Political Impact of WW1

Question 1

WW1 & attitudes - context (7)

Answer 1

• broke out 4th Aug 1914
• initially thought it would end by Christmas
• patriotic stance; B society more united in face of common enemy; possibility of civil war gone
• had been more focused on navy rather than army (A-G Naval Race) so were less prepared for war beginning
• British army compromised about 100,000 professional soldiers aka British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
• technological advancements led to new weaponry causing huge devastation and stalemate
• after Nov 1914: front line was not to move by 10 miles in any direction for next 3 years

Question 2

1915 coalition: what does DORA stand for?

Answer 2

Defence of the Realm Act

Question 3

1915 coalition: when was DORA employed?

Answer 3

4 days following the outbreak on war, 8th Aug 1914

Question 4

1915 coalition: what did DORA give the State?

Answer 4

unparalleled level of control over people’s lives

Question 5

1915 coalition: why was the implementation of DORA more efficient?

Answer 5

DORA meant that gov could react quickly to crises w/o having to take longer route of getting Act of Parliament

Question 6

1915 coalition: what was the legal basis for the huge extension of State power during war years?

Answer 6

DORA

Question 7

1915 coalition: T/F DORA was not extended at various times during the war

Answer 7

FALSE

Question 8

1915 coalition: 5 factors under DORA

Answer 8

• control of info: tighter censorship controls and measures vs spying
• protection of important centers of communication eg docks, railways etc
• food rationing
• regulation of opening times for pubs
• increased powers to detain ppl w/o trial

Question 9

1915 coalition: what happened to A and his gov by Apr-May 1915?

Answer 9

losing confidence from early supporters

Question 10

1915 coalition: What factors contributed to A having no choice but to accept an all-party coalition? (6)

Answer 10

• evident that war would last long time
• realisation that ‘home front’ was as important as front line in F
• shortage of men
• needed more weapons
• failed Gallipoli campaign
• scandal over shell shortage on Western Front

Question 11

1915 coalition: what was the shell shortage?

Answer 11

crisis in production of ammunition, which was being used in massive quantities on WF; politicians and military men blamed for this

Question 12

1915 coalition: What is the Western Front?

Answer 12

line formed from Belgium to Switzerland where German advance was halted in 1914

Question 13

1915 coalition: define coalition

Answer 13

several political parties working together to form gov

Question 14

1915 coalition: Gallipoli campaign facts

Answer 14

• Allied attack on the Gallipoli peninsula during World War I.
• April 25th 1915 - January 9th 1916
• The British historian A.J.P. Taylor: “The Gallipoli expedition was a terrible example of an ingenious strategical idea carried through after inadequate preparation and with inadequate drive.”

Question 15

1915 coalition: when was MOM set up under DLG?

Answer 15

June 1915

Question 16

1915 coalition: who replaced DLG at the Treasury?

Answer 16

Liberal Reginald McKenna

Question 17

1915 coalition: what were many Libs unhappy about regarding gov’s position and what were they against the introduction of?

Answer 17

W/ the gov’s strong interference in civilian lives esp intro of conscription (Jan 1916); some believed State was threatening civil liberties through DORA

Question 18

1915 coalition: why was Union of Democratic Control set up and when was it set up?

Answer 18

at start of war in order to bring about peace by negotiation

Question 19

1915 coalition: what happened to the divisions in the Lib Party and when did they split up?

Answer 19

continued to widen and party split during Maurice Debate of 1918

Question 20

1915 coalition: Maurice Debate (5)

Answer 20

• Feb 1918
• arose out of letter to the Times newspaper by General Maurice (former Director of Military Operations)
• letter claimed that gov had lied about strength of B army in F in 1918
• letter came at time when G forces seemed about to break Allied lines
• divided Lib Party

Question 21

DLG and Lib division: T/F DLG didn’t support idea of coalition

Answer 21

FALSE -

he did support idea of coalition as he had clear understanding of demands on home front