Scotland: The Era of the Great War - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key events, figures, legislation, tactical terms, and social movements in Scotland during and after the Great War, compiled strictly from course summary notes.

Line Up, Boys! Recruitment Poster

A World War One Scottish propaganda and recruitment poster encouraging men to enlist in the military.

White feathers

A symbol for cowardice handed out by women during World War One to men who had not enlisted in the military.

Artillery barrage

Heavy artillery shelling aimed at destroying enemy trenches and wire before an infantry attack.

Going over the top

The act of soldiers climbing out of their trenches at zero hour to cross no man's land under heavy enemy fire.

Battle of Loos (1915)

The first battle in which Britain used poison gas; one-third of all casualties sustained in this battle were Scottish.

Battle of the Somme (1916)

A World War One battle whose opening day, 1st July, was nicknamed the 'blackest day in the history of the British Army' after 20,000 British soldiers were killed by 10am.

Battle of Arras (1917)

A battle that saw the largest concentration of Scottish soldiers fighting together in World War One, totaling 10 Scottish divisions.

Trench-foot

A painful medical condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold, bacteria-filled water in trenches, which in severe cases led to amputation.

Shell-shock

A psychological condition suffered by soldiers exposed to continuous enemy shelling and the constant fear of death.

Vickers machine gun

A heavy defensive weapon capable of firing 600 bullets per minute that required a water-jacket to prevent overheating.

Defence of the Realm Act (DORA)

A 1914 Act granting the British government broad powers to control security, censorship, food production, and civilian behavior during the war.

Alien Registration Act (1914)

Law requiring foreign nationals in Britain to register at local police stations, undergo monitoring, and abide by travel restrictions.

Ministry of War Act (1915)

Legislation that restricted factory workers' ability to leave their jobs, regulated wages, and made industrial strikes illegal.

Military Service Act (1916)

Legislation introducing compulsory military conscription in Britain, initially targeting single men and childless widowers aged 18 to 41.

Reserved occupations

Key industrial roles—such as skilled coal mining and shipbuilding engineering—exempted from conscription due to their necessity to the war effort.

Conscientious objectors

Individuals who refused to serve in the armed forces based on moral, political, or religious beliefs.

No Conscription Fellowship

An organization founded in Glasgow in 1915 by conscientious objectors to campaign against military conscription.

Absolutists

Conscientious objectors who refused any form of war service or cooperation, resulting in harsh punishments such as imprisonment or hard labor in work camps.

Dr Elsie Inglis

Scottish doctor who founded the Scottish Women's Hospital and provided medical services on the front line during World War One.

Gretna

The largest munitions and explosives factory in Europe during World War One, employing 30,000 female workers.

Glasgow Women's Housing Association (GWHA)

An organization led by Helen Crawfurd and Mary Barbour to coordinate rent strikes and prevent tenant evictions in Glasgow in 1915.

Rent Restrictions Act (1915)

Legislation passed by the British government to freeze housing rents at 1914 levels following widespread rent strikes in Glasgow.

National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS)

Organization of Suffragists led by Millicent Fawcett that campaigned for women's voting rights using peaceful, constitutional methods.

Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU)

Organization of Suffragettes founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst that employed militant and violent tactics to demand votes for women.

Cat and Mouse Act (1913)

Law permitting the temporary release of hunger-striking Suffragette prisoners until their health recovered, after which they were re-arrested.

1918 Representation of the People Act

Legislation granting voting rights to women over 30, men over 21, and men aged 19 and over with active war service.

1928 Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act

Law granting equal voting rights to all men and women aged 21 and over.

1919 Addison's Act

Legislation providing state subsidies to local councils to build affordable housing following World War One.

1924 Wheatley Housing Act

Act providing increased government subsidies to local councils to expand post-war council house construction.

McCrae's Battalion

The only unofficial 'Pals Battalion' formed in Scotland, created after its leader secured personal assurances from the War Office.