Final Exam: First World War

Question 1

Why was the First World War expected to be quick

Answer 1

Recent wars had been quick, and technological advance was over estimated

Question 2

Why did officers see change as unnecessary and problematic

Answer 2

there is an intellectual fear that the younger people in society are degenerating because they are lazy and unmotivated.

Question 3

How did the Bore War effect perception of younger generation

Answer 3

Many of those who volunteered for the war were rejected due to being deemed unfit.

Question 4

Why was civilization of Europe change willingness to fight

Answer 4

They would not want to give up their luxury, and would display no bravery, loyalty, and would not follow orders.

Question 5

What was Social Darwinism’s effect on perception of war?

Answer 5

Perpetuated idea that war was good for individuals and for nations.

Question 6

What Characteristics of a state are desirable for war?

Answer 6

committed, industrial, organized/ordered (hierarchical), and spirited.

Question 7

What was the Cult of The Offensive?

Answer 7

the idea that the army who strikes first and has the larger numbers and a bigger spirit will win.

Question 8

What were the 7 factors of the Cult of the Offensive?

Answer 8

1.New weapons (fire-power), 2. Lessons from the South African War, 3. Lessons from Russo-Japanese War, 4. High casualty rates, 5. Offensive Tactics, 6. Motivation of Solders (new kind of solder), 7. Offensive Spirit

Question 9

How did new weapons influence the Cult of the Offensive

Answer 9

newer and more deadly weapons were influencing the shape and makeup of the battlefield

Question 10

How did Lessons from the South African War influence the Cult of the Offensive

Answer 10

peasant farmers were killing the British highly trained troops

Question 11

How did Lessons from Russo-Japanese War influence the Cult of the Offensive

Answer 11

The Japanese were successful because they had the will to charge the Russian line. They had an offensive spirit and high morale. The lessons taken was that offensive spirit would overcome MG’s and barbed wire.

Question 12

How did perception of high casualty rates change with the Cult of the Offensive

Answer 12

high casualty rates should be expected in the next war. Military manuals begin to emphasis absorbing losses and move forward with will power

Question 13

How did offensive tactics change with the Cult of the Offensive

Answer 13

the idea was to attack in waves like the Japanese did. If you sent enough men, you would be able to get through.

Question 14

How did the Cult of the Offensive change the perception of solders

Answer 14

You have to create a new kind of soldier that is more disciplined (will unflinchingly obey orders) and individualist.

Question 15

How did disciplinarians influence idea of new soldier

Answer 15

Thought that modern society was weakening, and modern urban citizens would crack under the stresses of war. Must create rifle and flying clubs to prepare citizens for war

Question 16

How did individualists influence idea of new soldier

Answer 16

Wanted to take advantage of the inherent racial British trait for adventure and conquest

Question 17

How did offensive spirit influence Cult of the Offensive

Answer 17

Created idea that you must attack to win. Must have balance between human nature and morale

Question 18

What Napoleonic idea was further developed in WW1

Answer 18

abstract planning

Question 19

What are the Pillars of abstract planning

Answer 19

Railways and staff collages

Question 20

What was the most important aspect of Railway organization

Answer 20

Time tables

Question 21

What were staff collages

Answer 21

A school to teach officers how to think, not how to do

Question 22

How did Moltke improve the Prussian staff collage?

Answer 22

taught students to think like generals, wrote papers on invading other countries based on historical battles, and allowed students to ride with serving staff

Question 23

How did Wilhelm II start a two front war

Answer 23

He made an alliance with Italy and Austro-hungry, which scared Russia and France into joining their own alliance

Question 24

What is the Schliefen plan?

Answer 24

His idea was to pick the closest state that could mobilize the fastest (France or Russia). and preform a continental kesselschlacht. Belgium must be entered and break its neutrality. dDd not consider that Britian would enter the war if Belgium neutrality was broken

Question 25

Why did Ludendorff modify the Schlieffen plan?

Answer 25

Because Russia had recovered from Russo-Japanese war of 1907 faster than expected, and had developed better weapons and railways.

Question 26

What was the problem with the implementation of Schlieffen plan in 1914

Answer 26

Belgian forces resisted the Germans and gave French and British forces time to react

Question 27

What caused the stalemate on the western front between 1914 and 1916

Answer 27

The Cult of the Offensive failed, and defensive technology was found to give advantage over attackers. (Part of the failure of the Cult of the Offensive was that the Japanese tactic in the Russo-Japanese war only succeeded because Russia had a poor defense)

Question 28

What were technological innovations that occurred between 1916-1917

Answer 28

1. intense bombardment from larger artillery, 2. gas (Phosphene and Mustard), 3. Tank, 4. Airplane (First recon, then bomber), 5. Flamethrower

Question 29

What did Peace in 1919 do to germany

Answer 29

Forced Germany to give money to Belgium, France and Britian, as well as limit the size of German army

Question 30

What is the most powerful image of WW I

Answer 30

The Trenches

Question 31

What was the troop rotation for the British trenches

Answer 31

4 days in front trench, 4 days in support trench, 8 days in reserve trench, “rest” for the rest of the month

Question 32

What were common diseases and impacts trenches had

Answer 32

Trench foot, Lice, shell shock, suicide

Question 33

What were Frontline Tasks

Answer 33

Repair (barbed wire), Night patrol into no-man’s land, Trench raids (gather prisoners and info)

Question 34

What two battles cost the Germans the most

Answer 34

Somme and Verdun

Question 35

What was the German plan for 1918

Answer 35

Have a major battle to win the war. 1917 a year of transition

Question 36

What was Operation Albeirecht

Answer 36

Retreat to shorten line by 30miles, scorched earth while retreating, create defenses in depth

Question 37

What was defense in depth

Answer 37

create tank traps, funnels of barbed wire, and checkerboard pillboxes that would create kill zones, and slow down enemy

Question 38

Who institutionalized fighting, and believed the gap between defenses is where killing happens

Answer 38

Captain Herman Geyer

Question 39

Who believed artillery should be used to destroy roads and supply depots

Answer 39

Colonel George Bruchmuller

Question 40

Who created stormtrooper and strum battalian (1916-1918

Answer 40

Captain Willy Rohr

Question 41

What did stormtroopers do

Answer 41

attack and keep attacking (don’t stop and hold land)