In early 1917, after visiting the trenches and witnessing the dire conditions, Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden promised soldiers more reinforcements and subsequently pushed for a conscription bill, mandating men to join the army.
the British and the French both failed to take this important point and so the task was given to Canada. The attack was such a large success that it is known to be the battle in which Canadians made a name for themselves.
Vimy ridge was a mountain-like holding point for the Germans and a very powerful position. It was important to take this point because it would give a large advantage to the allied forces.
Conscription
Early in 1917, the canadian PM Sir Rober Borden went to visit the trenches, appalled by what he saw he asked the soldiers what they needed
He promised them more men as that was what they asked for
Borden went back home and attempted to pass a conscription bill
The conscription forced men to join the army
The conscription hit like a bomb
recruitment
Recruitment Methods:
Canada recruited soldiers through the use of propaganda posters that questioned loyalty and manhood, or shamed men into joining the army
Using woman as a way to pressure men to enlist
Political speeches and lectures about duty
Exclusions:
Black People
Aboriginal People
Asian People
people of any cultural descent of the triple alliance
The Treaty Of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was the treaty that marked the end of the first world war.
B.R.A.T
BRAT stood for blame, reparations, army, and territory
the Germans had to take blame for the war, pay reparations cut down there army to 100,000 max and give up most of the territory they colonized to other countries in Europe.
The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Bosnia was initially a part of Serbia, until Austria-Hungary tookover.
On june 28, 1914 the duke and duchess Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Ferdinand, were taking part in a parade in Bosnia
They travelled an unguarded route in an open vehicle
An extremist/terrorist group known as the black hand, had an assassin attempt to throw a grenade at the car, bouncing off the back and hitting the car behind them injuring the people in the back.
The duke went to the hospital to visit the people injured.
On the way there, more terrorists were waiting, and this time Franz and Sophie were shot and killed in the open vehicle
Warfare: Air, Land, Sea
Air
Sea
Land
War in the air was initially just intel gathering by flying over opposing trenches however, eventually they evolved into forms of offense by dropping bombs on enemy territory
the main form of combat in the sea was through the destruction of shipments for opposing soldiers U-boats were the most effective way to do so as they attacked without warning and disappeared in a matter of minutes
the main form of combat on the land was through trench warfare
The Alliances
The Triple Entente
Britain
France
Russia
The Triple Alliance
Germany
Italy
Austria-Hungary
The Role of Women
Women who enlisted became medics
The main role of woman on the home front was to take over the jobs of men on farms, in factories to supply for the soldiers oversea
M.A.I.N.
Nationalism
A belief that people of similar culture should be united
extreme/excessive pride and willingness to sacrifice for your own country
All of Europe was very nationalistic in 1914
Imperialism
European regions were trying to build empires by conquering other nations (Asia and Africa)
Britain and France became very rich and powerful due to the colonies
Germany wanted colonies as well and threatened the French and British interests
Alliances
Germany had a new king come into power, he was very aggressive, built a strong navy and pushed to colonize other nations
Germany’s aggression formed an alliance between France and Russia
Germany’s new navy scared Britain into joining the alliance with France and Russia
In response, Germany formed an alliance with Italy and Austria-Hungary
Militarism
Attempting to solve political issues using treats, brinksmanship, and war.
this was very commonly used by all of Europe before 1914.
Germany was the first country to use this.
The Trenches
the trenches were absolutely wretched. They smelt foul, they were very unsanitary, and many soldiers got a disease known as trench foot.
once opposing forces realized that this war was going to be much longer than they predicted, they began to dig trenches for cover as they were mainly fighting along a flat battlefield.