Era of The Great War Flashcards
Why Did Men Sign up to WW1?
Pal’s battalions
- Told they could sign up with their friends
Thought it would be over by Christmas
Felt it was their marital duty
- Scotland had a reputation of fierce and loyal fighters
The wages appealed to them
- Many men were in debt and saw the war as a way to get out of poverty
Propaganda
Saw it as a good way to travel
- Many men had never left their country and thought they would be able to see the world
Trench Life - Daytime Work
Repairing damaged sections of trenches
Filling sandbags
Cleaning weapons
Morning hate
Trench Life - Nighttime Work
On lookout
Trench Life - Diseases and Medicines
Typhus, chlorera, dysentry all from germs in food and water
Lack of medicine
Daily medical check
Difficulties Faced on the Frontline
Rats eating soldiers as they slept
Drinking water from petrol cans
Having little food or water
Dead bodies all around you
Developing trench foot
Having to drink water off of dead soldiers
Battle of the Somme
Soldiers were given the wrong information; this meant they could not break the barbed wire
Soldiers carried too much equipment and this slowed them down
Guns were too old and the shells didnt work
Weather impacted the aircraft and they couldnt locate German artillery
The Germans were ready to attack
Defence of the Realm Act
Gave the government emergency powers if it was helpful to the war effort
Removed many civil liberties
Workers fired for going on strike
Allowed government to make any restrictions without passing legislation
Prevented the enemy getting any information
Why Rationing was Introduced
Government was worried the rich would stockpile
2/3rds of food came from overseas
People began to queue outside of shops
Food became expensive
Shortage of workers producing food as they were all at war
Less food was arriving due to u-boat attacks
Women’s Occupations During the War
Mechanic
Engineering and making munitions
Policewoman
Worked on planes as mechanics in the Women’s Royal Air Force
Government employees in offices
Changing Role of Women
New found freedom
Going places unaccompanied
Given increased wages
Gained respect from men due to their efforts
Why was Propaganda Important
Kept morale high at home
Portrayed the enemy as evil
To recruit soldiers
To dishearten enemy troops
To give civilians a government approved version of war
To encourage civilians to save food
Methods of Propaganda
Postcards
Children
Books
Films
Nursery rhymes
Leaflets
Reserved Occupations
Farmers
Miners
Teachers
Doctors
Engineers
Fishermen
Methods of Suffragettes
Blowing up post boxes
Setting racecourses on fire
Riots
Hunger strikes
Attacked politicians
Blowed roof off parliament
Rent Strikes
Lady Barbra led strikes
Someone would be on lookout for bailiffs
Took landlords to court
Women refused to pay new rent prices
Rent collectors began to try and intimidate women
Government imposed the Rent Restriction Act which froze rent at pre war price
