Ww1 Syllabus Nootes1
HSC Modern History
PART 1 – World War One
1. War on the Western Front
The reasons for the stalemate on the Western Front
Faults in the Schlieffen Plan - The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s pre-war (1906) strategy in invading France in the event of an outbreak of war – aggressive and needed speed and surprise - Involved heading north into Belgium, then west to attack France’s fortified chateau’s from the rear - Plan to take Paris in 6 weeks to defeat France, then take on Soviet Union – to prevent a two front war - Armies at the centre of the “swing” were fortified, leaving those on the outside weak and slow - Belgium put up stronger resistance - Failed because: of stronger Belgium resistance, British involvement due to invasion of Belgium, Molke’s changes to the original plans, underestimating Russia’s mobilisation size and speed - Argued that if it worked, stalemate wouldn’t have occurred
Tactical and strategic plans - Supply restricted to railways where the tracks were laid - Movement by horse was too slow - Troops exhausted, same tactic of “going over the top” - Inadequate Generals who used Imperial tactics, didn’t adapt to modern-day weaponry (mainly the machine gun) - Stalemate led to development of trench’s – race to the sea to out-flank each other - Problems in communication – often by mouth as phone/cable lines were broken by artillery
The nature of trench warfare and life in the trenches dealing with experiences of Allied and German soldiers
Structure of the trenches - In parallel lines of 3; front line, support and reserve trench (rotation systems) - Designed in zig-zag formation for defensive measures - Deep enough for a man to stand without being exposed - Sandbags lined trenches for protection - Firesteps, parapet/parados to protect from artillery and bullets - Duckboards to walk on and keep feet dry - Dugouts: shelters for officers
PART 1 – World War One
1. War on the Western Front
The reasons for the stalemate on the Western Front
Faults in the Schlieffen Plan - The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s pre-war (1906) strategy in invading France in the event of an outbreak of war – aggressive and needed speed and surprise - Involved heading north into Belgium, then west to attack France’s fortified chateau’s from the rear - Plan to take Paris in 6 weeks to defeat France, then take on Soviet Union – to prevent a two front war - Armies at the centre of the “swing” were fortified, leaving those on the outside weak and slow - Belgium put up stronger resistance - Failed because: of stronger Belgium resistance, British involvement due to invasion of Belgium, Molke’s changes to the original plans, underestimating Russia’s mobilisation size and speed - Argued that if it worked, stalemate wouldn’t have occurred
Tactical and strategic plans - Supply restricted to railways where the tracks were laid - Movement by horse was too slow - Troops exhausted, same tactic of “going over the top” - Inadequate Generals who used Imperial tactics, didn’t adapt to modern-day weaponry (mainly the machine gun) - Stalemate led to development of trench’s – race to the sea to out-flank each other - Problems in communication – often by mouth as phone/cable lines were broken by artillery
The nature of trench warfare and life in the trenches dealing with experiences of Allied and German soldiers
Structure of the trenches - In parallel lines of 3; front line, support and reserve trench (rotation systems) - Designed in zig-zag formation for defensive measures - Deep enough for a man to stand without being exposed - Sandbags lined trenches for protection - Firesteps, parapet/parados to protect from artillery and bullets - Duckboards to walk on and keep feet dry - Dugouts: shelters for officers