WW1 Flashcards
How and why was nationalisation and centralisation introduced during the war?
Nationalisation and centralisation became crucial for efficiency in the war effort. -Railways nationalised and profits became fixed-Shells became collectivised after the shell shortage in 1915 which led to increased casualties b/c of supply failure -Shipping and coal industry also centralised -> by 1917, a increase in shipping + decrease in strikes seen in coal industry -Imports/ production = controlled -> essentials + commodities rationed
factors increased efficiency in transportation and production, aiding the war effort
How and why were taxes increased during the war?
Increased taxes necessary to maintain the cost of war. -WW1 cost GB under $5 mill a day -> increased national debt bank borrowing -> USA $2mill a dayran down GB gold reserves -Although Lib usually only taxed unproductive wealth, clearly this would not sustain war cost-Income tax rose from 9d to 6 s 1914-18-Death duties rose sharply + excess profits taxes imposed on a range of goods
How and why was Censorship and Propaganda introduced during the war?
The strains of taxes and war meant that Censorship and Propaganda became necessary in order to maintain morale
Defence of Realm Act introduced 1914 -> restricted freedom of press + censored newspaper + films + -decreased pub licensing hours -Men dying b/c supply failure -Rumours of rebellion within the Liberal gov -Public had to have trust in their gov otherwise society would not function -Sep 1914 450k volunteers -> Dec 1915 55k -> evident that the war would not ‘end by christmas’-Dept. of information 1917 used radio to spread beliefs that the Somme was a success b/c boost of morale would mean increased war effort
How did Asquith’s failure cause a new coalition to be formed in 1916?
-Ammunition shortages-Country was not producing enough ammunition for W frontdispatch from Colonel Repington in the Times blamed lib gov for shell shortage -attempt to land a GB force at Dardanelles in April 1915 to knock Turkey out of war failed-Decreased A’s popularity only 130 of 272 seats willingly support A
Why was Lloyd George a better suited leader during the war?
Cons. were never content with A’s leadership -> Popularity of L.G. increased-as head of ministry of munitions -> machine guns increased by 248,670 1914-18-established the idea of consulting industrial experts in areas of prod. + supply -> national e. -shared the same frustration with war as Cons. -> willing to give up lib values for the benefit of the nationas war minster -> not afraid to criticise General Haig + Sir Robertson for the military miscalculation of Battle of the Somme
How did Military incompetence lead to the formation of a new coalition government 1916?
Frustrations with war led to L.G. belief that War Committee was the only way
Wanted to reform Military incompetence -> somme -L.G. believed he understood + represented expectations of a nation-Asquith’s duties were too heavy -> unreasonable to expect dedication to war aswell-However, A saw War Committee as a vehicle for L.G. to undermine his power-Demanded to be head of war committee b/c he was essentially being demoted-L.G. threatened to leave Lib party, Cons backed L.G. in a new coalition gov-through newspapers, public opinion turned against A -> A resignation subsequent L.G.+Cons Gov
How did Lloyd George split the Liberal Party?
- Wanted to reform Military incompetence
- > somme -L.G. believed he understood + represented expectations of a nation
- Asquith’s duties were too heavy -> unreasonable to expect dedication to war aswell
- However, A saw War Committee as a vehicle for L.G. to undermine his power
- Demanded to be head of war committee b/c he was essentially being demoted
- L.G. threatened to leave Lib party, Cons backed L.G. in a new coalition gov
- through newspapers, public opinion turned against A
- > A resignation subsequent split of Lib party
- > Maurice Debate marked the final split -> vote of no confidence
- 98 Liberal MP’s voted for Asquith and only 72 for Lloyd George -> humiliated Asquith
How did Lloyd George weaken the Liberal party by flooding the cabinet with Conservatives?
- shared the same frustration with war as Cons.
- > willing to give up lib values for the benefit of the nation as war minster
- Gave the Cons. power more power
- > Increase support for Cons. -> nationalisation had always been a Cons. policy and was shown to be successful to the war
- allowed Cons. to take credit for GB winning the war and blame L.G. + Lib party for any faults that occurred
