Key Words Flashcards
What are sources in historical study?
Materials or objects which historians use as evidence to discover the past, e.g., photographs, diaries, and artefacts.
Sources provide insights into historical events and contexts.
What does it mean to analyze a source?
To examine the information in a source about what it can tell or show us.
This involves critical thinking to assess the reliability and significance of the source.
What is a Pals Battalion?
Battalions of men who enlisted to join WWI together, often from the same local community, sports club, or workplace.
This approach aimed to boost morale and ensure that communities fought together.
Define ‘front’ in a military context.
A zone of fighting; e.g., the Western Front was the zone of fighting in Belgium and France against Germany.
The Eastern Front was between Germany and Russia.
Who were Colonial Soldiers?
Soldiers who came from the British and French empires to fight in Europe on the Western Front.
They played a significant role in the war effort but often faced different challenges than European soldiers.
What is plastic surgery in the context of war?
Advances in medicine where surgeons repaired missing or damaged skin.
This was particularly important for soldiers who sustained severe injuries.
What is conscription?
The legal requirement to join the armed forces.
This practice was used by many countries during WWI to ensure adequate troop numbers.
Describe attrition in military strategy.
The attempt to win a war by wearing down the enemy so they give up the will to continue fighting.
This strategy often leads to prolonged conflicts with high casualties.
What is shell shock?
The condition of being psychologically disturbed due to the experience of war.
This term is now often referred to as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
What is trench foot?
Painful condition in the feet where the skin would decompose due to standing in cold muddy water.
This was a common ailment for soldiers in the trenches during WWI.
