World War 1: The First Two Years

Question 1

Discuss the Schlieffen Plan.

Answer 1

Required going through Belgium, which was neutral. This was a calculate risk. Britain protecte Belgiums neutrality.

Germans miscalculate Belgiums defense, slowing them down. France miscalculated the Germans speed. The Battle of the Marne halted the Germans march to Paris.

This failure to deliver ‘knock-out’ blow led to the stalemate of the Western Front.

Question 2

Discuss campaigns in the East.

Answer 2

Led by Paul von HIndenburg and Eric Ludendorff.

3/5 of the Russian army was destroyed (200 000 men who were poorly equipped for battle)

In Galacia, Austria-Hungary loses 1/3 of its troops.

Question 3

Discuss the battle at Arras.

Answer 3

During May and June 1915. 132,000 casualties on the Allied side, 73,000 on the German side. More than 2 million shells were sent over the German front lines.

Question 4

Discuss the battle at Verdun.

Answer 4

February- October 1915

Strategic an symbolic place in France. If it was capture morale would drop.

750 000 men had been killed, French and German.

Flkenhayn: inflicted so much damage to a degree that ‘not even a mouse could survive’

Question 5

Discuss the factors that made 1916 a turning point in the war.

Answer 5

Up until then the battles were the most devastating in human history to date.

‘Turnip winter’ caused many to starve, particularly in Germany.

Lack of warm clothing, soap, coal - greatly increase social tensions in Germany. The home front began to suffer.

The war shifted into total war - using everything they’ve got.

Question 6

Discuss the battle at the Somme.

Answer 6

60,000 British soldiers were casualties on the first day.

Opened with 1 week of shelling against the Germans, 1.5 million artillery shells.

The Germans lost 500,000 men in this battle.