Counterpoints: Chapter 2 Study Questions

Through what years did World War I take place?

July 1914 to 11 November 1918

What three empires controlled most of Eastern Europe at the beginning of the 20th century?

the Austro-Hungarian, the Russian, and the Ottoman empires

Explain the concept of nationalism and how it was relevant to the people living in the three empires identified in question 2.

Nationalism - intense loyalty toward one's own country and culture;

Many nationalities within these empires resented being dominated by a foreign power. They wanted to be independent nations, free to determine their own political future and maintain their cultural identity.

What was the purpose of the alliance system?

to reduce vulnerability to attack; agreed to support one another in the event of an invasion by another country

Look at the cartoon on p.23. Explain how this cartoon represents the alliance system and the events of 1914.

It depicts a chain reaction; "If Austria attacks Serbia, Russia will fall upon Austria, Germany upon Russia, and France and England upon Germany."

Which countries formed the Triple Alliance?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

Which countries formed the Triple Entente?

France, Russia, and Britain

What was the goal of the Triple Entente before World War I?

The triple entente surrounded Germany in hopes to reduce the threat of war.

Explain what an arms race is (militarism).

arms race - a competition between nations for superiority in the development and accumulation of weapons;

militarism - the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

How did England and Germany engage in an arms race?

Germany had the strongest army and the most powerful arsenal of weapons in Europe, but it was up against England, the undisputed ruler of the seas (had a powerful navy);

When Germany started to expand its navy, England responded by building the largest battleship ever, HMS Dreadnought. By 1914, both countries had amassed huge fleets of warships.

Explain what is meant by the 'balance of power'.

When Germany had been rapidly expanding its army, other European countries expanded their armies as well to have roughly equal power with Germany.

How did imperialism contribute to the outbreak of war?

Imperialism - the acquisition of overseas territories;

European countries often challenged each other for rights to the overseas territories and their resources.

Where did imperialism take place; in other words, what parts of the world were the great powers competing over?

Territories in Africa rich in gold, diamonds, and ivory.

What event sparked the outbreak of the war?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Fernidand

Who were the Allies? Who were the Central Powers?

Allies - Russia, France, and Britain (members of the Triple Entente)

Central Powers - Germany and Austria-Hungary (2/3 of the Triple Alliance)

Who controlled Canada's foreign policy? What did this mean for Canada in 1914?

Britain still controlled the foreign policy, which meant that when Britain declared war on Germany, Canada, along with the rest of the British empire, was automatically at war.

Who was Canada's Prime Minister throughout WWI?

Prime Minister Robert Laird Borden

How did most Canadians feel about war being declared?

The English-speaking Canadians of British origin supported the war out of a strong patriotic feeling for Great Britain and the Empire.

How did Canadians respond to the call for volunteers? Why?

Many people volunteered because they believed that the war would be a short one and they would be home by Christmas; seeking thrills & adventure; others signed up because they had no job; patriotic urge to defend mother country

How did the Canadian government respond to non-whites and women volunteering for the war?

Women were considered too frail and emotional to take part in battle;

Initially did not accept Aboriginal people, and the Canadian forces were also reluctant to take African and Japanese-Canadians.

Where did Canadian troops gather and train before heading overseas?

training centre in Valcartier, Quebec

What were the Canadian troops referred to as?

CEF - Canadian Expeditionary Force

Who was Sam Hughes and what was he in charge of?

Sam Hughes - Minister of Militia; in charge of training and supplying the troops with clothing and munitions; also put in charge of Canada's armament industry.

Who were profiteers?

Profiteers - people more interested in making money than in producing quality goods.

Explain the significance of the Ross rifle.

Canadian soldiers came to hate the Canadian-made Ross rifle because it tended to jam in rapid fire

What was the War Measures Act and what powers did it give the Canadian government?

War Measures Act - granted the Canadian government the authority to do everything necessary "for the security, defence, peace, order, and welfare of Canada"

Federal Gov. could intervene directly in the economy of the country and control transportation, manufacturing, trade and agricultural production

How were recent immigrants to Canada treated under the War Measures Act?

Anyone suspected of being an enemy alien or a threat to the government could be imprisoned, or deported, or both. Recent immigrants from Germany or the Austro-Hungarian empire were treated particularly harshly under this act.

What was the Schlieffen Plan, in particular, what was it intended to do? How and where?

Schlieffen Plan - strategy for a two-front war; France to the West= Western front, Russia to the East= Eastern front

Plan was for the Germans to quickly invade Belgium, then France, and capture capital of Paris. Afterwards, Germany could turn its attention to Russia.

State what the results of the Schlieffen plan were and what those results lead to.

The schlieffen plan was a failure. German troops grew exhausted of the pace of the plan. France and Britain rallied to push them back to northern France, where the Germans dug a defensive line of trenches.

Describe some new technologies employed during WWI.

-Dirigibles = inflatable airships

-Field Guns and Cannon

-Fighter planes

-Submarines

-Tanks

-Poison Gas and Anti-Gas respirators

What were some of the problems soldiers faced where technology and tactics were concerned?

New weapons were so powerful and deadly that it was suicidal to charge across open ground.

Describe life in the trenches.

Trenches were cold and damp in the winter and often flooded in heavy rain; muddy trenches became stinking cesspools, overrun by rats; clothes became infested with lice, many men developed trench-foot; emotionally, psychologically, and physically draining

What was the significance of the Second Battle of Ypres?

Belgian city of Ypres, in the Flanders district - Germans used chlorine gas to suffocate enemies. 6000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or captured.

Battle of the Somme- How long did the battle last?

The Battle of Somme lasted from July 1, 1916, until Nov. 18, 1916; 5 months

Battle of the Somme- What were the costs of the battle ?

British and French forces under the command of General Douglas Haig were mowed down by German machine guns as they were ordered to march across open fields.

Battle of the Somme- What was the cost to Canadian troops in general and the Newfoundland Regiment in particular?

Almost 85% of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, over 700 men including all officers, were killed or wounded within half an hour.

Battle of Vimy Ridge- Who was the British commander of Canadian troops?

General Julian Byng

Battle of Vimy Ridge- What technique did the commander use to prepare Canadian troops?

Byng developed strategies for attack and trained the troops well, rehearsing their movements thoroughly.

Battle of Vimy Ridge- What was the outcome of the battle?

It was a stunning victory; Canadians had gained more ground, taken more prisoners, and captured more artillery than any previous British offensive in the entire war.

Although the cost was high- 3500 men killed and 7000 wounded, losses were significantly fewer than in any previous allied offensive.

Battle of Vimy Ridge- Why was the battle significant and why was it significant for Canadians?

Victory at Vimy ridge marked a Canadian milestone; symbol of the birth of Canadian national pride and awareness (see question 39).

Battle of Vimy Ridge- What became of the commander of the Canadian troops?

Byng was promoted for his role at Vimy and he was replaced by a Canadian.

Passchendale- Who was the commander of the Canadian troops and why was this important?

General Arthur Currie, the first Canadian appointed to command Canada's troops

Passchendaele- What was the outcome of this battle?

Passchendaele had little strategic value, but General Haig was determined to retake it. Won the battle with many casualties.

Passchendaele- Why was this battle controversial?

The Allies won the battle at Passchendaele, but the "victory" cost over 15000 Canadian lives.

Who were the Bluebirds? How many were there?

Women who served as nurses in the Canadian Army Medical Corps - affectionately called "bluebirds" because of the colour of their uniforms.

There were almost 2500 Canadian women who joined the medical and field ambulance corps.

Who was Billy Bishop and what was his accomplishment?

Billy Bishop started off as a Cavalry officer and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps where he became Canada's top ace with seventy two "kills". He was the first Canadian pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross- a prestigious medal for bravery.

What was the RFC?

Royal Flying Corps

What were German submarines referred to as?

U-boats

Explain why Germany's use of the submarine was such a threat to Britain.

German U-boats were highly successful at disrupting British shipping. When later equipped with torpedoes, they completely destroyed warships or merchant ships; can easily sink ships.

What was the Allied response to the use of submarines?

Allies developed the convoy system and an underwater listening device that helped them locate and destroy U-boats.

What role did the city of Halifax play in the war?

The strategic location of Halifax and its protected Harbour made it a base for the refuelling and repair of Allied Warships and the chief departure point for Europe.

Other than sending soldiers, how did Canada contribute to the war effort?

Canadian factories built ships and airplanes, as well as shells- exported resources (lumber, nickel, copper, lead, Canadian wheat & beef) to Europe.

What effect on the economy did the war have on Canada? How did labour unions respond to these effects?

High production and export of Canadian goods. Because most of what Canada produced was exported to Europe, many goods became scarce in Canada. Scarcity caused prices to rise; workers became frustrated by government controls that kept wages low yet allowed prices to rise.

How did the Canadian government attempt to pay for the war?

tried to pay debts through a combination of bonds, taxes, and loans; introduced income tax

What role did women play during the war?

Some organized committees to send food and letters overseas, some became involved in volunteer organizations (Red Cross).

When Canada's increased industrial production created a great demand for labour, women were hired for all types of work.

What political change was brought about because of that role? When did it occur?

The changing roles of women strengthened campaign for women's suffrage;

In 1915, Liberals in Manitoba campaigned in the election with the promise that women will be able to vote. All Canadian women won the right to vote in 1918 in recognition of their patriotic effort during the war.

What was the purpose of propaganda during the war? What effect did it have on Canadians?

Propaganda was designed to persuade people to support the war. It encourages people to join the army, use less fuel, eat less meat, and support the government in whatever way necessary.

What was the Halifax Disaster?

The Mont Blanc, a French vessel carrying more than 2500 t of dynamite was accidentally hit by another ship. The collision caused an explosion so powerful that it devastated Halifax's harbour and much of the city;

between 2000 to 3000 people were killed and 10000+ injured

What is conscription?

compulsory (required by law) enlistment for military service; drafting

What was the Military Service Act and why was it brought about?

Military Service Act - bill that would make enlistment compulsory (obligation); war needed to be won at all costs and victory would require many more troops.

What groups were permitted to be excused from the Military Service Act?

The disabled, the clergy, those with essential jobs or special skills, and conscientious objectors (those who did not believe in the war on religious grounds).

How did Quebec react to the Military Service Act? What were the reasons for that reaction?

French Canadians felt as though they were being forced to fight for a country they did not feel a patriotic connection to.

How did other groups in Canada react to the Military Service Act?

Farmers were opposed because they needed their sons and hired workers to do farmworkers. Industrial workers felt they were already contributing to the war effort and did not want to fight overseas. Opposition to conscription led by labour movement.

What action did Prime Minister Borden take in response to Canada's reaction to the Military Service Act?

He decided to call an election over the issue of conscription.

What was the Military Voters Act?

Allowed men and women overseas to vote.

What was the Wartime Elections Act?

Gave the vote to all Canadian women directly related to servicemen.

What was the Union Government?

Opposition liberals who favoured conscription, forming union with Borden's party.

Who supported the Union Government?

The armed forces and the women related to them.

Who opposed the Union Government and how was that opposition demonstrated?

People from Quebec; demonstrated by anti-conscription riots.

What two important events occurred in 1917? What was the significance of these events?

-Czar Nicholas of Russia was forced to abdicate and a provisional Russian Gov. was formed.

-U.S. Declared war on Germany

How and where did Canadian troops perform in the last Hundred Days of the War?

Won important battles at Arras, Cambrai, and Valenciennes. Armistice/truce was signed.

What accomplishments did Borden achieve at the Paris Peace Conference?

Fought successfully for Canada to have its own seat and not be represented by Britain. Also insisted that he be included among the leaders who signed Treaty of Versailles.

What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Versailles?

-Germany had to agree to a war "guilt clause" (accept responsibility for causing the war).

-Germany had to pay $30billion for war reparations.

-Map of Europe to be redrawn, reducing Germany's territory and dividing it into two parts.

-Germany army restricted to 100 000 men; not allowed U-boats or an air force.

What was the League of Nations?

Brainchild of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, established by the treaty of Versailles. Made up of many nations and based on the principle of collective security.

What were the limitations of the league?

-Was more idealistic than a practical solution to world problems.

-Required the nations to cooperate with each other.

-Could punish an aggressive nation by imposing economic sanctions, this restricting trade, but the league had no military force of its own to impose such decisions.

What disaster took place immediately after WWI and how did it affect Canada?

The Spanish Flu from 1918-1920; killed approximately 50 000 Canadians. Schools and public places were closed for months in an effort to stop the spread of virus