War At Sea: Use of Submarines
- German U-boats attempted a blockade on British isles
- Unrestricted submarine warfare against Allied ships = aim to starve Britain and disrupt supply lines
- Combination of stealth, surprise, and torpedos to sink enemies
- Smaller than surface boats = harder to detect and attack suddenly
- Germany’s U-boat success forced Allies to adapt the Convoy system
- Convoy system: merchant trips travel in group escorted by naval vessels (successful tactic)
- Generated a naval arms race
- Lead to international condemnation later
Naval Mutinies at Kiel and Wihelmshaven
THE KIEL MUTINY (Oct-Nov 1918)
- German sailors of the high seas fleet refused to engage in a large-scale naval operation
- Believed it would ease unnessesary deaths and achieved little, bad for sailer morale, poor rationing, tired soldiers, inspiration from Russia to change
- Began with disobedience to sail and escalated to taking control of ships
- Contributed to the Kaiser’s abdication and the revolution
WILHELMSHAVEN MUTINY (oct 1918)
- German sailors of the high seas fleet stationed in the naval base Wilhelmshaven
- Caused since soldiers were angry at living conditions, being sent to a suicidal battle, motivated by Russia
- Similar to Kiel but al a different port
- Reinforced soldier’s demands and fueled Germany’s revolution
Battle of Jutland
- An accidental encounter between Germany and Britain in the Jutland Peninsula
Denmark: The German objective was to weaken the British naval blockade and weaken their fleet - The British army was significantly bigger than the Germans
- Fierce exchange of gunfire and main battle fleets converged (collided)
- Both sides’ casualties were major (Britain 6k Germany 2.5K)
- German fleet retreated to a port and didn’t attempt another large-scale conflict at the sea
- Britain’s naval blockade continued and the conflict remained inconclusive and controversial
Britain Naval Blockade
- GOAL: eat off supplies and military equipment to weaken the Central Powers
- Blockade enforced in the English Channel, North Sea, and German Coast. Allied ships and submarines intercepted German supply boats. Merchant vessels with contraband supplies were seized.
- Restricted Germany’s export of goods and imports. Limited German ability to sustain military operations and created a shortage of food, leading to the revolution
- Raised legal and ethical questions, leading to post-war discussion
English recruitment
Initially based on volunteering: patriotism through recruitment campaigns and propaganda
- In 1916 description was introduced. The Military Service Act required all single men aged 18-41 to serve.
- Recruitment methods: Posters, leaflets and speeches = appealed to a sense of duty and nationalism.
Initial wave of volunteers was successful but as casualties increased it wasn’t enough.
Pals Battalions
- Encouraged fiends/groups from same place to enlist together = maintain morale
- Helped maintain community ties and strengthened collective responsibility
- Lead to devastating losses since entire towns that enlisted together died
DORA
Defense of the Realm Act in 1914
- Piece of legislation passed by British government
- Guaranteed government-wide ranging powers to prosecute the war effort effectively
- Included censorship, regulations on food rationing, regulations on industry, and authority to requisite land
- Centralized power by controlling all levels of society in support of the war.
Battle of Amiens
- Near City of Amiens in France, marked the beginning of the 100 days offensive
- Notable for effective use of combined arms tactics (infantry, artillery, aircraft, tanks)
- Coordinated attack from British, Canadian, Canadian, Australian, and French on German lines
- Surprise attack (short intense artillery barrage before swift infantry + tanks)
- Demonstrated successful coordination and an Allied decisive victory
- Advanced several miles and inflicted heavy casualties
Spring/Ludendorff Offensive
- Series of German attack on Western Front
- Wanted to achieve a decisive victory before Americans arrived
- Initially made territorial gains
- Failed due to allies’ resistance, inability to uphold momentum and bad planning/logistics
- Marked Germany’s last effort before the war ends
- Purpose was defeated because Americans arrived quickly and reinforced allies
Abdication of the Kaiser (revolution)
- Nov 1918: German revolution amidst military defeats and economic hardship
- Councils: Formed in major cities that demanded end of war and political reform
- Nov 1918: Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated because of pressure from revolution
- Movements and political elites to avoid further unrest and turn to democracy
- After end of German empire, Weimar Republic is formed
- A social democrat leader declared Germany a Republic not an empire
Why did Russia leave the war by 1918?
- Tired military after years of war
- Defeated and demoralized by failed attempts to get a decisive victory
- Thousands of casualties and soldiers lacked proper equipment/training
- Economic strain because of the war
- People were unhappy with the Tsarist Regime which involved Russia in what they viewed as an Imperial war
- Discontent with food shortages, inflation
- February 1917 they overthrow the government during the Russian Revolution
- October 1917 communists overthrow the government (the Bolshevik)
- By 1918, Russian government had no other choice than to sign the Treaty of Brest Litovsk
War at Sea
- Allied forces had most control due to Britain’s navy over trade routes and naval bases
- On-going Naval Race between Britain and Germany
- British naval blockade on German ports in 1915
- Battle of Jutland - largest naval battle of war ends inconclusively
1917 at sea
- Rising tensions = Germany declares unrestricted warfare
- Lusitania sank, civilians die = US declares war and sends destroyers/submarine chasers
Home Front
- Aim: Aid soldiers, provide ammunition, food, and money
- Campaigns, propaganda, and volunteering = unity + nationalism
Women’s involvement: Sustain their families, convince men to fight, and work men’s jobs. Employment of women lead to higher women’s rights - Food rations (especially Germany)
- Higher taxes to support war (except Germany who planned for a payout after victory)
US joins war
Reasons:
- Unrestricted submarine warfare risked trade routes and = sinking of Lusitania
- Zimmerman Telegram: Germany’s war proposal to Mexico
- Economic interests: Loans/trades with Allies
- Idealistic motivation: Desire for “safety and peace”
Impacts:
1. Fresh troops, resources, and morale to Allies
2. Change in negotiations in TOV (WW 14 points)
3. Domestic changes (economic expansion and industrialization)
4. Global influence - active role internationally
Gallipoli Campaign 1915
- Allied forces: Australia, New Zealand, British, and French
- Ultimately an unsuccessful campaign - Ottomans held defensive position
- Objective: Secure a sea route through Dardanelle Strait for a supply route to Russia + weaken Ottoman Empire by gaining a new front
- Harsh conditions: Extreme heat, bitter winters
- Trench warfare
- Heavy casualties
- Remembered for the deaths it caused
- Anzac day honours Australian contribution
- Allied troops evacuated to prevent further losses in 1916
Eastern Front
- Battle of Tannenburg (German vs Russian) as a result of Russian empire invasion
- Russia’s superior tactics
- Brusilor Offensive
- Objective: Braek through Central Power’s line + relieve pressure on Western Front
- Success but then stalemate = prolonged battle of attrition
- Most effective Russian offensive
- Rapidly changing borders due to territorial gains in WW1
- Stalemate
- Prolonged & gruelling conflicts = many casualties
- Strained resources + reduced man power
- Russian revolution 1917 less to strain & military failures = people discontent
Canadian Troops
Chain of alliances led Canada to join as a British ally
- Voluntary enlistment = thousands of soldiers joined due to a sense of duty
- Canadian Expeditionary Force formed, significant military force (630,000)
- Deployment in Oct 1914 to England before sending them to the Western Front
Battles:
2nd Battle of Ypres 1915:
- Resisted large-scale use of poison gas (first time Cl gas used in open warfare)
- Canadians held the line by improvising protection techniques (urine-soaked gas masks)
- Heavy casualties and wounded
Battle of the Somme 1916:
- Major offensive launched by French and British to reduce tensions in Verdun
- Canadians forced heavy casualties on the initial offensive
- Under general Julian Byng (Canadian Corps)
- They captured Courcelitte (Village, took German soldiers)
Vimy Ridge 1917:
- Vimy Ridge was a heavily fortified German position in Northern France
- Past failed allied attempts
- All four divisions of Canadian troops fought together
- Used innovative tactics (tunnels, mines to approach undetected though they required lots of planning)
- 4-day battle faced enemy fire heavily and harsh weather but managed to capture them
Battle of Passchendaele 1917:
- Canadians were tasked capturing the ridge and they managed to capture it and the village
- Heavy rainfall turned battlefield into mid which led to drowning
- Remembrance day in Canada is due to this battle
- Tactic importance = stopped Germans from reaching Belgian coast
Canadian Soldiers:
Recruitment: Voluntary (1914-1915), they believed that the war would be short. propaganda, patriotic appeals and social pressure used as motivation
Increasing pressure and Conscription 1916-1917, As war progressed, volunteers decreased so they offered job protection, financial incentuves, medals, and recognition.
Military Service Act (compulsory military service = riots, protests, risign tensions)
Conscription and deployment 1918, led to higher number of members in the CEF but less enthusiastic than volunteers
Armstice and Aftermath 1918, soldiers gradually repatriated, the integrating of soldiers soldiers back into their home country, difficult for veterans, support for wounded.
Indian Troops
Numerical contribution - 1.5 million troops, 150,000 in Western front
Frontline participation - Not only support roles (meds and transport) but front line roles
Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Northern France
Critical role in initial assault and capture, but lack of coordination of Allies meant gains weren’t exploited
Battle of Loos: Northern France
Very significant British offensive, but overall advance was limited since they could sustain gains.
4th Division of Indian army assigned the Attack on Hill 70, where they attempted to break through heavily fortified trenches and German defenses
2nd Battle of Ypres: Stationed and tasked to defend against German gas attack = managed to hold their ground despite facing the brunt of the attack
Exhibited adaptability to new environments and unfamiliar terrain.
Barriers:
- Language
- Colonial context
- Ethnicity (racism)
Aftermath: India had ideas of independence since they quesitoned why they had to fight for Britain
First Battle of Ypres
- Allied forces managed to hold their ground with trenches
- During the Race to the Sea
- English Channel ports in Ypres would mean critical supply lines
- Heavy casualties for both sides highlighted the need for defensive warfare (Britain 58,000, Germany more)
Battle of Cheluvelt
- BEF successfully counter German attacks
Battle of Aisne
B/F vs Germany in the River Aisne
Attempts of flanking each other which leads to trenches
Germans: Unable to break through
Allies: Unable to dislodge entrenched Germans
Marked the end of the Schlieffen Plan
Race to the Sea
Attmepts to outflank each other after entrenchment in Aisne
Both forces wanted to expand their lines north
BEF managed to halt german advance to the English Channel, allowing them to blockade later in the war
