The Era of the Great War Flashcards
(17 cards)
1
Q
Describe the use of new technology during the Great War (6)
A
- Gas was used to force opposing soldiers out of their trenches
- Gas masks made gas less effective
- Machine guns could fire hundreds of bullets per minute
- Tanks were used to protect advancing soldiers
- Tanks were used to destroy enemy defences such as barbed wires
- Tanks could cross No Man’s Land
- Aircraft were used to spot enemy positions
2
Q
Describe the restrictions introduced under D.O.R.A (6)
A
- Workers lost the right to strike
- Banned the sale of binoculars and fireworks
- Restricted the sale of alcohol
- Restricted freedom of speech by censoring different magazines
- No one was allowed to melt down gold or silver
- No one was allowed to ring church bells
3
Q
Explain why the Great War had an impact on the fishing and agriculture industries (6)
A
- The navy took control of many fishing boats and restricted where boats could fish
- Many fishing boats were converted into minesweepers which meant less fish were caught
- German U-boats patrolled the North Sea which meant fishing was reduced
- Many fishing boats were damaged during the war and weren’t replaced
- The fishing industry went into decline following the war due to a loss of foreign markets
- After the war there was an increase in foreign competition which made fishing less profitable
4
Q
Describe the use of poison gas on the Western Front (4)
A
- Gas was used to force opposing troops out of trenches
- Mustard gas caused burns to any exposed skin
- Gas masks nullified the effectiveness of gas
- Wind would sometimes change direction and blow the gas into your own troops
5
Q
Explain why Scotland’s heavy industry declined post-war (6)
A
- The loss of many international export markets led to a decline in many heavy industries
- Cheaper coal from abroad led to less demand
- Development of new fuels meant the coal industry declined
- Demand for war goods fell leading to a decline in the iron and steel industry
- Increased foreign competition led to the closing of over half of Scotland’s iron furnaces
- After 1920, Scotland’s shipyards went into decline due to a lack of orders
6
Q
Describe the rent strikes during the Great War (6)
A
- During the war demand for housing in Glasgow soared so landlords increased rent
- In February 1915, local women led by Mary Barbour formed the Glasgow Women’s Housing Association
- In May 1915, over 25,000 tenants had joined the protest
- In November 1915, when striking tenants were taking to courts workers threatened to strike
- Women blocked access to tenement closes to stop sheriff officers evicting tenants
- Women also pelted sheriff officers with objects to prevent them carrying out evictions
7
Q
Describe the use of tanks on the Western Front (4)
A
- Destroyed enemy defence such as barbed wire
- Used to shield advancing soldiers
- Invoked fear when they were first used
- Were slow, got stuck in the mud, and broke down often
8
Q
Explain why some people became conscientious objectors (6)
A
- Belonged to pacifist religious groups like the Quakers
- Belonged to political parties that opposed the war such as the ILP
- Moral groups such as believing killing is wring
- Soldiers became objectors after their experience of fighting
- Thought it was wrong to fight as Scotland and the UK weren’t being directly threatened
- Thought peace should be achieved through negotiations rather than war
9
Q
Describe the militant tactics used by the Suffragettes (6)
A
- Mary “Slasher” Richardson destroyed a world renowned painting in London
- Attack high-profile politicians such as Churchill being attacked with a whip
- Use chalk and paint to vandalise roads
- Cut telephone wires
- Heckle MPs in Parliament and interrupt political meetings
- Chain themselves to railings of Parliament
10
Q
Explain why rationing was introduced during the Great War (6)
A
- Food shortages due to the German U-boat campaign
- Concern that food shortages would lead to starvation
- The priority was to provide food to the soldiers on the front line
- Lack of skilled workers on farms meant food production suffered
- Fear of food riots and the impact of food shortages on public morale
- Need to slow down rising prises and insure that the whole of society could eat rather than just the rich
11
Q
Explain why the Great war changed employment opportunities for women (6)
A
- New employment opportunities in the nursing/medical care such as VAD FANY
- Women took on a variety of new jobs such as postwomen
- Glasgow was the first city in Britain to employ female tram drivers and conductresses
- Expansive of the munition industry created lots of new employment opportunities for women
- Women began to be employed in traditional male roles
- Women gained new skills which helped them retain jobs following the war
12
Q
Explain why the Suffragettes harmed the cause of votes for women (6)
A
- Suffragettes slashing paintings upset many people
- Suffragettes smashed shop windows which angered business owners
- Suffragettes interrupted political meetings which annoyed politicians
- Attacking politicians made many view Suffragettes as too immature to vote
- Chaining themselves to public buildings made many view Suffragettes as a nuisance
- Militancy created lots of bad publicity which portrayed women as unfit to vote
13
Q
Describe the conditions soldiers faced in the trenches (6)
A
- Due to the trenches often being flooded, many soldiers suffered from Trench Foot from standing in the water constantly
- Constant strain of gunfire due to the threat of snipers
- Shell shock affected many because of the regular artillery attacks and the sight of others dying
- Discomfort of lice, which caused itching and could spread Trench Fever
- The soldiers had very little protection from the weather resulting in it being really cold in winter
- Rats were common and grew to massive sizes from eating bodies in ‘No Man’s Land’
14
Q
Explain why so many Scots volunteered to fight in the Great War (6)
A
- People chose to escape unemployment by taking the ‘King’s Shilling’ and gaining a job in the army
- Men not in uniform were presented with white feathers by women to show they were cowards and shame them into joining up
- Posters frequently appealed to the men’s patriotic side with slogans such as ‘Your country needs you’
- Anti-German propaganda highlighted the war crimes committed by Germans against the Belgians
- Pressure was applied to those who hadn’t enlisted by friends and family that were unhappy about their reluctance to go to war
- Pal’s Battalions meant friends and colleagues from one community could go to war together
15
Q
Explain why people were unhappy with D.O.R.A. (6)
A
- People were unhappy that they couldn’t strike for better pay and conditions
- People were upset with the censorship of private correspondance related to the war
- Pub owners were unhappy with restrictions on alcohol and opening times as it effected their ability to make a living
- People resented the restrictions on railroads and docks
- People resented other government restrictions like rationing and conscription
- People resented the fact you could be fined or arrested for breaking the terms of D.O.R.A.
16
Q
Describe how conscientious objectors were treated (6)
A
- In their communities conscientious objects were usually subject to verbal and physical abuse
- Often ignored or refused service in shops
- Women would give these men white feathers to signify cowardice
- Special prisons and work camps were opened up in addition to ordinary prisons in which many objectors were sent
- Men who refused to enlist had to face military discipline
- Some were sentenced to death for refusing order
17
Q
Describe the use of machine guns on the Western Front (4)
A
- The machine guns casualty rate was much higher than that of a normal rifle as it could fire hundreds of bullets per minute
- The machine gun had a longer range than normal rifles
- It was the most effective weapon in the trenches but lacked mobility
- Sometimes less effective as the barrel overheated and got jammed
