
How did U-boats threaten the “Western Way of War” and “civilized warfare”?
Hiding underwater like submarines did was against the Western Way of War, which entails lining up on a battlefield and engaging in pitched battle. U-boats threatened civilized warfare because they targeted merchants, who are civilians.
What are tanks?
Tanks were partly developed as a response to trench warfare. The British were the first to bring them to the battlefield in 1918. The code name “tank” originated from its early days of being disguised as a vehicle to transport to water tanks. Tanks were basically armored cars but instead used tracks.
What were flamethrowers used for?
Flamethrowers were used to counter trench warfare but they would explode if they were ever shot.
What was the Battle on the Eastern Front like?
There was no natural border to prevent flanks. In August 1914, Russian armies pushed into eastern Germany but were defeated at Tannenburg because they lacked supplies.
What was the Dardanelles?
It was the strait connecting the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Russia utilized it for supplies coming in but it was eventually cut during the war.
What happened in the Battle of Gallipoli?
Turkish troops trapped Allies on the beach. By 1916, the Allies left with over 200,000 casualties.
What happened during the Armenian Genocide?
Turkish Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire tried to help Russia. They were seen as traitors and were marched out to the Syrian Desert where they would inevitably starve to death. The Ottoman Empire faced an Arab uprising in the Middle East. British troops led by T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) helped the Arabs gain some territory back. 1 to 1.5 million were killed by modern-day Turkey, who denies the event ever happening.
How did women contribute to the war effort?
Women worked in war manufacturing, nursing, food industry, driving, farming, etc.
What was the Lusitania?
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was sunk by German submarines. 1200 passengers were killed with 128 of which being Americans. United States President Woodrow Wilson threatened to cut diplomatic ties with Germany.
What was the Sussex Pledge?
It was a pledge created after the targeting of Sussex, a seaside English county. The pledge stated that passenger ships shall not be targeted, merchant ships shall not be sunk until the presence of weapons is verified, and that the civilian passengers of ships with concealed weapons should be provided food and lifeboats for their safety.
What happened in the Battle of the Somme?
The Battle of the Somme on the Western Front was a victory for the Allies, who suffered 600,000 (French + British) casualties. Their opponents, Germany, suffered 500,000. Previous battles were all stalemates. However, this was the point in which public opinion mostly turned against the war because so much blood was shed just for the Allies to advance 6 miles.
Why were both sides suffering from war fatigue?
Both sides were fatigued because of food shortages, number of lives lost, and their failure to win for the most part. Additionally, the Allies faced problems such as the Russian Revolution.
How did World War I impact Russia?
Initially, Russia was united and had a great nationalistic pride. Unfortunately, Russia’s resources were strained while at the same time suffering heavy casualties. By 1915, Russian soldiers lacked basic equipment. Tsar Nicholas II blamed their losses on the Russian generals and decided to lead troops himself just like Wilhelm II does. Nicholas had no military experience. He left his wife, Alexandra, and Gregory Rasputin in charge of domestic affairs.
Who was Rasputin?
Rasputin was left in charge of Russia’s domestic affairs while the current Tsar led troops. He was an illiterate peasant who was considered a “holy man” by Nicholas because Rasputin saved one of the Tsar’s dying sons with his alleged miraculous powers. Russian nobles killed Rasputin out of fear that his influence was becoming too great and because the government was weak at the time.
What was the March Revolution?
Amidst food and fuel shortages, protestors planned strikes at St. Petersburg. Troops refused to fire at the crowd and the Tsar eventually left the throne. Around this time, the Duma (a legislative body) was planning a constitution while the war continued.
What did early Russian revolutionaries do?
They set up soviets, which were councils of workers and soldiers. Initially, they wanted to work with the government in attempt to gain power and even the Duma itself. However, this did not happen. Early revolutionaries were succeeded by radical socialists known as the Bolsheviks. They were led by Lenin, who was helped by Leon Trotsky. The Bolsheviks wanted nothing to do with the Duma and took charge.
How did the views of Lenin and Marx differ?
Karl Marx believed that industrial working class would eventually overthrow capitalism. Lenin believed that an elite group would ignite the revolution. In his case that elite group was the Bolsheviks, meaning majority, who were the radical portion of the Russian Social Democratic Party.
Why did Germany help Lenin come back to Russia?
Lenin was helped by the Germany High Command because they sought a civil war in Russia.
