First World War (+ the vote in 1918
Recruitment in 1914
Haig and the Battle of the Somme
German defeat in 1918
Causes of WWI
Assassination of ADFF
This was successful + led to war declared by Austria against Serbia
This was successful + led to war declared by Austria against Serbia Led to WWI because of the complex alliance system (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente)
Tensions between Austria + Bosnia/Serbia which resulted in the Black Hand gang planning to kill the Arch Duke
Other causes
Military increasing in Europe
Germany went from 0.5 to 2.2 million troops between 1905 - 1914
British navy increased from 20 to 185 warships between 1900 - 1904
German Aggresion
Schliefen Plan had been in place since 1870s
Kaiser Wilhlem looking to prove German strength
Why did men enlist?
Propaganda/social standards/expectations
Wanted excitement
Pals battalions - sign up with friends
Thought it would be over by Christmas
Conscription
Change occurred in 1916
Why?
Stalemate
Realities of war
Trench warfare (trenchfoot etc.)
Failures
Consequences
Aims
Distract from Verdun
Kill as many Germans as possible
Gain territory
Not enough barbed wire cut
Set off in daylight
French + British attacks were not joined up
Communications delayed
1.25 million people died (total)
Public horrified
Only small amount of land gained by Britain
Turning point
America joined war in 1917
Russia left the war
Didn't weigh out America
Brought new troops
Causes
Failure of German Ludendorff plan
German supply routes blocked
Ports blocked
Tried to use poison gas but backfired
Women and WWI
Women’s contribution to the First World War
Where women worked
Offices
Engineering
Munitions factories
Farms
Postal workers
Bus conductors
Police
Achievement of the vote in 1918
How contribution made it difficult to ignore the demand for the vote
Challenged many negative stereotypes linked to female intelligence
Women had a variety of jobs that they didn’t before
Completely changed the world of women’s work