general attitudes to war

Question 1

why was there concerns about war

Answer 1

german naval expansion, the atrocities committed by german troops moving through belgium, german economic competition

Question 2

what built up a popular campaign/sense of hostility

Answer 2

• popular campaign to build up the british fleet to meet a possible threat
• publication of spy and adventure stories- british heroes battled with sinister german plots
• sense that britain might unite behind a war

Question 3

why did some think the war would be short

Answer 3

• short wars in europe in the 1860’s
• russo-japanese war 1904
• forces of russia, france and britains navy- seemed obvious the allies would win

Question 4

why did attitudes change

Answer 4

when it became clear that the war would be long and casualties would be high- no longer a dash for glory- more of a test of resolve, character and willingness to sacrifice for a cause

Question 5

positive attitudes to war

Answer 5

• inital sense of adventure
• chance to break away from dull routine
• group decision- clubs and societies such as cycling clubs, ramblers pre 1914 meant men wanted to maintain the comradeship in war
• led to the introduction of ‘pals’ battalions
• social pressure
• thought that the war would bring progress- ireland unified- protestants and catholics volunteered in large numbers, and suffragettes and suffragists halted their campaign
• war expanded trade unions and increased the bargaining power of labour

Question 6

negative attitudes to war

Answer 6

• quakers opposed war on principal
• for many, conscientious objection was tantamount to treason or cowardice
• political leaders who opposed the war- such as MacDonald, lost their position
• ethical objections led to support for international peace and the League of Nations.

Question 7

Overall, general attitudes towards war in Britain

Answer 7

• Fundamentally support from almost everyone of the political and economic systems, though there are divisions about specific
• widespread support in the righteousness of the war and the threat it represented- so prepared to sacrifice and unify (to some extent)
• (generally) effective government which was able to make concessions and use the war as an excuse to stall in other
• there was a lack of a real military disaster which would destroy civilian resolve.

Question 8

reactions from liberals

Answer 8

• many naturally pacifists, against war
• two cabinet ministers did resign on this principle
• but many libs were in favour of going to war due to concerns over german military expansion
• general support initially

Question 9

reactions from conservatives

Answer 9

• vast majority in support of the war
• united- involvement in the war supported their aims to defend the Empire
• some concerned about the effects it could have on the economy- britain was germanys biggest trading partner

Question 10

reactions from labour

Answer 10

• deeply divided, many pacifists
• believed war was capitalist in nature and the working class would suffer the most
• Labour leaded MacDonald resigned at the start of the war- did not agree with the principle

Question 11

Overall, was there much unrest on the home front

Answer 11

Not really, but sources will lead us to think there is
Civilian life is affected, but people accept some changes by the government to ensure social stability and economic equality.