The War Revolution/Seventeen Days of Hades Flashcards
How does the role of cavalry change in WWI?
Barbed wire decreased mobility, used for transportation, many died of hunger or illness
The invasion of what country caused Britain to declare war on Germany?
Belgium
What invention significant to WWI did Hiram Maxim invent? Why was this superior to other similar weapons?
Machine gun. Automatic–used recoil to load gun continually. 10 rounds a second
Why was barbed wire, or “devil’s rope”, invented?
To be a cheap fence for cows
Why was the Battle of Marne significant?
Paris was almost taken by the Germans (Marne is just east of Paris). The French stopped their advance and destroyed their hopes of a quick victory
Why could armies stay fighting during the winter in WWI?
Tinned food brought from trains
Before WWI, what was trench warfare used for?
Laying siege
Who was the last Canadian to die in WWI, just five minutes before the armistice?
Private George Price
What factors lead to the digging of trenches in WWI?
Hiding from artillery shell fire, maintaining a strong defensive position.
Some generals remark that trench warfare is not about fighting the enemy, but rather _______ the enemy. This type of warfare is called what?
Outsurviving, war of attrition
Who was Minister of Militia during WWI?
Sam Hughes
Who is Canada’s PM during WWI?
Robert Borden
Why would Canadian men enlist to fight in the war?
Duty, adventure
Why were men marching and doing target practice before battle when it would be of little use during trench warfare?
To keep them busy
What problem arises with the Canadian Ross Rifle? How do soldiers mitigate this?
The soldiers were trained to shoot it very quickly and the rifle jammed easily from the metal expanding from heat. They took Lee-Enfield rifles from dead British soldiers
Why would people back then view war more favourably than we would today?
We have a much better understanding of what war looks like because of television, videos
Who invented poison gas? What type of gas is used?What happened to his wife because of it?
Fritz Haber. Chlorine gas. Wife committed suicide because she could not live knowing the suffering caused by the weapon
Why did most nations agree to ban poison gas in war? Why didn’t America agree?
Too much suffering. America did not want to turn down something that would end the war sooner.
Why were German generals reluctant to use poison gas?
Thought it was immoral and that the conflict would escalate (enemy may start using it)
Why did Canadians fight the Germans so furiously during the gas attack?
Buy time for British to send them reinforcements
Which country’s troops were first gassed?
French
Why aren’t soldiers safe in their trenches from gas attacks?
The gas sinks as it is heavier than air
What were the soldiers told to do to help survive a gas attack?
Urinate in handkerchief and tie over mouth/nose.
