Political Impact of WW1 Flashcards
WW1 & attitudes - context (7)
- 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
1915 coalition: what does DORA stand for?
Defence of the Realm Act
1915 coalition: when was DORA employed?
4 days following the outbreak on war, 8th Aug 1914
1915 coalition: what did DORA give the State?
unparalleled level of control over people’s lives
1915 coalition: why was the implementation of DORA more efficient?
DORA meant that gov could react quickly to crises w/o having to take longer route of getting Act of Parliament
1915 coalition: what was the legal basis for the huge extension of State power during war years?
DORA
1915 coalition: T/F DORA was not extended at various times during the war
FALSE
1915 coalition: 5 factors under DORA
- 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
1915 coalition: what happened to A and his gov by Apr-May 1915?
losing confidence from early supporters
1915 coalition: What factors contributed to A having no choice but to accept an all-party coalition? (6)
- 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
1915 coalition: what was the shell shortage?
crisis in production of ammunition, which was being used in massive quantities on WF; politicians and military men blamed for this
1915 coalition: What is the Western Front?
line formed from Belgium to Switzerland where German advance was halted in 1914
1915 coalition: define coalition
several political parties working together to form gov
1915 coalition: Gallipoli campaign facts
- 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.”
1915 coalition: when was MOM set up under DLG?
June 1915
1915 coalition: who replaced DLG at the Treasury?
Liberal Reginald McKenna
1915 coalition: what were many Libs unhappy about regarding gov’s position and what were they against the introduction of?
W/ the gov’s strong interference in civilian lives esp intro of conscription (Jan 1916); some believed State was threatening civil liberties through DORA
1915 coalition: why was Union of Democratic Control set up and when was it set up?
at start of war in order to bring about peace by negotiation
1915 coalition: what happened to the divisions in the Lib Party and when did they split up?
continued to widen and party split during Maurice Debate of 1918
1915 coalition: Maurice Debate (5)
- 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
DLG and Lib division: T/F DLG didn’t support idea of coalition
FALSE -
he did support idea of coalition as he had clear understanding of demands on home front
