A Canadian Perspective on The World Wars - Grade 10 History

Remote Causes of WW1

A ~ Awful Governments
N ~ Nationalism
I ~ Imperialism
M ~ Militarism
A ~ Alliances
L ~ List of Events

Turkey, 1914

A very weak despotism, ruled by a corrupt government. Turkey was known as 'the sick man of Europe'. Once,
Turkey had ruled all of the Balkans, but now the peoples of that area were rebelling and driving the Turks out - this
created a significant area of instability in Europe: 'the Balkan pressure-cooker'.

Otto Von Bismack

Wilhelm I's prime minister. He was the master of realpolitik. Led the German unification movement.

Wanted to create Germany, so he creates a scenario that will provoke France to start a war

Militarism (define)

A policy of glorifying military power and keeping a standing army always prepared for war
*War is Inevitable
Goal: To Keep a Balance of Power and Act as a "Deterrent" of war
Reasons: Ego, Influence, Power, Ethic Beliefs, Rational, Resources

Alliances (Define)

a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations.

Never seen before world war 1

Sought protection in the size of their armies

**Alliances are what caused the war - countries felt obligated to help each other to go to war

Goal: To Check Balance of Powers. For Protection and Power, to Deter War

Reasons: Based on Insecurities, Smaller Countries could cause conflict easier

Empires Before WW1

Define: Group of states + Countries under a single supreme authority (Emperor/Empress)

Examples: Imperial Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, British Empire, French Empire

Language Dictates Country Borders after WW1

Imperial Germany

(1871-1918)

Former German empire led by Kaiser Wilhelm II during World War I; dissolved with his abdication in 1918 and subsequently divided into Germany and new states of Poland and Czechoslovakia (November Revolution)

Germany was massively powerful, with the most up-to-date industry in the world. Germany had become a united
country for the first time in 1870-1. At first, the Chancellor Otto von Bismarck was careful not to annoy other
countries, but after 1890 the slightly-mad Kaiser Wilhelm II took over the government.

Austria-Hungary

Central Europe ~ 1867 - 1918

This Central Power empire during WWI, started the war with their invasion of Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 . It was made up of Austria, Hungary and several other nations and territories. After World War I it split up into:

Czech, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Italy

Had once been a strong empire, but now the government was weak and divided (the Austrians and the Hungarians
hated each other). Austria-Hungary had been built up by marriage and diplomacy during the Middle Ages, and was
known as the 'polyglot (many languages) empire' because of all the different races in it. The Habsburg rulers were
stupid and inbred, and Emperor Franz Josef was old and autocratic.

Ottoman Empire

14th Century - 20th Century

South-eastern Europe, West Asia, North Africa, South East Central Europe

British Empire

1583 - 1997

What is now the United Kingdom and all the territories and colonies under its control; this empire consisted of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and vast portions of Africa, Canada, Egypt,

Britain was a democracy with a huge empire, but until 1900 Britain believed in 'splendid isolation' - keeping out of
affairs in Europe. Neither do you want to go running away with the idea that Britain had an efficient or modern
government. The army was still dominated by the aristocracy, and women were not given the vote until 1918.

French Empire

France was a democracy, but the French government was weak. In 1870-1, when Germany was trying to become a
united country, France had gone to war to try to stop it. The Germans won the war easily, and took the area of
Alsace Lorraine from France. The French were desperate for revenge.

Naval Race between Britain and Germany (Militarism)

1898: Begins
1908: Britain Builds Dreadnaughts
Germany built massive ships which were designed to attack Britain. (Did nothing but stay in the harbor)
- Prevented Germany from being able to fight Russia + France

Armies (Militarism)

1914: Germany had the largest Army but Russia had the fastest Growing Army - Germany felt Threatened and did not think they could defeat Russia so easily

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente

Britain, France, Russia

Russia, 1914

Russia was huge but backward. Nicholas II was a weak and ineffectual ruler, dominated by his wife and the 'mad
monk' Rasputin. He kept power by setting the Cossacks on the mob, and by his Okhrana (secret police). Russia
lost a war to Japan disastrously in 1904.

Italy in 1914

A new country formed in 1866. A weak ruler, chaotic governments and a pathetic army. The Mafia and
corruption everywhere.

List of Events of Alliances

1. Kaiser Wilhelm Alienates Russia (Too young, made mistake) - Rejected Renewance of Reinsurance Treaty
2. 1879. Dual Alliance: Germany - Austria-Hungary
3. 1882. Triple Alliance - Italy Joins
4. 1894. France Alliance w/ Russia
5. 1904. Entente Cordial (Friendly Relationship): Britain - France
6. 1907. Triple Entente: Britain - Russia (Anglo-Russian Convention)
7. 1902: Naval Treaty: Japan - Britain

Germany and Ottoman Empire (Alliance)

On January 22, 1915, a more general alliance was signed between the Ottoman Empire and Germany that was to last five years. On September 28, 1916, the two agreed not to sign a separate peace with the Allies. In October 1917, the 1915 treaty was amended to enhance military cooperation between the empires.

Russia + Serbia (Alliance)

Although there was no formal alliance between Russia and Serbia, their close bilateral links provided Russia with a route into the crumbling Ottoman Empire, where Germany also had significant interests.

Imperialism (Define)

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

-Causes Rivalry between Countries for Resources and Territories

Goal: To Conquer + rule others and expand their colonies, influence, resources

Wants: Units of Bargain, Resource, New Markets, To be a part of the action

*B4 WW1, It was alright to conquer other territories, especially if inhabited by "inferior" races

(1900's: Britain Covered 1/5 of Earth)

Fashoda Incident

Britain and France wanted to Colonize All of Africa
Britain: Cairo - Cape town (Vertical)
France: Atlantic - Red Sea (Horizontal)

Britain and France met in Fashoda, Sudan 1898

Almost War, but instead lead to Diplomatic Reconciliation that lead to the alliance which finished the World War 1

*Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted more land too*

Africa Colonization (Imperialism)

19th Century - France, Belgium, Italy, Britain, Germany - Wanted to colonize Africa

Nationalism (Define)

Concept that a nation is composed of people joined together by bonds - political & ethnic boundaries should coincide. (extreme pride in one's nation)

Examples:
*Fear of losing Identity to empires (Want to be free) - Races ruled by Turkey (Romania, Bulgaria)
*Larger Countries become more Bellicose

Reasons:
*Created Meanings to listen to leaders

Effects:
-Dislike/Intolerance for other races
- Countries fight for their own country
*Willing to accept Slaughter

Government Propaganda

(Anthems, Press, Speeches)
- Encourage war as best option
*Necessity for war to protect your country

Not only were many of the governments of Europe
autocracies (ruled by one man), they had stupid and
corrupt governments. Very few of the countries of
Europe were democracies - it is hard for a democracy to
go to war because the people (not just an individual
ruler) need to agree to go to war.
Remember also that in these days there was no idea
of going to war for the 'right' reasons - many people in
those days thought it was alright to go to war simply to
win more power and territory for the ruler.

Anti-Hungarian Sentiments (Nationalism)

Serbians wanted to be free from Austria Hungary

The treaty was opposed by Austria-Hungary, which disliked encouragement of Slav nationalism, and by the British, who feared the new Bulgarian state would become a Russian satellite and, as such, a threat to Istanbul as well as to British influence in the eastern Mediterranean.

Serbian Black Hand Assassinated Archduke Ferdinand and his Wife (Heir to Austria-Hungarian Throne)

Franco-Prussian War Effects

1870-71: Franco-Prussian War was massive. It led directly to the creation of the German Empire

The Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) unified Germany, disrupting European power dynamics. It sparked intense nationalism, French revanchism, and militarism, leading to the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and creating deep Franco-German enmity. These factors, combined with shifting alliances and an arms race, set the stage for World War I in 1914.

Clemenceau, Poincare (Politicians, hate Germans because of France loss

The Growing Crisis Acronym

1900-1914 [BiG FaT BABA]
Boer War - 1899-1900
German Naval Law - 1900
First Moroccan Crisis - 1906
Telegraph Article - 1908
Bosnian Crisis - 1908
Agadir Crisis - 1911
Balkan War - 1912-13
Assassination in Sarajevo - 1914

Boer War: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1899-1900
British colony/colonial war against Dutch Boer settlers in South Africa - Britain was losing

Cause: Kaiser Wilhelm supports Boers, saying Brtain had no right to conquer South Africa

Effect: Britain becomes outraged, thinking Germany was working towards challenging Britain's world Empire

Support: Imperialism, Nationalism

German Naval Law: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1900
Kaiser Wilhelm builds up navy saying "Germany should sail all around the world", take for Germany "a place in the sun"

Cause: Britain builds 4 dreadnought but Germany refuses to limit their ship building so the British people wanted 8 dreadnoughts

Effect: British sea power (the cause of their greatness) felt threated so much that they made a naval alliance with Japan. The British colonies also felt threatened by the German navy

By the start of WW1, British navy was much larger than German navy so arguably not a cause of WW1

Support: Militarism, Imperialism

First Moroccan Crisis: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1906
France hoped to conquer Morocco, Africa and Britain had to help because of their Entente Cordial (1904).

Events: Kaiser Wilhelm said they would protect Morocco (1905)

Effect: French became angry with Germany. Britain felt their empire threatened by Germany

**Algeciras Conference: Britain, France, Russia forced Germany to stay out of Morocco (1906)
- Germany got annoyed which scared Britain and Russia into forming the final part to the triple entente (1907)

Support: Imperialism, Alliances

Telegraph Article: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1908
Kaiser Wilhelm says in an interview to the Daily Telegraph "I am friends with Britain" but "The English are mad!"
German people hated Britain and demanded: "We must have a powerful fleet to protect our interests in even the most distant seas!"

Effect: Article enraged Britain -> Convinced that the Germans wanted to challenge the British Empire

Support: Nationalism, Militarism

Bosnian Crisis: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1908
Revolution in Turkey allows for Austria Hungary to annex Bosnia

Effect: Serbia wanted to unite Serbs but could not anymore.
-Assassinated Ferdinand
-Serbia Asked Russia for help
-Russia called European Conference to ask for Britain, France Support: Failed, received humiliation
-Helped cause war in 1914 because they vowed not to back down again

Support:

Agadir Crisis: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1911
Moroccan Revolution required France to send army to put them down and take over country

Cause: Kaiser Wilhelm sends a gunboat: Panther to Moroccan port of Agadir. "Germany deliberately preparing to destroy British Empire ... Britain alone stands in the way of Germany's path toe world power " - Daily Mail

Effect: French + British are furious - Lloyd George: "British interests were vitally affected"
-Germany forced to back down + remove guns
-given just a small piece of Congo Jungle
Increased Germany Resentment
Kaiser was determined to not be the loser in the next crisis

Support: Imperialism, Nationalism

Balkan War: What, Cause, Effect, Support

1912-13
Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria (Balkan Leagues) attacked Turkey - captured almost all of European Turkey

Cause: Sir Edward Grey (British Foreign Secretary) arranges peace conference in London
-Bulgarians unhappy w. their deal + attacks Serbia but loses
Britain and Germany use their influence to end the war
-Treaty of Bucharest, 1913

Effects: Serbia becomes most powerful Balkan state - Next goal: Austria
-Kaiser Wilhelm though that Sir Edward Grey's cooperation was a sign of weakness and that they would cooperate again in the future

Support:

Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (what)

A short term cause of the war, when Franz Ferdinand is assassinated by Serbian Nationalists (Rebels), The Black Hand

Steps of Killing Ferdinand

Pre-Assassination
1. 28 June 1914: As a wedding gift, Archduke Ferdinand brings wife Sofia to Sarajevo, Bosnia as a routine inspection of troops which were meant to dissuade Serbian invasions

2. 7 Bosnian Serbs part of the Black Hand wait in ambush (Wants terrorist war to free Bosnia from Austrian control)
-The Archduke was warned by spies and Pasic (Serbian Prime Minister) that it was dangerous but he did not listen
-Only 120 policemen were on duty in Sarajevo

Assassination Progression
1. Nedeljko Cabrinovic throws a bomb that bounces off Archduke's car blows up the one behind
-Archduke speeds away to the town hall

2. Tour is cancelled; Ferdinand goes to the Hospital istead bu doesn't inform the chauffeur so they make a wrong turn and must stop to turn around

3. 19 year old Gavrilo Princip happened to be there, in front of Schiller's store
-He shot twice, one at Ferdinand's jugular, and the other missed Potiorek and hit Sofia in the stomach: 11:30 AM, June 28, 1914

Who was the Black Hand?

A Serbian terrorist group waging war to free Bisonia from Austrian Control
-Nationalistic, wanted a pan Slavic country (1908)
Austria Army wanted to destroy the Black Hand so they sent 70 000 troops on military maneuvers in Bosnia (1914)

Reasons for Assassinating Ferdinand

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 by Gavrilo Princip was driven by intense Slavic nationalism and the desire for independence from Austro-Hungarian rule. Princip and his co-conspirators, part of the Black Hand, aimed to create a Greater Serbia, uniting Slavic territories. They saw Ferdinand's potential reforms as a threat to their goal of Slavic autonomy. Additionally, regional tensions and Serbian ambitions clashed with Austria-Hungary's dominance in the Balkans. The act was also symbolic, striking at the heart of an empire perceived as oppressive, and it triggered a chain of alliances, leading to World War I.

Why the Assassination lead to war

- Austria Hungary wanted war anyways
-They hated Serbia
-Other countries were forced to follow because of alliances
-Serbia did not allow Austria Hungary to investigate into their government

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand led to war because it triggered Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia, supported by Germany. Serbia's partial refusal escalated tensions. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, activating a web of alliances: Russia mobilized to support Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia, and then on Russia's ally, France. Germany's invasion of Belgium brought Britain into the conflict, rapidly expanding a localized incident into World War I.

July Crisis - Edit this slide

The July Crisis was a series of diplomatic and military escalations in July 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It involved Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia, backed by Germany, Serbia's partial compliance, and the mobilizations of Russia, Germany, and their allies. The crisis culminated in declarations of war, transforming a regional conflict into World War I due to the intricate system of alliances among the great powers.

The World War occurred just five weeks after the assassination

4 Steps to War

ARSE - June-Aug 1914 [ARSE]
Austria Declares War
Russia Mobilizes
Schlieffen Plan
England Joins in

Austria Declares War

On July 28, 1914, one month to the day after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were killed by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, effectively beginning the First World War.

Reason why Austria Declares War on Serbia

Serbia was a nationalistic threat to Austrian-Hungarian Empire
Chief of Staff General Hotzendorf asked for a surprise attack to destroy Servia 20+ times in 8 years

Used the assassination of Ferdinand to start the war

5 July 1914

Austria-Hungary gets blank cheque from Germany to support them

23 July 1914

Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to Serbia (Made it challenging in hope that it could not be completed)

25 July 1914

Serbia agrees to only 9 of the 10 demands
The Serbian response was conciliatory (even Kaiser Wilhelm agreed)
-> Serbs wouldn't cooperate with their government being investigated by Austria-Hungary for who assassinated Ferdinand

Russia mobilises army

30 July 1914 - As Austria Hungary shells Serbian Capital (Belgrade) Serbia Asks Russians for help

24 July 1914

Russia Doesn't want war; Russian Grand Council decided not to give military support

Instead would appeal to conference of Great Powers (Even Rasputin Agrees)

29 July 1014

1. Tsar Nicholas didn't want to let Serbia Down like in Bosnian Crisis of 1908.

2. Decided to mobilize army

3. Tsar Nicholas begs Kaiser Wilhelm (Friend and Cousin) To try to stop allies from going to war

31 July 1914

1. Nicholas only wanted against Austria-Hungary but generals told him he had to mobilize against Germany too

2. Nicholas sent Telegraph to Kaiser Wilhelm that they weren't actually mobilizing against them

Schlieffen Plan

Mobilization was a plan of attack in Schlieffen Plan

Russia was mobilizing too fast and France was not going to war which was not good for the Schlieffen Plan

Germany Felt Threatened: General Motke "The Fatherland is in danger"

1 August 1914 - Germany

Germany declares war on Russia, Gives Orders to Mobilize Troops

3 August 1914 - Germany

Germany claims that France bombed German Nuremberg

Germany Declares war on France

4 August 1914 - Germany

German troops march to invade France making France declare war on Germany

England Joins in

British Foreign Secretary: Sir Edward Grey tried to make different countries negotiate with each other instead

1 Aug 1914 - England

Grey Proposed to Germany if Britain will be neutral if Germany doesn't invade France

Kaiser Wilhelm agreed but his generals did not agree

2 Aug 1914 - England

Error in Schlieffen Plan: Belgium refuses to allow Germany to attack France through them so Germany invades Belgium making England Angry

4 Aug 1914 - England

Treaty of 1839 - Forced Britain to help Belgium if invaded
Britain sent Germany an ultimatum to withdraw from Belgium but Germany Refused
Therefore Britain had to go protect Germany

Captain James Lloyd Evans died at what period of World War 1?

The Final Hundred Days

What happened to the Canadian Expeditionary Force upon arrival in England?

They were first housed in England and trained

The Canadian Expeditionary Force arrived in Salisbury Plain in the shadow of which famous British monument?

Stonehedge

The Canadian Expeditionary Force was mobilised at a military camp in ___________?

Valcartier, Quebec

What peculiar medical challenge did Canadian soldiers have to contend caused mainly by the amount of time spent in the trenches?

Itch, Lice, Scabies

What was the first weapon of war that demonstrated to Canadians that World War 1 was a different type of war?

Gas attacks

The reclaiming of the city of Cambrais claimed what percentage of the entire Canadian contigent in World War 1?

20 per cent

The most memorable victory of Canadian soldiers in World War 1 was at which battle?

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

One of the famed underground tunnels critical in the Battle of Vimy Ridge was?

The Goodman Subway Tunnel

In World War 1, Huns were a reference to which soldiers?

In World War I, the term "Huns" was used by Allied forces as a derogatory reference to German soldiers. The nickname was intended to invoke images of the ancient barbaric Huns led by Attila, suggesting brutality and savagery. The term gained popularity after Kaiser Wilhelm II reportedly urged his troops in 1900 to be as merciless as the Huns in their actions during the Boxer Rebellion.

What is the ratio of Canadians that died in World War 1?

Nearly 1 in 10

What is the number of Canadians that served in World War 1

More than 600,000 Canadians

World War 1 Canadian Events - CBC Video (8)

1. Canada Enlists across the country
2. Canadian Expeditionary Force Mobilized at Valcartier, Quebec - First Contingent : 31 000
3. Soldiers board S.S. Megantic (30 Ship Fleet)
4. Canadians arrive at Salisbury Plains by Stonehenge - experienced 89 days of rain
5. 6 months later, 2nd contingent is mobilized and sent to Shorncliffe camp instead
6. April 1915, Ieper Belgium, Germans attack w/ chlorine gas
7. Vimy Ridge, April 9th, 1917 - Goodman's Subway
->1600m Long, for transporting resources, storing ammunition, communication lines, command posts
-> Was a literal life: Filled with graffiti, carvings, Canadian etched names - people lived, ate toileted in those tunnels
8. Final 100 Days begin - Hard for Canadians
-960 fell on September 1st, 1918, deadliest of last 100 days
-46000 killed, wounded, prisoner | almost 20% of all causalities in the war during last 100 days

Brooding Soldier Memorial

St Julia, March - April, 1915
To commemorate massive death from chlorine attacks - 1000+

Provincial Archives

Charlottetown
Holds Frank Walker's war journal, edited by his daughter

Canadian Memorial of Vimy Ridge, April 9, 1917

Honors every single Canadian Solider killed in the great war, even those without a grave

Monchy le Preux - Caribou Monument

A testament to a bloody Newfoundland Sacrifice - 26th August, 1918 - one of the first villages Canada retook

- Known graves were scattered all along the road there that can be used to trace to every Canadian regiment and trace through the length of the 100 day battles by going from cemetery to cemetery

Recruiting Soldiers - Britain

At the start of the war - Britain asked volunteer males aged 19-30 to join the army

Milestones of recruiting British Soldiers

Christmas 1914: 1 million men enlisted
January 1916: 2.5 million agreed to fight

Propaganda Use by Britain in WW1

Government uses censorship to hide facts about the war
News Articles about victories and minimal news about losses
200 000+ under 18 year olds lied about their age to enlist

How did female pressure affect war participation?

The White Feather Campaign was used which had women handing out white feathers to symbolize cowardice for not enlisting

When and how was Conscription introduced in Britain?

In the summer of 1916: people where less willing to enlist so any man between 18-41 became forced to join the army
Resulted in 2.5 million more men enlisting

What were the Pals Battalions and how did they fail?

The government thought the fighting with your friends and families would encourage people to enlist

These battalions resulted in entire communities all lost at the same time

Conscientious Objectors

Person who refuses to enter the military or bear arms due to moral or religious reasons

About 16000 refused to fight
Most still joined in factories, mines, stretcher bearers

1500 refused to do anything so they were sent to prison
- 69 people died in prison

How did Canada Join the War?

Canada join because Britain was involved and it was a colony of Britain

Aug 1st 1914 - Prime Minister Borden offers 25 000 men to Britain
Aug 6th - The offer is accepted by Britain

Borden, Wilfred Laurier, other politicians, all agreed that Canada should stand shoulder to shoulder with Britain in the war

Who is given the task of assembling and training the soldiers?

Sam Hughes is given the task of assembling and training the 25000 volunteers

He ended up getting 30000 who enlisted by September, 1914

He trained them in Valcartier, Quebec

How did Canada bring soldiers to the war?

Oct 3rd, 1914 - First Contingent sets sail for Britain
Oct 14, 1914 - Contingent arrives on Salisbury Plains, England
- The spend 4 months waiting for battle, enduring 89/123 days of rain
Feb, 1915 - First Canadian Division is sent to France to be trained by veteran British Officers

Sam Hughes is responsible for equipping the troops

Ross Rifles - Hughes' Mistake - Explain

Ross Rifles were used in the Boer War and Hughes refused to switch away from them to the improved Leo Enfield Rifles

The rifles were bad quality - they would jam in rapid fire and only worked effectively with Canadian manufactured equipment which were not available in Europe

Hughes' poor choices + opinions resulted in a disorganized and ill-prepared Canadian army

Sir Robert Borden

Canada's Prime Minister during WW1(1914). He gave women the right to vote in 1917 and introduced conscription.

Born in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, 1854
Became a lawyer without an education
Opposed Wilfred Laurier as a Conservative and was elected in 1911 prior to the war
Became an active and diligent leader during the war

Oversaw aid in the Great Fire, and the Halifax Explosion

Made the decision to conscript - Immigrants did not get the right to vote but Women did

Is on the $100 bill

Sam Hughes

The man in charge of Canada's armament industry (Minister of Militia) He took advantage of his position by awarding large government contracts to his friends who were profiteers. The ministry of Militia soon became slowed down in patronage, inefficiency and confusion. Bad quality items were made and sent over for the soldiers to use. the shell committee was created and by 1917 this man was fired.

Guilted and Coerced Robert Borden

Had a known temperament and choice words

Managed to get 30000 recruits for the Canadian Army during the war

Built the training camp in Valcartier, Quebec

Physical and Psychological Impacts of WW1

Physical Effects:
Battle Injuries: Soldiers faced wounds from gunfire, shrapnel, and artillery. These injuries often led to amputations, disfigurement, and lifelong disabilities.

Trench Conditions: Living in trenches exposed soldiers to harsh elements, dampness, and unsanitary conditions. Trench foot, infections, and diseases were rampant.

Gas Attacks: Chemical warfare caused severe respiratory damage, skin burns, and long-term health issues.
Malnutrition: Food shortages and poor nutrition weakened soldiers' bodies.

Shell Shock: A condition characterized by nervous complaints due to the stresses of combat. Symptoms included trembling, headaches, memory loss, and partial paralysis12.

Psychological Effects:
Shell Shock (PTSD): Soldiers suffered from mental trauma due to the horrors of war. Symptoms included anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional numbness.

Depression and Anxiety: Witnessing death, destruction, and loss took a toll on mental health.

Survivor's Guilt: Soldiers who survived battles often grappled with guilt over fallen comrades.

Desensitization: Exposure to violence led to emotional desensitization.

Impact on Civilians: Civilians faced fear, grief, and trauma from bombings, displacement, and loss of loved ones.

Long-Term Impact:
Modern Trauma Understanding: WWI contributed to the study of trauma and psychiatric disorders.

Art and Literature: The war inspired powerful works of art and literature that explored human suffering and resilience.

Legacy: The trauma of WWI echoes in conflicts today, shaping global politics and mental health awareness345.

What is Trench Warefare?

a type of combat in which opposing troops fight from trenches facing each other in holes in the ground.

The trenches spanned 640km from English Channel to Switzerland

Trenches were meant to protect soldiers and were supported by machine guns, snipers, and artillery, sandbags, barbed wire, hand grenades

In between: No Man's Land: Bomb Craters + Rotting remains of dead soldiers

How did soldiers attack the Enemy Trenches?

Occasionally, soldiers attempted to capture enemy trenches.
-Attackers move across no man's land
- Defenders pick them off with rifles and machine guns

One large push = about 100km of useless ground, then pushed back to original trench

Millions of death was only about a few Km ground gained in either direction throughout the war

Stalemate - complete inability to move forward and refusal to be pushed back

What were some major attacks?

Gallipoli (15-16) Britain, Australia, New Zealand fight a losing battle against Turkey

Battle of Jutland (16) Longest Naval Battle

Brusilov Offensive (16) - Russia vs Austria Hungary

Battle of Megiddo (18) Britain vs Germany + Turkey in Palestine

Battle of Marne (14) Germany vs Britain and France

Battle of Verdun(16) - Longest battle of war - Germany fights French Troops

Battle of Somme (1916) - British and French attack Germany near River Somme

Third Battle of Ypres (17) - Passchendaele - Troops from Britain and Empire fight German Soldiers

German Spring Offensive (18) - Huge German attack on British and French Positions

Battle of Amiens (18) British and French attacks on German positions

What are the main parts of the trench

Duckboards : Placed on the ground to stop troops sinking in the mud
Fire step : Soldiers stood on these to look and fire ' over the top ' 3 Dugouts : Rooms dug out of the back wall of trenches
Periscope : Enabled troops to see ' over the top ' without being shot
Barbed wire : Slowed down attacking troops
Machine gun : Mowed down attacking troops
Concrete bunker : Reinforced and underground
Artillery : Huge guns that fired enormous shells( bombs )
Machine gun nest : Protected machine - gunner
Sandbags : Reinforced walls , muffled explosions and soaked up moisture
Aeroplanes : Helped spot targets for artillery , dropped bombs on I the enemy and shot down enemy planes
Communication trench : Linked front line trench to reserve trenches
Reserve trenches : Where soldiers went to rest or to wait to go to the front line
Gas bell : Rung to tell troops to put on gas masks
No man's land : Around 50m to 200m wide

What was Trench life like in WW1?

1. Went over top to face enemy
2. Did guard duty , collected food , wrote letters , cooked , cleaned , repaired trenches
3. Boiling in summer , freezing in winter
-ulcers , boils , pneumonia , dysentry , brunchitis
4. Days in knee deep water = trench foot
5. keeping clean was tough - infested w / lice and rats roamed free
6 . Food: basic stew , bread, hard biscuits .

What was Boredom like in the Trenches?

Repetitive routine , lack of variety , psychological toll , all contributed to Boredom in the trenches .
Coping:
Humour : Developing dark humour and reading The Wiper Times
Games : Cards , wrote letters, shared stories
Alcohol : Daily alcohol rations to Cope w / harsh conditions

Where was WW1 fought?

Mainly in Europe in areas called fronts

Western Front was the longest war (Belgium and France)
Trying to stop advance of soldiers to coastline of Northern France

Eastern Front: Russians faced Germans + Austria Hungary
Italy fought with Austria Hungary - War spread to Africa and Pacific (German colonies were attacked by allied forces.

Mainly fought on foot (Infantry), a few battles at seas + in skies w/ fighter planes

2nd Battle of Ypres - What was it?

1. Canadian's first major engagement - defending the Ypres Salient (a Bend pushing into the German lines)

Ypres was a defensive position to protect French Ports on English Channel

22nd April, 1915 - 5PM -> First chlorine gas attack ever is released against French-Algerian 45th Division who died or fled

160 tons (5700-8599 cylinders) of yellow-green chlorine gas drifted towards French defense along a 60km wide front leaving 6.5km gap in Allied lines

Who was the poison gas defended in the 2nd Battle of Ypres?

General Alderson's Canadian unit shifted positions and tried to cover a several Km hole in their lines. The Canadians were outnumbered, outgunned, outflanked, but held their ground.

Germany had only planned a limited offense and could not exploit their advantage (did not have their own gas masks). Ended up digging in 3.25km away.

How did Canadians counterattack in the Battle of Ypres

In Kitchener Woods, St Julien, Canadians launched a counterattack all throughout the nigh and morning. They sustained 75% casualties

"Greatest attack of entire war" - Ferdinand Foche

Bought precious time to close the flank