U1 Era Of The Great War Flashcards
Why would Scots volunteer in the army? (6)
It was believed the war would be over by Christmas
They would have a white feather placed on them as they were seen as cowards
They believed they would come back as heroes
They could sign up in a pals battalion -McCraes Battalion
Could explore the world
Propaganda shamed people
What was life like in the trenches (6)
Soldiers could spend weeks at the front line before getting a break
Susceptible to floods as they were often built downhill
Soldiers more active at night as they could repair trenches or search for soldiers in no-mans land
Some would get fingers shot off to go home
Rats went around the trenches spreading lice
Diseases such as typhoid, typhus and influenza spread
People developed trench foot as a result of not being able to dry their feet resulting in amputations
What are examples of military tactics? (4)
Gas was used as a way to clear trenches but could blow back at soldiers
Shells were used to bomb enemy trenches
Machines guns used to defend your trenches by being in line to shoot across each other
Creeping barrage involved bombing enemy trenches to allow for soldiers to sneak up
What are examples of new technology on the western front? (6)
Machine guns used to defend trenches as they were too heavy to move about - fired 600 bullets per minute
Heavy artillery used to clear enemy trenches and in creeping barrages
Poisonous Gas was used to clear enemy trenches - chlorine targeted lungs , mustard targeted damp areas
Tanks were used to provide cover when moving across no mans land and moved across barbed wire, had tracks to stop getting stuck, introduced in 1916
Flamethrowers were used to clear trenches but could result in the gas tank being shot and exploding as it wasn’t covered
What are some restrictions brought in by DORA? (6)
Censorship was brought in so that the public didn’t find out what was taking place on the western front
Restrictions on alcohol was brought in so that people would always be fit to work
Blackouts brought in to prevent German bombers from seeing where people were
Government took control of factories so that more ammo and weapons could be produced for the war effort
Conscription was brought in as recruitment numbers began to drop by the end of 1915
People could not give bread to animals as food had to be rationed
Why was rationing introduced? (6)
Health of people was deteriorating
People were panic buying food
In April 1916 Britain was down to 6 weeks of grain supply
U-boats stopped from being imported
Farmers were fighting in the war
Key workers and soldiers were prioritised
How did the role of women change in society? (1)
Before the war their role was seen as to be within the home and giving them political rights would result in them neglecting home work
How was propaganda used in the Great War? (6)
Posters made army look exciting
Shamed people that didn’t join by talking about their children
Told men it was their duty to join
Shared stories of German atrocities
British Monarch changed from Saxe-Coburg Gotha to Windsor to get rid of any German Links
Stories of war battles would downplay casualties
Why was conscription introduced? (6)
Volunteer numbers were falling largely
The war was not as short as first believed
Women were putting on less pressure as they were scared for loved ones to leave
News of casualties and failed attacks spread
Leaders were becoming less trusted as stories of failed attacks came to light
Stories of life in the trenches were told by soldiers
Why were people conscientious objectors? (6)
People rejected to sign up based on moral grounds as they felt killing was wrong
Belonged to religious groups such as the Quakers
Felt it was wrong to fight as Scotland was not in direct threat
Socialists believed the war was a rich mans fight
Independent Labour Party were opposed to the war
Some could not accept the states increase in power I.e. John Maclean
Points relating to memorial and death of Scottish Troops (4)
Soldiers remembered by Poppy Day on November 11th - Flanders Fields
77000 Dead Scots with a 26% fatality rate
Memorials created like the one outside the Dobbie Hall in Larbert
Examples of Women’s War Work (6)
Rise of women in heavy industry - 4000 to 30000.
80% Of shells in the war produced by Women.
Women’s land army introduced as farmers went to war.
Women gained the opportunity to trained in skills previously not available to them.
Many joined the jute industry in Dundee where 6 million sand bags were made a month
90% of workers in the munitions industry were women at the peak of the war
Why were certain occupations reserved (4)
Coal miners were not allowed to sign up as they were needed as it is a physically demanding job
which women could not do
Engineers could not sign up as they were needed to build ships on the docks
Teachers could not sign up as they had to continue providing education at schools
Iron and Steel workers couldn’t sign up as they were vital resources needed for the production of ammo guns and ships
How did the war ending effect heavy industry? (5)
Shipbuilding collapsed as countries no longer needed nor could afford ships - dropped from 510,000 tonnes to 170,000 from 1921 to 1923
Jute industry collapsed as 6 million sand bags were being produced a month - after the war there was no demand, the Calcutta ban was also lifted
Steel and Iron industries collapsed dramatically as it was no longer needed for bullets and ships but couldn’t keep up with other industries after the war due to a lack of investment during the war.
The Coal industry collapsed due to the introduction of electricity and oil as sources of energy aswell as Poland producing coal faster and cheaper
Major Unemployment crisis post WW1 as automatic machinery began to replace manual workers and less demand for heavy industry
How does the Great War affect fishing and agriculture? (6)
Britain was not producing enough food to sustain its population at the beginning of the war roughly 40% was produced in the UK..
Many farmers made lots of money due to the increase of food prices and wool demand for uniform
Profits dropped after the war as the government was no longer guaranteeing prices
The numbers of fishermen dropped by around 10,000 as the north sea was completely closed due to U-Boats leaving little area to fish.
The amount of cod and haddock fished dropped from 1.5m tonnes to 0.5m tonnes.
Fish industry suffered post war due to loss of export markets and increased fuel costs.
