Fighting WWI

Question 1

Russia’s reaction to the start of WWI

Answer 1

. Accepted Austrians right for inquiry into assassination - not ready to tolerate destruction of Serbia and Austro-Hungarian domination of Balkans
. 28th July, Russian government ordered mobilisation of some military districts
. 2 days later - turned into full mobilisation
. Heightened tensions - take at least 6 weeks before Russian army would be ready

Question 2

Germany’s reaction to beginning of WWI

Answer 2

. Russia mobilisation made German mobilisation inevitable given the Schlieffen plan depended on defeat of the French before Russian army was fully ready
. Little option but to act quickly
. 31st July dispatched ultimatum to Russia to stop mobilisation within 12 hours or Germany would fully mobilise - when it expired Germany declared war on Russia
. Holweg: Germany was only acting defensively against Russia

Question 3

France’s reaction to beginning of WWI

Answer 3

. Confused, taken precaution of recalling soldiers from leave
. 1st August mobilisation started
. German ambassador instructed to ask what France’s attitude would be to a Russo-German war
. If neutral would have to surrender 2 fortresses to Germany as pledge of good faith
. Dual alliance bound France to help Russia
. Germany couldn’t wait for France to declare war (Schlieffen plan)
. 2nd August, sent an ultimatum to Belgium demanding free passage - rejected, next day Germany advanced and war declared on France

Question 4

Great Britain’s reaction to beginning of WWI

Answer 4

. 27th July suggested conference in London to discuss crisis
^Italians and French agreed but Germans argues only direct Austro-Russian negotiations could solve the problem
. Germany declaring war on Russia put pressure on Britain - Germany tried to persuade them to stay neutral
. German violation of Belgium 4th August is what persuaded Britain
. Ultimatum sent to Berlin at 2pm, when expired at midnight Britain was at war with Germany

Question 5

Italy’s reaction to beginning of WWI

Answer 5

. Despite being a part of the triple alliance, refused to align with Germany and Austria-Hungary
. Little public support for Austria, viewed as ‘traditional enemy’
. Vunerable coastlines to Britain and France
. Army needed to be re-equipped after recent war
. Didn’t rule out eventual entry to either side if offered sufficient territorial rewards.

Question 6

Failure of German Generals

Answer 6

. At first (Under command of Von Moltne) Germany made good progress
^ Got through Belgium and Luxembourg and into northern France
. Russians advanced into east Prussia - required some forces to leave France to Prussia (defeated by Hindenburg)
. Absence on the western front
. End of Aug 1914 French had slowed down German advance, counter attacked on 6th Sep and forced Germany to retreat behind river Aisne
. German attempts to outflank allies in France and Belgium failed after being halted in 1st Battle of Ypres (Nov)
. Russians still able to invade Austria

Question 7

Japan declaring war on Germany
(August 1914)

Answer 7

. Wanted to capture German territory in Shantung and German Pacific Islanders
. Japan refused to send troops to Western front but navy helped Britain to ensure security on Pacific ocean
. Primary interest = strengthen its hold on China

Question 8

Turkey joining the central powers (Oct 1914)

Answer 8

. Both Germans and Allies attempted to secure Turkish support, Germans outbid
^ Promising support for Turkish annexation of Russian border territory
. Britain refused to hand over 2 Turkish warships which was constructed in British dockyards
. Declared war on the entente powers - direct threat to Britains position in Egypt

Question 9

Italy abandoning neutrality (May 1915)

Answer 9

. Throughout winter of 1914 negotiated with central powers and allies to gain max concessions for abandoning neutrality
. Entered the war on allied side
^ By Treaty of London promised Austrian territories, half Dalmation coastline and territory in Africa/Middle East

Question 10

War in Africa

Answer 10

. With Germany unable to send reinforcements as result of British naval power
^ German colonies in Africa quickly seized by Allied forces

Question 11

Battle of Verdun (1916 )

Answer 11

. French repulsed major German offensive to try and take Verdun
. General Petain took over defensive of Verdun and
. French General Joffere knew loss of Verdun would impact French morale
> French casualties: 400,000
> German casualties: 350,000
. Germany deluged in shells 2m from Verdun after stopping in their advancement

Question 12

Battle of the Somme (1916)

Answer 12

. Almost 1.3 million killed/wounded
. General Haig commander of British troops - first Franco-british offensive
. 100,000 British soldiers marched into no-mans land and cut down by German machine guns
^ within hours 20,000 dead and 35,000 wounded
. Allied losses double those of the enemy (Germany)
. 1st tank used on western front - almost useless
. Ended due to snow/sleet made fighting impossible
Britain/France lost = 673,000 men
Germany lost = 660,000

Question 13

Battle of Nueve Chapelle (1915)

Answer 13

. First large scale organised attack by British army
. Nueve Chapelle was to form initial target of assault, French intended to capture Aubers and press German defence
. Haig’s first army led the attack, more shells discharged in the 35min bombardment than whole Boer War
. With carefully co-ordinated attack British made inital progress and broke through at Nueve Chapelle
. Supply and communication problems began to hinder Haig
^ British still managed to hold their gains
. Allied casualties = 11,200 (7000 British, 4200 Indians)
German casualties roughly similar, although 1200 German troops captured by British

Question 14

Factors breaking the Stalemate (1918)
Stalemate = neither side is going to win

Answer 14

.Collapse of German allies = Austrians under more pressure from Italy

. US Involvement = US joined supporting Britain and France

. Failure of German Offensives = men don’t talk to eachother

. Use of tech = Britain (battle of Somme)

. Collapse in German morale = realised they were going to lose

. Superior British forces = had good allies and better military force/navy

. Problems on the home front = Germany was struggling: hyperinflation, people barely had any food

Question 15

When did Germany realise they were losing the war ?

Answer 15

. By Sep 1918 Germans were in full retreat on Western front
. Austrians coming under more pressure from Italian forces
. 28th Sep 1918: Hindenburg had to concede defeat

Question 16

How did Germany try and ensure USA looked favourably on Germany ?

Answer 16

. Advised kaiser to form new Parliamentary Gov - impress President Wilson with its democratic credentials
^ Facilitate negotiations of an armstice on basis of 14 points on Feb 1918
^ Wilson proclaimed USA wanted a peace of ‘no annexations, no contributions, no punitive damages’

Question 17

German armstice (Nov 11th 1918)

Answer 17

. Germany to evacuate all occupied territory, withdraw beyond 10km wide neutral zone to east of Rhine
. Germany to surrender 5000 pieces of light and heavy artillery and 1700 aeroplanes
. Allied troops to occupy west of Rhine
. German navy to be in either a neutral or British port

Question 18

Treaty of London

Answer 18

Secret agreement signed by Italy, Britain, France and Russia in April 1915 bringing Italy into WWI on Entente side