World War 1 Flashcards
What were the causes of WW1?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand signalled the rapid slide into world war 1. The other causes were, Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism and Alliances.
Explain Nationalism.
Nationalism is the belief that your country is better than others. This made nations assertive and aggressive.
Explain Imperialism.
Imperialism is the desire to conquer colonies, especially in Africa. This brought the powers into conflict - Germany wanted an empire. France and Britain already had empires.
Explain Militarism (Arms Race).
Militarism (Arms Race) is the attempt to build up a strong army and navy giving nations the means and will to make war.
Explain Alliances.
Alliances - in 1882, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. This alarmed, France, Britain and Russia and by 1907, they had all joined the Triple Entente. Europe was divided into two armed camps, to help each other if there was a war.
What is the name given to the land separating the Germans from the Allies?
The name given to the land separating the Germans from the Allies was called No-man’s land?
What was No-man’s land like?
No-man’s land was in between the two trenches, not owned by either side. It was full of deep mud and shell craters and large numbers of infantry were killed there.
What defences was there in front of the trenches?
In front of the trenches, Barbed wire was placed to slow down the enemy and make it easier to shoot them.
How were the front line of trenches laid out?
The front line of trenches were zig-zagged meaning the enemy could only shoot a certain distance before they had to go round a corner, which would slow them down. It also stopped the defence from being hit by grenades.
What were the trenches further back called?
The trenches further back called Reserve trenches, which were safer than the front line.
Sandbags?
Bags filled with Sand used to structure the trenches and they also absorbed bullets.
Duckboard?
Duckboards were planks of wood placed on the trench floor like a ladder to keep the soldiers feet out of the rainwater and so they did not get trench foot.
Parapet?
The parapet formed the side of the trench directly facing the enemy line to protect the heads and shoulders of men manning the fire-step. The parapet was lined with sandbags.
When did WW1 begin and end?
1914 - 1918.
Where did most of the fighting take place?
France and Belgium.
Firestep?
This was a large piece of rock used to help the soldiers get to the parapet as it was built so high up.
Elbow rest?
The elbow rest was a piece of flattened mud next to the parapet to make soldiers comfortable while watching the enemy.
Dug-out?
The dug-out was an area on the side of the trench where soldiers would go to rest and sleep out of the way of the other men.
What were the main weapons used in WW1?
The main weapons used in WW1 were: Rifles, Machine Gun, Flame-thrower, Poison Gas, Artillery, Tanks, Airships and Aircrafts.
What were the aims of the war at sea?
The aims of the war at sea were to blockade each other.
What is a Blockade?
Blockades were used to starve each other out of the war and prevent the other side from waging war by cutting off supplies.
The Battle of Jutland?
The Battle of Jutland was a naval battle fought by the British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet under Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, against the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet under Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. The battle was fought from 31 May to 1 June 1916 in the North Sea, near the coast of Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula.
What did the Allies use to attempt to defeat the U-boat threat?
The Allies used Horned Mine, Depth Charge and Hydrophone.
What was a Horned Mine?
A Horned Mine was a round metal container full of explosives. They had spikes sticking out of them called horns. If a U-boat touched a horn the whole thing would blow up.
