What was WW1 like?

Question 1

Why did men join the army

Answer 1

• Recruitment camps were good at highlighting that the country needed you
• Patriotism: people were proud of the country and wanted to support it
• Anti-German feeling: since 1898, Britain and Germany had been in competition and so many wanted to fight against them
• Chivalry: It was seen as a man’s job to protect his country/home
• Female pressure: some women handed out flowers to men as a way to shame them
• Travel: Many had not seen the world and was an opportunity to leave their town
• Pals batallion: Men could sign up with their sports teams, factory workers and communities

Question 2

What was life like in the trenches?

Answer 2

It was really tough but easier than being out of the trenches

• Trenchs were water logged so many soilders got trench foot
• Shell Shock affected around 2% of the army. Brought about by the huge amount of bombings
• Trenches were infested with rats that were claimed to have grown to the size of cats
• The food was poor and limited

Question 3

How did weaponry change ?

Answer 3

• Tanks were introduced. Though not useful at the time were key later on
• Poisonous gas: first used by the Germans but both sides used it during the war. Estimated 1.3 million died from gas exposure
• Machine Guns: not fully developed but worked well with trench warefare

Question 4

How did medicine develop?

Answer 4

• Blood transfusions: were vital during WW1
• Plastic surgery: improved during WW1 with the amount of men who needed their faces rebuilt
• X-rays: discovered by Roentgen but made mobile by Marie Curie. Made treatment fast and precises

Question 5

Common Battle of The Somme phrase

Answer 5

Lions led by donkeys

Question 6

What happened at the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 6

In July 1916, General Haig was ordered to divert the troops away from Verdun

The plan was continuous bombardment for eight days to ensure clear German trenches. This did not happen.

On the first day alone there were 57,470 casualties including 19,240 dead.

Question 7

Why did the war end?

Answer 7

• Ended on 11/11/1918
• German surrender due to starvation and their allies were on the brink of collapse