The Great War - Beginning
The Great War. Was it Great?
Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm. Great' simply indicated the enormous scale of the conflict, much as we might today talk of a 'great storm' or a 'great flood'.
However, the term also had moral connotations. The Allies believed they were fighting against an evil militarism that had taken hold in Germany.
Not great for everybody
It was the first large scale 'industrial war'. It left millions dead, with many more permanently incapacitated.
The First World War destroyed empires and created numerous new nation-states.
It encouraged independence movements in Europe's colonies and led to the United States becoming a world power
Russia’s defeat by Germany led directly to Soviet communism.
The treaty to end the war led in part to the rise of Hitler.
1. Causes of the Great War
4 Main causes of the Great War.
Historians agree that the Great War started with the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne. But the causes were more complicated.
Click here to view the location of the Archduke Ferdinand's assassination
The slideshow and the short video give a clear explanation for the four causes of the Great War.
Main causes of the Great War
The alliance system. He is with me….
Nationalism: The illusion that war is good for a countries culture.
Militarism: The idea that attack is always the best idea because the other side is weak
War Plans: The unfortunate case of thinking that war plans need to be used because, well, because we have war plans
To do: Complete the following questions about the four main causes of the war.
Cause 1. The Alliance System
''The desperately frantic work of the peacemakers was ultimately frustrated by the rigid system of alliances and understandings worked out among the great powers to deter war.'
The European powers had formed alliances to protect themselves from the war that every country expected.
The Triple Alliance (The Central Powers)
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. In 1882, they signed a document that promised they would give each other military support in case of a war. The Alliance agreement stated it was 'essentially defensive and conservative' with the aim of stopping anyone who 'might threaten' the three nations.
The alliance formed between Germany and Austria-Hungary had strong ethnic ties. Germany and Austria-Hungary shared borders and (in many regions) the German language, as well as a desire to add to their territories. Austria-Hungary specifically wanted the Balkans.
However, Italy did not entirely trust Austria-Hungary, so they made a secret treaty with France after the joining the Triple Alliance.
The Triple Entente (The Allies)
The Triple Entente was created in reaction to the forming of the Triple Alliance, and included Britain, France and Russia. An alliance was formed between Russia and France in 1894. By 1904 Britain began talks with Russia and decided that it should come out of its 'splendid isolation', joining the Entente Cordiale ('Friendly Agreement').
By 1907, Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey negotiated Britain into the Triple Entente, and united three old enemies. In contrast to the Triple Alliance, the terms of the Entente did not require each country to go to war on behalf of the others, but stated that they had a 'moral obligation' to support each other.
To do: questions
What was the alliance system and why is it blamed for the war?
Who was in the triple alliance and what was its purpose?
Which countries were in the triple entente and what was its purpose?
Annotate a map of the Alliance system in Europe in 1914
Cause 2: Militarism
The leading military minds of Europe, were entranced by the cult of the offensive. They planned to strike hard and fast with maximum force in order to achieve quick, decisive victory. No one believed a general war in Europe could last longer than a couple of months, nor did anyone plan for such a development.
The expanding European imperial powers were coming into conflict increasingly around the world.
▫ Germany and France had both doubled the size of their armies since 1870
Militarism alone did not start World War I – that first required a flashpoint and a political crisis – but it created an environment where war, rather than negotiation or diplomacy, was considered the best way of resolving international disputes.
To do: questions
Why were the European powers coming into increasing conflict around the world?
Why do you think the French and the Germans had doubled the size of their armies?
How long did the European strategists think that the war would last?
How did Europeans view the prospect of war?
In what ways militarism make the war more likely?
Cause 3: Nationalism
Nationalism is an intense form of patriotism or loyalty to one’s country. Nationalists exaggerate the value or importance of their country and place its interests above those of other countries. Nationalism was a prevalent force in early 20th century Europe and a significant cause of World War I.
Many Europeans – particularly citizens of the so-called Great Powers – believed in the cultural, economic and military supremacy of their nation. Their over-confidence was fuelled by popular culture and the press.
To do: questions
Define nationalism in your own words. What do nationalists think about other countries?
How was this overconfidence fuelled?
How would nationalism lead to war between countries?
Cause 4: War Plans
Ever since Germany had defeated France in (1870-71, the major countries in Europe had been planning for war. People thought war was inevitable due to the conflicting ambitions of the major powers.
The Germans had developed the Schlieffen plan in case of war in Europe. It borrowed heavily from the German victory in 1870 over France. The plan assumed a speedy victory over the French and Belgians, allowing Germany to focus on Russia.
The French war plan for World War I was called Plan XVII. It focused on a decisive offensive against Germany The plan was executed in August 1914 but failed disastrously, leading to heavy casualties.
Once these plans were started it was very difficult to control
To do: questions
Why did the European powers develop extensive war plans?
What was the assumption of the War Plans?
Why did Germany need a quick victory over France?
Why do you think the plans were hard to stop once they started.
2. Australia in WW1
Australia enters the war
Australia declared war on Germany after Britain on the 5th of August. The first major engagement that involved Australian service men and women was the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey.
The Gallipoli campaign was an attempt by the British military to capture the Dardanelles, the Dardanelles were controlled by Turkey, an ally of Germany.
The campaign had two objectives.
Connect with the Russian Black Sea fleet. Supply the Russians against Germany.
Remember, Russia was an ally with Britain.
Watch the PowerPoint and then go to the next section
To do: questions
List the reasons for Australia’ entry into the war.
Who was Turkey in an alliance with?
Who was Russia in an alliance with? Why was the Russian Navy trapped in the Black Sea?
Explain the objectives of the attack on the Dardanelles.
Activity 1: Dardanelles Invasion Plan
You have been asked by the Allied command to prepare an attack plan for the Dardanelles (Gallipoli).
Dardanelles invasion plan background:
○ You need to capture the Dardanelles to support your Russian allies.
○ Your enemy is in a well defended strategic position with superior firepower.
○ Your enemy are on home ground, they are expecting you from their reinforced positions
Do you
a. Go and find something more constructive to do
OR
b. Attack and be damned!
You choose B. Let’s attack the Dardanelles!
To do: Your strategic plan needs to do the following:
List the strategic objectives of the attack on Gallipoli. (Minimum 4)
Annotate a map/satellite image of the Black Sea region to explain the challenges you foresee in this campaign. (Minimum of 5)
How do you propose to overcome these challenges?
Sun Tzu, the Chinese master strategist of war recommended against attacking well defended positions. He also counsels against being the last on to the battlefield. List the other mistakes the allied commanders made. (Minimum 3)
Background briefing: The Gallipoli campaign 1915
The Anzacs landed on the beach early on the 25th of April 1915. However they landed on the wrong beach, in an area of steep, rugged terrain that was later dubbed ANZAC Cove. . Once on the beach, many units became separated from one another as they began moving up the tangle of complex spurs and ravines in the darkness. Turkish resistance remained strong, and the Anzacs were subjected to devastating machine gun fire and artillery bombardments.
It was decided against an evacuation, and the troops were ordered to dig in. Falling back on improvised and shallow entrenchments, the Anzacs held on for a crucial first night. By that first evening 16,000 men had been landed but more than 2000 had been killed or wounded
‘As the Allies came ashore in numbers, Mustafa Kemal – one of the Ottoman Empire’s most talented officers – moved to the area and set up defensive positions around the inlet. Surrounded by high hilltops and thick scrub, ANZAC Cove was easily defended by Ottoman snipers and machine-gunners, operating from elevated positions. Allied attempts to break out of the area were repelled and within a week, the situation at ANZAC Cove had reached stalemate.’
The Gallipoli campaign. Alphahistory
Discuss: Was the campaign always destined to fail as many Historians have argued?
3. Sources - Gallipoli
Sources Analysis Answer Guide
Hints and tips for a successful source analysis:
Quote often and begin your response with name of the author, not the Source number. Put the source number in brackets at the end of the quote/paraphrasing.
EG: ‘Lamb shows two examples of the importance of religion in Ancient Greece. ....' (Source 1)
Always use full sentences and include the question in your answer
Use the mark scheme to guide your answer.
Two marks means you need to make two clear points.
Three marks means you need to make three clear points.
For example:
This is supported by Jones who states that 'History students would be more popular at parties if they used this method.' (Source 3)
Source 1. Gallipoli campaign objectives
Questions
Refer to source 1 to describe the two main purposes of the Gallipoli campaign
Source 2. Letter from Captain (later Major) Vivian Benjafield, a surgeon at Gallipoli. 1914
'Apparently there is every prospect of this being a walkover for our troops, but we do not know. There may be a surprise in store for us for all we know, but it seems hardly likely that resistance will be very great… The actual landing is in charge of a special naval party sent out from England for the purpose. They have among them a number of men who took part in a similar maneuvers on the English coast last year.'
Questions
What was the attitude of the ANZAC's to the Turkish defenders according to Source 2? (1)
Is the source primary of secondary? How do you know?(2)
Source 3. Experience of Nationhood: Modern Australia since 1901 . Mason K.J. (2007)
At dawn on Sunday 25 April 1915 thousands of British, French and ANZAC troops landed on various parts of the Gallipoli peninsula. The Turkish defences were not strong, with poor artillery and no aircraft. However, they were prepared due to the earlier British naval bombardment of the coast.. The vital element of surprise had been lost. It was planned for the ANZAC force to come ashore at Gaba Tepe, but strong ocean currents and general confusion led to landing to the north. They landed to heavy crossfire from well-positioned Turkish guns on the cliff tops.
The tiny beach (ANZAC Cove), became congested as 16 000 men landed. The Turks from their position on the heights of the Sari Bair ranges held the advantage. By the end of the first evening, the ANZAC force had advanced only about 900 metres at the farthest point.
Questions
According to Source 3, what were the consequences of not landing at Gaba Tepe? (2)
Source 4. Letter from Lieutenant William Britt, an Australian soldier who took part in the first Gallipoli landing. (1915)
'The boat grounded 30 yards from the Beach and I jumped into the water icy cold and up to my waist. I was carrying 250 rounds ammunition. Pack with clothes and kit weighing 30 lbs. Haversack with 4 tins dog biscuits etc, a water bag, 3 cement bags rolled up to be used as sand bags. Well I waded to the shore (by this time they had our range and men were dropping all round me). They had measured the range previously of course.
I got a bullet through the cap as I stepped out of the water. I threw off my pack and took cover behind a heap of pebbles. There was no cover from bullets as the Turks were entrenched on the top of a cliff which ran round in a half circle and rose straight up at a distance of 500 yards from the water. Well I was loading my rifle by this time and trying to make out the trenches in the half light but could see nothing but the rifle flashes. We were getting it hot by this time.'
Questions
How does Source 4 support the information in Source 3. (4)
How useful is a personal letter for an historian studying the Gallipoli campaign? (2)
Source 5. Photo of Anzac Cove 1915. AWM
Questions
Use evidence from a minimum of four of the sources to evaluate the accuracy of the following statement:
“The Gallipoli landing failed to achieve its aims simply because the planners failed to take into account the geography of the area.”
Source 1. Gallipoli campaign objectives
Background briefing: Propaganda posters
Posters served as propaganda tools, especially during World War I.
Governments used propaganda posters to encourage citizens to take action. By enlisting to fight or working for the war effort on the homw front.
Propaganda posters appeal to emotion over logic. They do this by using popular images of home or nation, vibrant colours, and large fonts to convey simple, direct commands or statements.
To do: In pairs, analyse the two propaganda posters
Poster 1 - The “Fall-in!” cartoon by Norman Lindsay
How can you tell the men in the cartoon are proud to serve their country?
How does this source encourage men to enlist?
What is the purpose of this source?
Poster 2 - Wait for This. Cartoon by Norman Lindsay.
What is happening in the cartoon?
What do you notice about the age of the man leaning against the water tank compared to the other men?
How did this cartoon encourage young men to enlist?
Activity 2. A soldiers life
To do: Create a photo study to give your readers a sense of the conditions experienced by the soldiers at Gallipoli.
Things to consider:
Living conditions
Food
Hygiene and sanitation
Heath issues including trench foot and disease
The weapons used
Injuries and casualties
The rats
Strategies and the evacuation
You should also include:
Photos
Maps
Captions
Quotes!!
Facts and statistics
Personal stories
Letters
Activity 3: Soldier’s letter / diary
WWI was a traumatic experience for both soldiers, and those on the home front.
Soldiers and families kept in contact by writing letters, sending packages to loved ones, and writing diaries. This allowed them to tell the stories of their experiences at war, and to hear from their families.
Imagine you are a soldier who has enlisted and been sent to fight at Gallipoli.
Write a letter or diary entry to be sent home to your loved ones.
What was life like?
Describe the dangers you face
Explain what the battlefield looks like
Give examples of trenches and the risks you face
Explain your original reasons for joining the war and how you feel about Australia’s involvement in the war after being at Gallipoli.
