The Era of the Great War, 1900–1928

Question 1

Military Recruitment

Answer 1

• Short War Theory (war would be finished before Christmas).
• Pals Battalion (specially constituted battalions of the British Army comprising men who had enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours, and colleagues).
• Recruitment Campaigns (August 1914, Lord Kitchener, the war minister, immediately began a recruiting campaign by calling for men aged between 19 and 30 to join the British Army. At first this was successful with an average of 33,000 men joining every day. Three weeks later Kitchener raised the recruiting age to 35 and by the middle of September over 500,000 men had volunteered their services).
• Peer Group Pressure and Patriotism (It was seen partly as a civic duty to join up, but also many men saw their friends, neighbours and work colleagues enlist influencing them to join too. Many were caught in the ‘romance’ of war and the opportunity to be comrades at arms and experience adventure with their peers).
• Propaganda (Government propaganda during WW1 portrayed the German people as being evil, for example exaggerating the way that Germans treated women and children. One poster claimed that German soldiers attacked nuns. Another poster claimed that allied soldiers had been crucified by Germans).
• White Feather Movement (Men were given a white feather within their communities as a sign of cowardice if they did not volunteer, so many joined up to avoid feeling guilt and shame).

Question 2

Life in the Trenches

Answer 2

• Diseases – Soldiers experienced trench foot, trench fever, typhoid, and dysentery. Often illnesses were recurring especially trench fever.
• Danger/Fear of Death – The constant shelling resulted in shell shock and soldiers were always on edge that any day might be their last.
• Shell Shock – The constant noise of explosions and fear of death but shell – fire caused some men to suffer a form of nervous breakdown known as ‘shell shock.’
• Pests – Particularly rats which would steal food, cause discomfort, and spread disease. Lice would remain in the pleats of Scottish men’s kilts.
• Monotony – Routine boredom was problematic (12 million letters were written home each week).
• Waterlogged Trenches – Feet being continually submerged in water led to trench foot and many soldiers faced amputation.

Question 3

Military Tactics and Technology of War: Machine Guns

Answer 3

• Emerged as new military technology during WW1
• Casualty rate was much higher than that of regular rifles/the machine gun had the capability to fire 400 – 600 rounds per minute
• Had a longer range than regular rifles/the use of cross fire made it deadly
• Was most effective defensive weapon in trenches but required up to 4 men to transport across land
• Were unreliable due to the barrel overheating and jamming

Question 4

Military Tactics and Technology of War: Tanks

Answer 4

• Were also relatively innovative technology during WW1. First use of tanks on the battlefield was the use of British Mark I tanks as the Battle of Somme in September 1916
• Destroyed barbed wire defences/crossed uninhabited land easily
• Bullet – proof/shielded infantry during an attack on enemy trenches
• Terribly slow (4mph/6kmh)/often got stuck in the mud or broke down
• Brought some military success, e.g. in the Battle of Cambrai 1916

Question 5

Military Tactics and Technology of War: Gas

Answer 5

• Chlorine gas was used causing lung damage and led to a slow and painful death
• Phosgene gas destroying the lungs whilst being invisible and hard to detect
• Mustard gas blistering the skin and caused blindness
• Gas was often ineffective as its impact was weather dependent (high winds could blow the gas back to their own infantry)
• Became a less effective weapon when gas masks were developed to protect soldiers

Question 6

Military Tactics and Technology of War: Artillery

Answer 6

• Artillery such as howitzers and mortars killed/wounded most men from long range
• Use of artillery caused over 60% of deaths on the battlefield during WWI
• Constant noise of explosions and fear of death by shell – fire caused some men to suffer a form of nervous breakdown known as ‘shell shock’

Question 7

Military Tactics and Technology of War: Rifle

Answer 7

• Crucial ever – present infantry/useful due to its mobility when the soldiers were attacking

Question 8

Military Tactics and Technology of War: Airplanes

Answer 8

• Were used in reconnaissance (spying) and bombing enemy trenches
• Fighter planes were fitted with machine guns
• Battles between Allied and German fighter planes (known as ‘dog fights’) became legendary and had an influence on the morale of soldiers in the trenches

Question 9

Defence of the Realm Act (DORA… the explorer)

Answer 9

The Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) was passed in the UK on August 8th 1914, 4 days after it entered the First World War. It gave the government unprecedented powers to intervene in people’s lives:

1. Control of Industry – Government was empowered to take over any factory or workshop as part of the War effort.
2. Strikes – People were prevented from striking for better working conditions/pay.
3. Censorship – There was government censorship of the press and private correspondence that related to the war.
4. Alcohol – Restrictions were put on alcohol e.g. buying rounds, pub opening hours, watering down of alcohol.
5. Blackouts and Curfews – Blackouts made it dangerous to get around at night and the government introduced curfews to restrict the movement of people during certain hours.
6. Pigeon Fanciers – Pigeon fanciers had to have a licence to keep their birds (suspicion that they might be carrying message to enemies).
7. Restricted Goods – People were not allowed to fly kites or buy binoculars.
8. Land – Government took control of land to turn it over to food production.
9. Railways and Docks – There were restrictions on movement around railways and docks.
10. Rationing – Limits were imposed on certain items of food, fuel and household items that could be bought.
11. Conscription – As war progressed it became a legal requirement for individuals of a certain age to sign up for military service.
12. Breaking Restrictions – People could be fined/arrested/imprisoned for breaking the terms of DORA.

Question 10

Rationing

Answer 10

• As the war progressed, food became more scarce and rationing was introduce in December 1917 to ensure that everyone received an equal share.
• Rationing meant that people were only allowed certain amounts of sugar, meat, flour, butter, and milk.
• People were encouraged to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
• Public gardens and parks were adapted to grow food.
• Ration cards were issued to record the amount of food issued.
• Some foods were available on the ‘black market’ (where rationed good were sold illegally).

Question 11

Women Completing ‘Men’s Work’

Answer 11

• With men away fighting at the front, women were employed to fill the shortages in ‘men’s work.’
• Many worked long hours in munitions factories and were producing 80% of the shells being sent to the Western Front by 1918.
• Women were also employed in some service industries such as transport, teaching and administration.
• Women employment rates increased during WWI, from 23.6% of the working age population in 1914 to 46.7% in 1918.

Question 12

Social Changes Affecting Women

Answer 12

• Greater freedom – women were able to socialise more and it became more acceptable for women to visit pubs and smoke in public.
• Changes in appearance were made necessary by war work for example, wearing trousers and having short hair became fashionable.
• Increased independence – whilst women were still paid less than men, they were able to gain modest wage rises which allowed them more financial independence and increased their social mobility.
• Loss and grief – many women suffered great loss becoming widows with the burden of caring for their families whilst grieving.

Question 13

Suffrage Campaigns Suspension

Answer 13

• Women who had been campaigning for the right to vote turned their attentions to campaigning for the right to be part of the war effort to feel that they were ‘doing their bit.’
• From 1916 onwards, women could join the WRNS doing clerical work that was previously done by men.

Question 14

Land Army

Answer 14

• Land Army was created in 1915 by the Board of Agriculture during WW1 so women could work in agriculture, replacing men called up to the military.
• Women who worked for the WLA were commonly known as Land Girls.
• Around 250,000 women worked on the ‘Land Army’ ensuring that the country remained fed whilst the Germans were bombing merchant ships in the Atlantic.

Question 15

Impact of Men Returning from War

Answer 15

• With women working in the factories, many men worried about the threat to their wages and status. It was agreed that women could only be trained to a semi-skilled level and had to work under supervision.
• The Restoration of Pre-War Practices Act meant the returning soldiers were given their old jobs back. After the war, over 25% of all working women were back in domestic service – childminding and housework.

Question 16

War Propaganda

Answer 16

• UK Government and media propaganda during WW1 portrayed the German people as being evil, for example by fabricating untrue stories about how badly Germans treated civilians.
• One propaganda poster claimed that German soldiers attacked nuns. Another claimed that allied soldiers had been crucified by Germans.
• The main aim of propaganda was to promote strong anti-German feelings and feelings of patriotism amongst UK citizens.
• Politicians and the media promoted war as a righteous fight against evil and many men were persuaded to join up by such propaganda
• Propaganda was also used to keep morale high in the general population and to encourage everyone to do their bit for the war by growing their own food and going along with food rationing.

Question 17

Conscription

Answer 17

• Faced with appalling casualty figures a and a decline in voluntary recruiting, the British government introduced the first Military Service Act in January 1916.
• Conscription meant that people had no choices as to whether to enlist in the armed forces – it became legal requirement and duty
• The imposed conscription on all single men aged between 18 and 41, but exempted the medically unfit, clergymen, teachers and certain classes of industrial worker who were vital to the war effort such as coal miners.
• During the whole of WW1 conscription resulted in around 2.5 million men joining the armed forces.

Question 18

Conscientious Objectors

Answer 18

• Around 16,000 men refused to take up arms or fight during the First World War for religious, moral, ethical, or political reasons. They were known as conscientious objectors.
• The vast majority refused on religious grounds. Many believed it was against their religion to kill, for example, Quaker’s. Some would do non – combatant duties for example, driving ambulances.
• Only a minority refused on political grounds – socialists believed the war was exploiting the working men, but some would do non combatant duties.
• Absolutists were those who refused to do anything to support the war effort. They faced harsh conditions such as being sent to prison (6261 people) or dying from harsh treatments. Others were considered insane.

Question 19

Casualties and Deaths

Answer 19

• By 1918, most Scottish families were mourning the loss of a loved one. 100,000 – 150,000 Scots lost their life in WWI.
• The Battle of Somme was the bloodiest in WWI with more than a million casualties.
• Families would hear of the deaths by telegram and often friends of the soldier would write to the family.
• Many women suffered great loss becoming widows with the burden of caring for their families whilst grieving.
• Many men were severely injured, and this affected their ability to return to work – their families became dependent on economic support from others. Many suffered terrible psychological damage because of their trench experiences, shell shock and gas poisoning.
• War Memorials are found in towns and cities across Scotland to commemorate those that died e.g. The Scottish National War Memorial opened at Edinburgh Castle on July 14th, 1917.
• More than 100 years have passed since the end of WWI but on Remembrance Sunday in November, people pay their respects to those who served and lost their lives during the war.

Question 20

War Work Including Women’s Work: Munitions Factories

Answer 20

The high demand for weapons resulted in the munitions factories becoming the largest single employer of women during 1918. Female workers were known as ‘canaries’ because they had to handle TNT which caused their skin to turn yellow. Around 400 women died from overexposure to TNT during WWI. Sometimes there were explosion which killed or injured many, such as at Chilwell.
By 1918, nearly 1 million were employed.

Question 21

War Work Including Women’s Work: Women’s Land Army

Answer 21

Established March 1917, called ‘land girls’ and were paid less than men. There were 23,000 full time members between March 1917 – May 1919 and a total of 300,000 women served on the land during the war.

Question 22

War Work Including Women’s Work: Police

Answer 22

First women police came about due to the war, and they mostly patrolled factories to ensure no explosives were being taken in.

Question 23

War Work Including Women’s Work: Transport

Answer 23

Women took over men’s jobs as tram/railway conductors and ticket collectors. There was an increase in the numbers of women working on railways from 9,000 to 50,000.

Question 24

War Work Including Women’s Work: Nurses

Answer 24

Worked in Queen Alexandria’s forces, or as VADs. VADs often had the menial tasks and rarely did more of the proper nursing work. 10,000 nurses by the end of the war. Registered nurses worried about the capability of unqualified volunteers.

Question 25

War Work Including Women’s Work: Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps

Answer 25

The first armed forces for women established in December 1916. First army, later navy November 1917 and air force on April 1st, 1918. 100,000 women joined the armed forces during the war.

Question 26

Reserved Occupations

Answer 26

A reserved occupation was a vital wartime job done by skilled men who could not be conscripted. These included:

• Dock Workers
• Miners
• Farmers
• Scientists
• Merchant Seamen
• Railway Workers
• Utility Workers – Water, Gas, Electricity

Question 27

Agriculture/Farming

Answer 27

During War:
Boom – Shepherds were in demand because their sheep produced the wool for military uniforms. In 1916, the government bough every bit of wool cut from sheep and wages for shepherds almost doubled to £2 per week by the end of the war. Wages double for most farm workers during the war even though many farms lost their labourers as men left for the armed forces.

Post-war:
Decline – Government subsidies (gave financial help) for farmers finished in 1920. World prices fell by at least 25% during this period and new machine increased output which mean less workers were required.

Question 28

Coal

Answer 28

During War:
Boom – Industry started doing well and benefited from wartime demand leading to large profits and rising demand for workers so there was almost no unemployment. Workers were also very skilled and gained the title of ‘reserved occupations.

Post-war:
Decline – By 1926, the 42.5 million tonnes of coal produced in 1913 decreased to 16.8 million tonnes. Additionally, Scottish coal was difficult to get out of the ground and that made it expensive to produce.

Question 29

Engineering

Answer 29

During War:
Boom – There was an increase and expansion to employ 20,000 men at Beardmore’s engineering firm’s sites to help produce aircrafts, artillery pieces, tanks, and airships.

Post-war:
Decline – Locomotive (railway engine) production fell by 2/3rds at the North British Locomotive Company. As a result, engineering work declined as companies amalgamated (joined together).

Question 30

Fishing

Answer 30

During War:
Decline – Fishing industry declined as the North Sea was closed to fishing. Even on the west coast, fishermen were restricted to the waters close to shore because of the threat posed by German submarines.

Post-war:
Boom – As the war had ended the fishing industry went back into business as the North Sea would have been opened as well as the west coast since there were no German submarines.

Question 31

New Industries

Answer 31

Post-war:
Decline – Many areas were not connected to the national electric grid and so in 1938, over 700,000 people (40% of the population) were still without an electricity supply.

Question 32

Shipbuilding

Answer 32

During War:
Boom – Increase in demand for ships led to more people being employed in the shipyards. This led to a greater need for homes and goods in the Clydesdale areas as workers flocked the area.

Post-war:
Decline – Between 1921 and 1923, shipping built on the Clyde fell from 510,000 to 170,000 tonnes. Shipyards had to then close as orders dried up. Why the increase?

Scottish shipyards had to depend on orders from the Admiralty (government department that ran the Royal Navy).

Question 33

Steel

Answer 33

During War:
Boom – Industry started doing well and benefited from wartime demand leading to large profits and rising demand for workers so there was almost no unemployment. Workers were also very skilled and gained the title of ‘reserved occupations.

Post-war:
Decline – As companies were encouraged to scrap old machinery and to work together to reduce costs and increase production, in Scotland, this would include the railways and steel industries. Therefore, many of these industries had to scrap and get rid of material.

Question 34

Textiles (including Jute)

Answer 34

During War:
Boom – Industry started doing well and benefited from wartime demand leading to large profits and rising demand for workers so there was almost no unemployment. Workers were also very skilled and gained the title of ‘reserved occupations.

Post-war:
Decline – Orders from the army for jute sacks stopped. Alongside this there was also competition from India as jute was a fiber brought from Bangladesh (then parts of India) to Dundee making it into a very hard-wearing cloth.

Question 35

Suffragette Campaign

Answer 35

Militant Tactics:

• Motto was ‘Deeds not Words’, believing militancy was the way forward.
• Suffragettes smashed shop windows which angered business owners.
• Suffragettes interrupted political meetings which annoyed politicians.
• Emily Davidson’s actions at the Derby outraged the nation.
• Suffragettes slashing paintings upset many people.
• Attacking politicians made many people view Suffragettes as too immature to vote.
• Chaining themselves to public buildings made man view Suffragettes as a nuisance.
• Arson attacks e.g., racecourses, post boxes… turned many against the cause.
• Use of letter bombs made many think women were not responsible enough to vote. Acid attacks e.g., golf clubs turned many against the cause.
• Some Suffragettes viewed as unpatriotic for not supporting the war effort.
• Hunger strikes/force-feeding in prison won public sympathy for votes for women.

Other Methods:

• Petitions
• Lobbying
• Seeking MP support – bills every year from 1910 on suffrage.
• Had high numbers throughout and many suffragettes changed to suffragists when their actions became extreme.

Question 36

Rent Strikes

Answer 36

In February 1915, local women formed the Glasgow Women’s Housing Association to resist rent rises. In May 1915, the first rent strike began and soon about 25,000 tenants in Glasgow had joined it.

The response was the Rent Restriction Act – freezing rent at 1914 levels unless improvements had been made to the property.

Question 37

Extension of the Franchise: Reasons

Answer 37

• Women’s campaigns for the vote had gradually gained momentum before the War.
• Women had gained voting rights in local elections and showed they could use it sensibly.
• There was a gradual widening of the franchise to men and a sense that it was only a matter of time before they were given the vote.
• By calling off their campaign during the war, the women’s groups gained a lot of respect and support for them being given the vote.
• Women’s work during the war was recognised as significant and persuaded many men that women deserved the vote.
• Militant actions such as the Glasgow Rent Strikes reminded the government that women could resume their pre-war campaigning if ignored.
• Voting laws had to be changed to allow returning soldiers the vote, which created the opportunity to give the vote to some women in 1918.

Question 38

Extension of the Franchise: Representation of the People Act, 1918

Answer 38

• All men over 21 were given the vote.
• Women over 30 were given the vote.
• Women over 21 who owned their homes or were married to householders were given the vote.

Overall, this widened the franchise by around 8 million voters. However, the act still discriminated against women. It was 1928 when the vote was given to both men and women over 21.

Question 39

Home Fit for Heroes: Pressure for Change

Answer 39

• After the war it was felt that those who had served their country deserved a reward for their efforts.
• The 1917 Royal Commission found that Scottish housing was in a dire state with many homes having shared toilet facilities and lacking basic sanitation.
• Overcrowding was still a grave issue in Scotland with many families living in two room tenements.

Question 40

Home Fit for Heroes: Addison Act

Answer 40

• Aimed to build 500,000 homes in three years.
• Required councils to provide suitable housing for working class people to rent.
• Wanted to create affordable housing for returning servicemen and families.
• Low-cost, could be built with unskilled labour.
• Less than half completed.
• Despite wanting good housing, many did not want to leave their pre-established communities.

Question 41

Home Fit for Heroes: 1924 Wheatley Housing Act

Answer 41

• More houses to be built with indoor toilets, electricity, and gardens.