War World 1 mid battle Flashcards
(30 cards)
What did soldiers on both sides expect when the war started in 1914?
They expected to return home victorious
What happened during the Christmas Truce of 1914
An unofficial truce began, where soldiers from both sides stopped shooting, sang carols, swapped cigarettes, and played football in No Man’s Land
How long did the Christmas truce of 1914 last
It lasted two days before the shooting resumed
When and where was poison gas first used in World War I?
In April 1915, at Ypres
Which country first used poison gas, and what gas was it
Germany first used poison gas, with chlorine gas.
What were the later types of poison gas used in World War I?
Phosgene and mustard gas
What effects did mustard gas have on its victims
It temporarily blinded them, burned the skin, and poisoned their lungs
Who had the idea for tanks, and when were they first used in combat
Winston Churchill had the idea, and they were first used on 15 September during the Battle of the Somme
What were the key features of the tanks used in World War I?
Tanks could travel at 6 km/h, were armed with two high-powered naval guns, three machine guns, and required a crew of eight men
How were tanks psychologically impactful during World War I?
Tanks were initially called “metal monsters” and caused psychological damage to the enemy
When did tanks play a significant role in large numbers during World War I?
At the Battle of Cambrai in 1917
What was the main battle of World War I on the Western Front in 1914
The Battle of the Marne, with both sides taking up trench positions by the end of the year
What was the key development on the Western Front in 1915
The Germans launched a gas attack at Ypres, marking the first use of poison gas
What significant battles took place on the Western Front in 1916?
The Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme, both resulting in massive casualties
What occurred on the Western Front in 1917?
The USA joined the Allies, and Canadian soldiers captured Vimy Ridge
What were the major events of 1918 on the Western Front?
Russia left the war, Germany shifted troops, and Ludendorff’s final push was stopped, leading to the ceasefire on 11 November 1918
What year did Britain introduce conscription, and how was the army made up before that
Conscription began in 1916; before that, the British army was made up of volunteers
What tactic was used to pressure young men into joining the army?
Women gave white feathers to men not in uniform, symbolizing cowardice.
How did women contribute to the workforce during World War I?
Women took on men’s jobs in arms factories and on buses and trains
What items were rationed in Britain starting in 1915?
Sugar, meat, butter, fats, jam, marmalade, and tea.
What two things were short in supply as well?
Coal and Potatoes
How did the Allied blockade affect Germany and Austria during World War I?
It caused severe shortages, leading to near starvation by 1918.
How did some workers and company owners benefit from the war?
Workers in key jobs were exempt from military service and earned good money, while owners of firms supplying armies prospered.
What strategy did the British navy use against Germany during World War I?
The British navy blockaded all German ports, cutting off raw materials, machine tools, and food.
