WW1 History Test (Unit 1) Flashcards
What is the triple entante
United Kingdom, France, Russia
- Counteract the growing power of the triple alliance
What is the triple alliance
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
- Germany and Austria-Hungary were to assist Italy if it was attacked France without provocation
“A second line of defesne for the trench in case the front line fell”
Reserve Trench
“Behind the front line trenches, soldiers would retreat to them during an attack, medical people were there, kitchens and decision making was there”
Support Trench
“Where the soldiers lived and fought from”
Front Line
An order that forced men to get out of their trenches and travel across no man’s land to capture the enemy’s trench
Over the top
Explain no mans land
This was between the enemy trenches. Entering no man’s land was almost certain death. Most men who were killed in her were left and the smell of death spread for miles.
A collection of wooden slabs placed on a muddy ground (usually in tenches) in order to stabilize it so the soldiers can walk easily in the trenches
Duck boards
Shellshock
Shellshock, now known as PTSD is a reaction to the intensity of the bombardment and fighting that produced a helplessness, which could manifest as panic, fear, flight, or an inability to reason, sleep, walk, or talk.
A record that each new war recruit filled out that included basic personal info, and required a signature indicating a willingness to serve
Attestation paper
Trench foot
A disease and problem in your feet caused from constantly being and walking in the cold, wet, dirty trenches. It causes your foot to be deformed and sick.
Romanticization in ww1
WW1 was heavily romanticized, men believed that going to war was a chance to prove themselves, make their family proud and make money
A formal agreement by opposing sided in a war to stop fighting for a period of time - a truce
Armistice
What is a treaty
Agreement
Treaty of versailles
- The treaty that ended the. state of war between Germany and the Allied powers
- The treaty was signed June 28 1919 and went into effect January 10
- The treaty that ultimately ended the war
- The Treaty of Versailles was the primary treaty produced by the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I
What is the reparations for the treaty Versailles
- Loss of vital coal industrial territories (saar)
- Germany forced to repay the allied countries for their financial expenditures, 6,600 euros, 400 billion today
What was the war guilt clause
This forced the German nation to accept complete responsibility for initiating ww1
What is a weapon of Mass destruction and example
- A weapon that can cause and is meant to cause harm to multiple people at a time
- Ex radioactive, chemical, biological, biological bomb, nuclear
What is a victory bond
A dembt unstrument issued by the governement as a means f borrowing momney to finance its defense initiatives and military efforts during times of war
People that think violence is unjustifiable and that want it to stop
Pacifists
What is vimy ridge called
A birth of a nation
Term used to describe citizens of states legally at war with the British Empire, and who resided in Canada during the war. So basically all of Germany’s allies.
- Immigrants in Canada who originated for the countries the British were fighting
Enemy alien
What is the war measures act
The Act gave the federal government extra powers to maintain security and order during “war, invasion on insurrection”
What is conscription
Conscription forced all male citizens between the ages of 16 and 45 to serve in the military until the end of World War I
Why did we need conscription
To fill empty spaces in the armed forces which could not be filled through voluntary means. We need it to have a stronger military and without it britain would have been much too weak
How did Canadians feel about conscription
French-Canadians, as well as many farmers, unionized workers, non-British immigrants, and other Canadians, generally opposed the measure. Especially young kids did not wanna got lose their lives in battle when they still have so much life to live
What were the problems with conscription
Caused in 1917 one of the biggest debates in Canadian history. was tearing our nation apart and as a young country should have been coming together not tearing apart due to opinions
What was the military voters act
This was a 1917 act of the Parliament of Canada. The legislation was passed in 1917 during ww1, giving the right to vote to all Canadian soldiers even if they were overseas, which was originally not allowed.
- It also allowed the women apart of the military to vote, and women related to servicemen
What is an air ace
- Any fighter pilot credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft.
- Top 10 air aces are… Manfred von Richthofen, Rene Fonck, William Bishop, Ernst Udet, Edward Mannock, Raymond Collishaw, James McCudden, Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, Erich Lowenhardt, Donald MacLaren
“Refers to the aerial combat between fighter aircrafts”
Dog Fight
- This originated from unpredictable and chaotic nature of these aerial battles
Who was the red baron
- Manfred Von Richthofen
- He was a legendary fighter pilot for the german air force, he’s considered one of the best aces with 80 confirmed air combat victories
- Flew the Fokker triplane
- Known for exceptional flying skills and fast learning abilities
Billy Bishop
- William “Billy” Avery Bishop
- He was a Lieutenant Colonel
- He was a great pilot because he has extraordinary eyesight and his consistent practice (earned him a reputation as a crackshot)
Zeppelin Dirigibles
- German airships, used as strategic bombers and a reconnaissance (spies, collection of info) platform by the German imperial and navy
- These provided a new dimension for warfare, allowing for long aerial ranged operations over enemy territory
- These were capable of carrying significant bomb loads and were initially employed for reconnaissance missions, spotting enemy troop movements and positions
Define Propaganda and give an example
- Information, especially biased in nature used to promote or publicize the war, and for soldiers to enlist
- Ex posters and paraphernalia to support war causes
German air fact manufacturer known for its innovation aircraft designs
Fokker
Sopwith Camel
- The plane the Canadian fighter posits flew
- Known for its viscous spin
- Notorious for killing un-experienced flyer
- Killed 413 allied posits for combat caused and 385 for non combat causes
U-Boat
- Unterseeboat
- German submarine, used extensively in ww1
- Played a significant role in naval warfare
- In ww1 they were employed in an unrestricted submarine warfare campaign against allied shipping
The nursing women that worked in the war in the support trenches
- Bluebirds
- Called this because of their blue uniform
Canadian Expeditionary Force
- The army raised by Canada for service overseas in the first world war
- This was a volunteer force raised by Canada for service overseas
- This force fought on the western front in europe during the war and participated in many major battles like vimy ridge, paschendale and somme
Franz Ferdinand
- Archduke of Austria-Hungary
- His assassination was the short term and ultimate cause of world war one
Franz Ferdinand assassination and war cause details
- He was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a bosonian Serb nationalist on June 28th 1914 with his wife sophie also being killed
- This set off a chain reaction of alliances and military mobilizations
- He lived 18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914
Blackhand
- This was a secret society and nationalist organisation based in serbia
- This society was responsible for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
- Black Hand used terrorist methods to promote the liberation of serbs outside serbia from habsburg or ottoman rule and was instrumental in planning the assassination of the austrian archduke
A group of ships sailing together for protection, was designed to help protect cargo in passenger ships during the First and Second World War. The system was created out of desperation.
Convoy system
How did the convoy system work
traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support and can help maintain cohesion within a unit.
Why was the convoy system needed
- To keep ships safe from being shot up from underneath the water
- To get materials over to britain from canada
Merchant Ship
A merchant navy (or merchant marine) is a fleet of commercial vessels that carries troops and supplies in wartime.
When did Canada go to war?
August 4, 1914
Why did Canada go to war
- Even though Canada had been its own country since 1867, its external affairs were still governed by the United Kingdom.
- This meant that once Britain declared war, Canada automatically followed
Was Canada prepared for war
- With a regular army of only 3 110 men and a fledgling navy, Canada was ill-prepared to enter a world conflict.
- Originally they tried to send the canadians home, as they did not think they were “strong enough” for battle but at the end of the day the canadian boys were the ones who kept britain in the war
How did Canadians feel going into war originally
- Many candians repsonded with a sense of duty and patriosim
- thousands of canadians colterred to join the canadian expeditionary force and fight overseas
- Near the end though, nobody wanted to volunteer because they were promised to be home by christmas, and nobody came home
4 causes of world war 1
MAIN, Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism,
The building and maintaining of a strong military force
- Militarism
- Caused people to result to war instead of solving through diplomacy
- Stronger militaries were better and more powerful in war
- A threat to the “balance of power” in Europe was the widespread militaries across the continent
- This caused poor relations between nations
A relationship or association is developed for mutual benefit, usually between nations or organisations
- Alliances
- The alliance system caused a conflict between two countries to spread throughout the whole continent
- “When the European powder keg exploded and countries honoured their alliance commitments, world war 1 began”
- Used to strengthen your position in the world
The policy of extending the power of one country over other countries by acquiring territory or establishing economic and political control
- Imperialism
- European countries imported cheap raw materials such as minerals and lumber to feed their factories
- This gave the European countries economic power- and lead to competition for overseas colonies
- As countries like Britain and France expanded their empires, it resulted in increased tensions among European countries
Held beliefs that promote collective interest, values and identity of a nation
- Austria- Hungary, many people within this nation wanted their own independent countries
- Austria- Hungary started a war on Serbia because Serbia felt as if they could have control over Austria- Hungary.
- Soon other allies helped fight back such as Britain, France and Germany and a war broke out in Europe.
Explain the assassination
Assasintation was the short term cause of WW1. This was the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the austro hungarian throne. After the assassination the government of Austria-Hungary went to Germany for help, and blamed Serbia. Instead of allowing other countries to help work something out, Franz Joseph declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Germany and Russia became involved, and World War I began.
How did militarism directly cause the war
It was creating and arms race among european powers, leading to heightened tensions and an atmosphere of hostility
How did alliances directly cause the war
Creating a web of obligations and entanglements among european powers., The formation of alliances (like triple entente and triple alliance) meant that an attack on one member would result in the involvement of other members, causing localized fights to end up in much more
Synchronised artillery shooting barrage just ahead of them, keeping the enemy down so the Canadians could move forward more safely
Creeping Barrage
How did imperialism directly cause the war
By intensifying competition among European powers for colonies and resources. As nations sought to expand their empires and gain control over territories in Africa and Asia and other reasons, Tensions arose between rival colonial powers, Leading to conflicts over disputed territories
How did nationalism directly cause the war
This directly contributes to the war by fostering intense loyalty and pride into one’s nations, often at the expense of other nations. As nationalist movements swept across europe in the late 19th and rarely 20th centuries ethnic and cultural tensions increased
How did these factors work together to cause the war
These factors worked together and created a “Powder Keg” in Europe, where even a minor incident could cause major conflict.
What is a bluebird
- These were the women that worked in the war, the nurses
- They were called bluebirds because they wore a blue uniform
- They had a very dangerous role, working in a medical support trench behind the front line
Indigenous people in war
- There was a belief in Canada that this war was “a white man’s war” so it discouraged people of colour enlisting and recruitment officers actively resisted allowing them to enlist. Indigenous people suffered this
- People believe the indigenous canadians were “too savage” for war, ad that if caught as prisoners germany would treat them inhumanely
- Only 200 enlisted
- In 1915, in the need fo more men, canada recruited men from reserves, by 1918 400 men enlisted
- some indigenous volunteered out of loyalty to the king, some to get secluded reserves and some for the money. 1 in 3 indigenous men of age and ability enlisted during ww1, also known as the great war
- Indigenous people fought alongside white men and were not segregated. Veterans speak to the fact that they were respected and accepted, racial prejudice wasn’t accepted in the trenches
- Indigenous people were often used in roles based on hunting skills due to racial stereotypes (indigenous people are natural and hunt to live in that time)
African segregated battalions
- African Canadians had to be segregated into their own battalion
- To get around this recruitment officers encouraged segregated battalions. The segregated Battalions were non combat roles, they were support roles like construction. These battalions would only have black people.
Why couldn’t black men get into war
- Black Canadians were not wanted as soldiers (white man’s war) even though they were eager
- In 1915 the federal government declared that enlistees could not be refused based on race
How many black people served in non segregated battalions (all races)
2000 men
Job examples in segregated battalions
Helped provide the lumber required to maintain trenches, helped construct roads and railways, defusing landmines to allow troops to move forward, removing the wounded from the battlefield, digging and building trenches
Construction battalion
- July 5, 1916, the no 2 construction battalion was formed in nova scotia, the first large black military unit in Canadian history. 600-800 were accepted
- Segregated battalion was non combat support
- This story represents determined men who fought racism and discrimination to serve a country. These men didn’t receive the same proper recognition as white soldiers until decades later.
Black people held worst jobs
They put the black men in segregated battalions in the worst jobs, worse than the white peoples jobs, because they didn’t want to make anyone else do it
Difference between German and Canadian trenches, how they were both built
- Germans were Higher on ground and deeper into the earth
- They had much stronger materials for the trenches, compared to the Canadian trenches that was just a hole in mud
- Materials used were… sandbags, wooden planks, woven sticks, tangled barbed wire or even just stinking mud.
Conditions in the trenches
- Shell Shock/PTSD
- Extreme cold
- Little sleep
- Water and mud everywhere
- Trench foot
- Rats, lice
- Horrid sanitation
Battle of Ypres
- First battle of Ypres, Oct 19 1915 to Nov 22 1914
- Second battle, April 22 1915 to May 15 1915
- First time poisonous gas was used, April 1915. This gas burned peoples eyes and lungs and causes people to choke to death. The french front lines were hit hard by this gas so Canadians were sent in as reinforcements.
- Allies suffered over 250,000 casualties
- 6000 Canadian casualties
- Both sides then started equipping there soldiers with the knew discovered weapon: Chlorine gas witch got stronger as the war went on
- The gas was not as effective as hoped and usually disappeared quickly and if the wind suddenly changed it could harm their own soldiers.
- The Canadiens task was to hold 3.5km of the line against heavy german attack
- As soon as the Canadian soldiers arrived in europe they were sent to help with the war in Ypres, Belgium
Battle of Somme
- “The big Push” (Das blutbad)
- July 1 1916 to November 18 1916
- This was the deadliest battle with 1,250,000 casualties on both sides (600,000 in britain and 24,000 Canadians). One of the largest battles in ww1 and in history.
- Tanks were used for the first time in history on September 15. These tanks were developed but the British army.
- When British troops advanced they found that a lot of German defenses had not been terminated or destroyed like it was said, resulting in high casualties for Britain and little progress.
- The first battle fought mostly by britiains new volonteer army
- Britain and France won that battle forcing the Germans to retreat back to the Hindenburg years later
- Britain won despite gore and terror
- 45 kilometer front
- The Allied or British forces sacrificed all those people and only gained 554 square kilometers
- British forces expected to raid the German trenches who’s barbed wire was already taken down, but it was not and the forces were met with rounds and German machine gun fire, the largest slaughter in British history.
- Many blamed General Haig for their success even after months of fighting
Battle of Vimy ridge
- This was Canadas most sucesfull battle, “Birth of a nation”, Canada did so good in this war that it put a good look on them, as a new country
- April 9, 1917 to April 12, 1917 in Vimy
- 530 AM on Monday APril 9th 1917, spanning for two weeks
- This war causes conscription because too many soldiers were dying
- All Canadians 4 divisions fought under Major General Arthur, Both british and french tried to take over Vimy Ridge and both failed so for the first time they turned to the Canadians for help
- Casualties were 3,598 Canadians
- The creeping barrage strategy that they used in somme consisted of the british french and canadians slowly creeping forward towards the german trenches before making there full atack
Machine guns carried forward behind the first troops to hold captured positions. - Canadiens had successfully taken over Vimy Ridge
- Canada won
- German forces had dug in on the height of land at Vimy. From this vantage point they could control all surrounding areas
- Use of mustard gas, this burns skin, respiratory tracts and causes blindness
- In preparation for the war they prepared things like 800 tons of ammunition, Roads and railways were built in preparation
- The victory of Vimy Ridge was significant because it was britain’s first victory in 2 and a half years
- Canadiens decided that this victory gave them pride and being british was not enough they were canadien
- “I never felt like a Canadian until Vimy” - H. F. Wood
- Vimy Ridge Battle was called the “Birth of a Nation” (Canada), because we gained a lot of recognition from how good we did in the war
- Gained 30+ kilometres, most gained
- That fact put a face on canada
What is the creeping barrage
Canadian war used a tactic called the “creeping barrage” to support their advance.. This involved a synchronised artillery shooting barrage just ahead of them, keeping the enemy down so the Canadians could move forward more safely
- This strategy consisted of the british french and canadians slowly creeping forward towards the german trenches before making there full atack
