WWI: "It'll Be Over By Christmas" Flashcards
What is the importance of “It will be over by Christmas”? /2
A saying that countries involved in the WWI believed
Showed overflowing pride in their own superiority and power over others
Why was WWI called the Great War?
Since it was such a massive war with severe consequences
What is a stalemate? /3
A.k.a STOP
Neither side know how to proceed into the fight
Both sides are evenly matched so there is no progress (same artillery/weapons)
How was Europe swallowed into war? /8
1) AH declares was on Serbia by accusing them for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand
2) Serbia calls Russia for support
3) Russia complies since they have always supported Serbia
4) AH calls Germany for support (blank check) due to their alliance and AH is the weakest military
5) Germany gives Russia an ultimatum
6) Russia refuses
7) Germany declares war on Russia
8) Other countries get involved due to alliances (Triple Entente + Central)
What is the cause and effect of the beginning of the WWI? /2(3)
Cause: Enthusiasm was high = NATIONALISM
Many thought it would be over by Christmas
Effect: Tens of thousands of volunteered for the was effort in the Central
and Allied countries
How long did the governments train soldiers in WWI? /2
After barely a month of training, solders are deployed into the battlefields
Really basic training = how to use a rifle
Who is Earl Kitchener? /2
Seen in the BRITISH “Your country needs YOU” sign (referenced by the US)
Has a town in Ontario named after him
What was Germany’s plan that ultimately failed?
Schlieffen Plan
What is the Schlieffen Plan? /6
Designed to avoid war at two fronts
First get rid of France
Second get rid of Russia
Invade Belgium as a way to avoid French confrontation (front)
Based off assumptions (Makes an Ass of U and Me)
Assumed Russia would take long to mobilize their army
What did Germany get right regarding the Schlieffen plan? /2
That France would concentrate on the France-Germany border near Alsace-Lorraine
France ignorée Belgium
Schlieffen plan:
How did German invading forces compare to Belgian army? /2
Belgium had 150,000
Germany outnumbered them 10 to 1
Schlieffen plan:
What did Belgium put its faith in?
Put faith in their underground forts in the city of Liège
Schlieffen plan:
What weapon did Germany use against this? Was it successful? /2
German weapon: Big Bertha
|-> world’s biggest canon/artillery
It was successful
Schlieffen plan:
While Germany was invading Belgium, what was Russia doing? Who came out ahead? /2
Russia was mobilizing their army faster than expected
Russia came out ahead of Germany
Did the Schlieffen plan succeed?
Nope. FAILED
Why was Germany shocked that the Schlieffen plan failed? /5
Did not believe Britain would join in the fight in Belgium : Britain defends Belgium
Taking over France took longer than expected
Russia mobilized their army much faster than Germany predicted (3 weeks rather than 6)
Belgium held Germany off better than expected
France’s defence on Paris was stronger than expected
Why did Britain help Belgium?
Due to their alliance/contract/deal
What was the purpose/goal of the Great War?
Taking over territory
What is the BEF? /2
British Expeditionary Forces
Left the UK to fight in another region (Belgium)
What happened in the fight in a Belgium? /3
The BEF slows down German invasion BUT are hugely outnumbered
BEF and Belgian soldiers are pushed back into French territory
French come to the rescue and support the defence
Why did it take France a while to help support Belgium?
Due to French concentrating their forces at Alsace-Lorraine
What is the 1st Battle of Marne? /4
Early September
Germans had advanced to within 40km of Paris at the River Marne
Combined French and British forces pushing Germany back to the River Aisne
Early into the war = trenches not invented yet
Why were all of Paris taxis brought into the war? /2
Taxi drivers were ordered to transport (French) soldiers as close to river Marne
From the train station from Alsace-Lorraine to Paris, then to the River Marne
What happened October 1914? /4
Germans tried to outflank the Allies by racing to the English Channel (water)
Germans tried to block access to the French ports
|-> prevent the transportation of soldiers and supplies
Outflank: going around the allies
Thankfully, British and French troops blocked the German advance
Where is the English channel?
Between France and Britain
Why were the trenches invented? /2
Protect soldiers from snipers and shell fires
Enforced with wood or concrete
What can you analyze at the Western front? /3
Stays the same for about 3 years
French and allied soldiers are present (British + Dominion of Canada)
Mostly fought on French soil/territory
What proved that the Schlieffen plan failed?
Germany had to fight on two fronts by the end of September
