Britain At War 1914-18 Flashcards
(11 cards)
When was war declared?
Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914, with British troops leaving august 9th
What was expected of the war based on the wars in 1860s Europe?
Based off the short European wars previously, including the Russo-Japanese war of 1905, many expected the war to be short and less reliant on the British population than it was.
What did people expect of the war?
A lot believed that Britain would easily win due to their small but skilled army that voluntarily served up until 1916.
Did people believe the war would unite Britain?
People believed the war would unite the people behind one cause, showing the moral qualities that won them the empire. However, there was an ongoing debate surrounding national efficiency, wanting improvements in the physical and moral health of the nation.
What was the Liberal party’s attitude to war?
Many Liberals were naturally pacifists and therefore against the principle of war. For example, John Morley resigned from the cabinet. However, most Liberals were in favour of war due to growing concerns surrounding the German military expansion.
How did conscription go against Liberal principles?
Conscription was a forced service, going against the previous ideas of new liberalism they had tried to establish through their multiple welfare reforms.
What were the Conservative’s opinions on war?
The vast majority were in support of going to war, and they were united in this belief, as their involvement in the war supported their aims to defend the empire. The conservatives saw Germany, with its authoritarian style of government, as a boundary against revolution.
Why were the Conservatives unsure of going to war?
There were concerns on the effects of the war on the economy, as Germany was Britain’s biggest trading partner.
What was Labour’s response to the War?
Labour found itself deeply divided on the war, as many were pacifists and therefore against the principle of war, however some were strongly patriotic, particularly trade union leaders.
When did Ramsey Macdonald resign as leader of the Labour Party/ what did he do?
September 1914, he formed the Union of Democratic control, which aimed to be the voice for those who opposed the war.
Who replaced Macdonald as Labour Party leader?
Arthur Henderson
