World War One - Part Three

Question 1

What were the early stages of the war like for Russia?

Answer 1

They won some important battles against both Germany and Austria-Hungary. However, a shortage of equipment and poor leadership lead to losses at Tannenburg and the Masurian Lakes.

Question 2

How was Russia lead during the war?

Answer 2

The Tsar lead the army but was a poor leader and was blamed for defeats. Petrograd was now in the hands of the Tsarina (German) and her adviser Rasputin (an unpopular and mystical monk).

Question 3

What were the effects of the war on Russia?

Answer 3

Russians were suffering. 15 million men had joined the army and left jobs vacant. This lead to food and fuel shortages.

Russia’s railway system also couldn’t cope with the demands of war and fuel couldn’t get to cities, leading to power failures.

None of the leaders had a solution and by 1916 more than 1 million Russians had died and public opinion turned against war.

Question 4

How did Revolution occur in Russia in early 1917?

Answer 4

By early 1917, discontent turned to riots which broke out all over Russia. When the Tsarina ordered soldiers to fire at protesters they rejected and joined the protests. Many soldiers deserted the front lines.

The Petrograd Soviet was set up by workers. In March, the Tsar returned and saw the chaos, unable to do anything. Without support, he abdicated on the 15th March. Immediately, the Tsar and his family were seized and imprisoned.

Question 5

After the revolution of early 1917, what leadership was established?

Answer 5

A provisional government replaced the Tsar promising to hold elections and divide the land among the peasants. They didn’t promise an end to the war but actually ordered a new offensive against Germany in July 1917, ending in defeated. The army again deserted.

Question 6

What was the second Revolution in Russia?

Answer 6

The Germans had smuggled Vladimir Lenin back into Russia who had been exiled by the Tsar. They thought he might destabilise the government.

In November 1917, Lenin and his supporters launched a coup, setting up a new communist government. He made peace with Germany.

Question 7

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Answer 7

In March 1918, Russia and Germany signed a treaty, which was harsh on Russia, losing lots of quality farmland and natural resources. The Entente were furious that the Russians had broken the alliances made before the war. This gave the Germans an advantage.

Question 8

What were the advantages of the Russian withdrawal to Germany?

Answer 8

Germany could now refocus their efforts to the Western Front, no longer needing to fight a war on two fronts.

The Germans had also gained valuable farmland and raw materials, easing the blockade by the British.

Question 9

What was American neutrality?

Answer 9

When war broke out in 1914, the USA refused to take sides or support an alliance. The British felt they should join on their side as they had strong ties. However, it felt getting involved in a distant war would not be beneficial.

Question 10

How did the USA profit from the war?

Answer 10

American companies sold food, weapons and other goods to Britain and its allies. This created jobs in America and made businessmen very rich. American banks lent money to Britain and its allies which was used to buy weapons and food from the USA.

Question 11

What submarine attacks were carried out on US ships?

Answer 11

Ships transporting American supplies to Europe were a target for U-Boats. In America, anti-war sentiment was growing as more ships were sunk by U-boats.

In May 1915, the Lusitania was sunk, killing over 1000 passengers including 128 Americans. There was a huge outcry after and tension between the US and Germany rapidly increased.

Question 12

What was the result of the sinking of the Lusitania?

Answer 12

Many US citizens demanded Woodrow Wilson to declare war on Germany, but he refused to get drawn into the war. The Germans also scales back U-boat attacks after.

Question 13

How did American neutrality end?

Answer 13

By 1917, the Germans were desperate and decided they needed to starve Britain and France into surrender by attacking ships supplying the,

Within months 8 US ships had been sunk.

In March 1917, the Americans intercepted a German transmission asking Mexico to go to war with the USA to claim the US states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Mexico refused also and the US declared war on Germany in April 1917.

Question 14

What was the impact of the US’ entry into the war on the Entente?

Answer 14

It was a great boost for the Entente, being one of the richest countries in the world with huge natural resource supplies.

Even though it would take months for American soldiers to arrive, the news came when Russia’s involvement was in doubt, hoping to balance the loss of Russia.

Question 15

What was the impact of the entry of the USA on Germany?

Answer 15

Despite the good news of the Russian withdrawal allowing them to focus on the Western Front, it was now a race against time to mount a concentrated attack against the Entente before American troops arrived.

Question 16

What were the Advances at sea during the war?

Answer 16

-The U-boat campaign sank millions of tonnes of cargo and killed thousands of sailors and civillians. New tactics were introduced like minefields, depth charves and Q-ships and the convoy system.

The hydrophone was another breakthrough, it can be used to detect underwater sound. By 1918, hydrophones could detect submarines miles away.

Early aircraft carriers were also developed, allowing aeroplanes to be launched by catapults and recovered by a crane after landing.

By October 1918, a British ship became the first aircraft carrier when a plane landed on the deck of HMS Argus. The war ended a month later and aircraft carriers played no role in the conflict.

Question 17

How did air warfare develop during the war?

Answer 17

-Aeroplanes were constructed with stronger materials and became more manoeuvrable. Anthony Fokker developed the first synchronised mechanism that allowed machine guns mounted in front of the pilots to fire between propeller blades.

-Stronger planes meant that they could have larger fuel tanks to travel greater distances. They could hold larger bombs allowing for long-range bombing attacks.

-Fighter and bomber planes supported troops as they attacked enemy trenches, helping slow down enemy attacks as in 1918.

-Air warfare tactics developed. At first, aeroplanes flew either alone or in small groups of 2-3. By 1917, pilots were flying in large patrols or formations. Patrol leaders would try to surprise enemy fighters by positioning themselves above the enemy before attacking.

-By 1917, pilots could communicate with ground troops by radio, rather than by dropping them weighted messages about the effectiveness of artillery fire.

Question 18

How was tank power used in the war?

Answer 18

The first ever tanks were used at the Somme by the British in 1916. But they were very slow and broke down before reaching German trenches.

A year later, at the Battle of Cambrai, over 400 tanks crossed no man’s land, crushed German positions and gained 8km of land for a fraction the usual losses.

At the Battle of Amiens, in August 1918, around 600 tanks led an attack on German positions that saw Entente forces advance 32km. But by the fifth day of the advance
fewer than 50 tanks were working.

By 1918, the Germans had developed guns that could punch a hole through the side of a tank. The Germans also dug anti-tank trenches which could prevent a tank from crossing.

Question 19

What were the improvements made to artillery by the end of the war?

Answer 19

-special shells were developed that could destroy barbed wire.
-the creeping barrage was perfected
-anti-aircraft guns were developed to shoot down enemy planes.
-guns became much bigger and more accurate. By March 1918 the Germans had developed guns thay could fire a 106KG shell up to 130KM. These were used to shell Paris.
-Mine warfare had become more used. Tunnels were built, usually by ex-miners, under enemy trenches so explosives could be placed to destroy a position.

Question 20

What were inflitratiom tactics?

Answer 20

A specially trained team of elite soldiers armed with LMGs, grenades and flamethrowers would advance ahead of a main attack to locate and destroy any German machine guns. The Germans copied them.

In 1917, the Germans began training soldiers in this method if attack. They called them Stormtroopers. They were first used at the Battle of Riga, later at Caporetto and Cambrai.

Question 21

What did allied command do to thwart the Ludendorff Spring Offensive?

Answer 21

They co-ordinated and made Ferdinand Foch commander-in-chief, planning all allied directives. Almost immediately the advance was halted and the Germans were retreating.

Question 22

Who was Ferdinand Foch?

Answer 22

He was a commander who first fought in the Franco-Prussian War, becoming an artillery specialist.

He also commanded troops at the Battle of the Marne and led French troops at the Battle of the Somme.

Although he retired in 1916, Foch returned in 1917 to coordinate all allied forces.

He retired again in 1919 and died in 1929.

Question 23

What was Ludendorff’s plan?

Answer 23

He would attack British and French lines, first from near Arras. He hoped to exploit poorly built trenches as a shatterpoint.

Question 24

How was the Ludendorff Offensive planned to start?

Answer 24

There would initially be a 5 hour bombardment (hurricane bombardment). The Germans planned to fire 1 million shells at the British. This would be equivalent to 3000 per minute.

-The Germans would then use stormtroopers to burst through lines and create panic.

-Attacks would take place in three other places and the gaps would allow for a large breakthrough, forcing an allied surrender.

Question 25

How did the Ludendorff Offensive begin?

Answer 25

The artillery bombardment began at 4:40AM on 21st March 1918. An area of 150 sq miles was hit by one million shells.
in 5 hours. This was followed by the release of poison gas and thousands of stormtroopers.

The British were totally outnumbered and confused. Thousands fled or surrendered. By the end of the first day, 20,000 British soldiers were killed, 35,000 wounded and 21,000 had been taken prisoner. The stalemate was broken.

Question 26

What was the limit of the German advance during the Ludendorff Offensive? What did this mean for the German army?

Answer 26

In some areas the Germans had advanced 60 kilometers. The Germans now regained the Somme. But this had a heavy price. Between March and April 1918, the Germans lost over 220,000 men and they would soon run out of men at that rate.

Question 27

What problems did the Ludendorff Offensive have for Germany?

Answer 27

The stormtroopers had pushed so far that they were too deep in enemy territory, so supply lines weren’t open and many starved. Soon, American soldiers would land as well.

Question 28

How did the allied forces under Foch respond to the Ludendorff Offensive?

Answer 28

There were many salients in the German line and since American troops were arriving very quickly, he exploited all of the salients. On 15th July, Ludendorff ordered a final attack, which ended in disaster. At this point, Foch ordered a counterattack.

Question 29

What did Ludendorff do?

Answer 29

-He helped devise the Schlieffen Plan.
-Amongst other leaders, he helped win at the battle of Tannenburg and the Masurian Lakes.
-He supported unrestricted submarine warfare, being a reason for the USA’s entry.
-He played a key role in the terms of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

Question 30

What was the plan for Foch’s counterattack?

Answer 30

Instead of concentrating force on a single area he would stretch his forces and thus his enemies to breaking point. British, French, Belgian and other allied forces would attack in the North whilst French and Americans would attack further East.

Question 31

What happened on 8th August 1918?

Answer 31

Foch’s counteroffensive began at Amiens with British, Commonwealth and French forces and they broke through German lines and took 11KM of territory. Over the next week, another 8KM was taken. Allied loses were reported at 6500 whilst the Germans 30,000. Around 300 German guns and 17,000 troops were captured.

Question 32

What was the Second Battle of the Somme?

Answer 32

British and Australian forces attacked and captured the city of Albert. The French captured Noyon while another British attack saw them capture Bapaume. These are known as the Second Battle of the Somme.

Question 33

What were the Battles of the Hindenburg Line?

Answer 33

After breakthroughs, the Germans were pushed back to the trenches they had built in 1917, called the Hindenburg Line. In September 1918, French and American forces began to attack this line with the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. This was the largest attack in American history, involving 1.2 million US soldiers. It cost over 26,000 American lives.

Question 34

What other battles were there during the Hundred Days?

Answer 34

Belgian, British and French troops attacked near Ypres, whilst soldiers from the Empire and America fought at St Quentin Canal. Meanwhie the French continued to assault part of the Hindenburg Line. By early October, the allies had completely broken through. As they retreated, Germans destroyed infrastructure but also left guns and supplies in their panic. This meant most military leaders accepted the war should end.

Question 35

What impact did enemy attacks have on the Home Front?

Answer 35

-This was the most direct way in which civillians experienced the war.
-Airship attacks and aeroplane attacks took place throughout the war on the home fronts in Britain, France, Germany and Belgium.

Question 36

What impact did increased production have on the home front?

Answer 36

-In order to meet demands for weapons and equipment, countries had to increase production
-In Germany and Britain, the government nationalised certain industries like mines, railways, weapons, factories and shipyards.
-With so many men fighting in the war, women moved into jobs that previously had only been held by men.

Question 37

What impacts did food shortages have on the home front?

Answer 37

-Both sides deliberately tried starving each other by blockading or sinking ships.
-Many goods became unavailable while prices rose for others.
-In Germany, the British blockade of ports meant the government was forced to set maximum prices on goods like sugar and introduce compulsory ‘meatless’ days.
-In Britain, rationing was introduced to ensure everyone got enough food.

Question 38

What impact did the devastated landscapes have on the home front?

Answer 38

In the countries where fighting took place, like France and Belgium, the landscape was changed beyond recognition.
-In France alone, 75,000 houses, 20,000 factories, 1,000 bridges, 48,000km of road, 2,000 breweries and 1,600 km of railway line were destroyed.

Question 39

How did a change in public approval for the war impact the home front?

Answer 39

-In Germany, the suffering endured by civillians as a result of the British blockade caused resentment amongst the people.
-In 1915, 500 women gathered in front of the Reichstag demanding a return of soldiers. A year later, 10,000 workers gathered demanding an end to the war.
-In Russia in 1917 and Germany in 1918, the monarchies were overthrown.

Question 40

How did the Kaiser abdicate? What happened after?

Answer 40

By September 1918, Germany was close to collapse and its army nearly defeated. Civillians and soldiers had little food and other supplies and a flu killed thousands.

The Kaiser reluctantly allowed some power to be transferred to the Reichstag but it was too little too late.

On 28th October, in Kiel, sailors in the German Navy refused to attack British ships.

Having lost control of the majority of the country, the Kaiser abdicated on the 9th November 1918.

Friedrich Ebert formed a temporary government and ended the war, promising elections.

Question 41

What were the terms of the armistice?

Answer 41

German representatives met the allies in a tram in France, being forced to agree that:

-All fighting would end by 11AM, 11th November, 1918.
-All German occupied territory in Belgium, Luxembourg and France (including Alsace-Lorraine annexed in 1870) would be handed over.
-They had to leave Austria-Hungary, Romania and Turkey.
-The allies were to occupy land in Germany west of the Rhine.
-The Germans would hand over large amounts of equipment like submarines and battleships.
-The naval blockade would continue.
-Germany would pay for damage caused.

Question 42

What reasons were there for Germany’s defeat?

Answer 42

-British naval blockade - Germany couldn’t import necessary supplies.

-USA’s entry - a huge physical and morale boost for the allies, damaging the Germans.

-Ludendorff Spring Offensive - its failure left them exposed and weakened.

-Russian revolutions - Russia’s withdrawal meant workers were inspired to start a revolution in Germany to overthrow the Kaiser, this led to mutinees and riots.

-The tank - it gave the allies a huge advantage late in the war and Germany didn’t utilise it much.

-The defeat of German allies - In September and October 1918, Germany’s allies surrendered, leaving it isolated and surrounded.

-Popular revolt - the terrible situation in Germany led to riots, mutinies and the forced abdication of the Kaiser. It was clear the German people wanted the war to end.

-The role of Foch and Haig - They both helped secure allied victory. Some argue that better tactics could have saved more lives, but others say it was experience and expertise that allowed them to succeed despite high casualty rates.