Era Of The Great War Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is SHELL SHOCK?
A condition many Scottish soldiers suffered from, treated at Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh in 1915.
Shell shock is now recognized as a form of PTSD.
Who was Horatio Bottomley?
A professional recruiter who inspired Scots to fight in the Great War through his speeches.
He called himself an ‘unofficial recruiter of the Empire’.
What does ‘OVER THE TOP’ refer to in a military context?
Troops being sent over the top in frontal assaults, resulting in high casualty numbers.
This tactic was commonly used during World War I.
What role did bagpipes play in the battle of the Somme?
Laidlaw played the bagpipes, which were a symbol of Scottish heritage.
Bagpipes were often played to boost morale among troops.
What is the significance of DUTY in the context of the Great War?
Many Scots felt it was their duty to fight, a sentiment reinforced by professional recruiters and propaganda.
Duty was a key motivating factor for enlistment.
What are Pals Battalions?
Groups of friends who enlisted together, providing comfort and camaraderie for soldiers.
This concept encouraged many men to enlist, knowing they would serve alongside familiar faces.
What is TRENCH FOOT?
A condition caused by prolonged exposure to wet and muddy conditions, leading to severe foot problems.
Many soldiers suffered from trench foot due to the conditions in the trenches.
What were the effects of GAS on Scottish soldiers?
Gas attacks burned many new Scottish recruits, but the thick kilt material offered some protection.
Some historians suggest that the kilt’s thickness helped protect against gas attacks.
What was the Military Service Bill?
Legislation enacted in 1916 that conscripted all able-bodied Scottish men over 18 into the army.
This marked the shift from voluntary enlistment to mandatory service.
How did boredom affect soldiers like James Pratt?
James Pratt served with the Gordon Highlanders and described periods of doing nothing for days on end.
Boredom was a significant psychological challenge for soldiers in the trenches.
What financial incentives did soldiers have to join the army?
Wages in the army were between 8-10 shillings, which was decent compared to low civilian wages.
A dock labourer in Glasgow earned only 6 shillings per week.
What was the perception of Scots as a ‘Martial Race’?
Scots were seen as natural warriors, which encouraged many to enlist to prove this perception.
The idea of Scots as fighters was a common stereotype at the time.
What is the significance of white feathers in the context of enlistment pressure?
White feathers were given to men who did not enlist, symbolizing cowardice and social pressure to join.
This practice was meant to shame men into joining the military.
What role did propaganda play in encouraging enlistment?
Posters and advertisements encouraged men to enlist, often using phrases like ‘SCOTLAND FOREVER’.
Propaganda was a key tool in mobilizing public sentiment for the war effort.
Fill in the blank: Many Scots believed fighting in the Great War would be better than life at home, with _______ of all Scottish rural men volunteering.
2/5
This statistic highlights the high enlistment rates among rural Scots.
What was the role of football teams in encouraging enlistment?
Football teams like Hearts encouraged fans to enlist, leading to significant numbers joining the army.
Community ties and local pride were strong motivators for enlistment.
What was the adventure aspect that encouraged Scots to fight?
Many young men wanted to experience excitement and adventure, believing it was better than their current lives.
This sentiment was particularly strong among rural youth.
What were the disadvantages of the kilt worn by Scottish soldiers?
The kilt harbored lice and had severe disadvantages in wet conditions, contributing to health issues.
Soldiers were often advised to wear two pairs of socks to mitigate these issues.
What is SHELL SHOCK?
A condition many Scottish soldiers suffered from, treated at Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh in 1915.
Shell shock is now recognized as a form of PTSD.
Who was Horatio Bottomley?
A professional recruiter who inspired Scots to fight in the Great War through his speeches.
He called himself an ‘unofficial recruiter of the Empire’.
What does ‘OVER THE TOP’ refer to in a military context?
Troops being sent over the top in frontal assaults, resulting in high casualty numbers.
This tactic was commonly used during World War I.
What role did bagpipes play in the battle of the Somme?
Laidlaw played the bagpipes, which were a symbol of Scottish heritage.
Bagpipes were often played to boost morale among troops.
What is the significance of DUTY in the context of the Great War?
Many Scots felt it was their duty to fight, a sentiment reinforced by professional recruiters and propaganda.
Duty was a key motivating factor for enlistment.
What are Pals Battalions?
Groups of friends who enlisted together, providing comfort and camaraderie for soldiers.
This concept encouraged many men to enlist, knowing they would serve alongside familiar faces.
