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The Allies included Italy from the start of the First World War.
The Allies included Italy from the start of the First World War.
False
The German advance on the western front was delayed due to strong resistance from Belgium.
The German advance on the western front was delayed due to strong resistance from Belgium.
True
The USA entered the First World War in April 1915.
The USA entered the First World War in April 1915.
False
Both sides in the First World War engaged in trench warfare on the eastern front.
Both sides in the First World War engaged in trench warfare on the eastern front.
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Germany managed to capture Poland after Russia left the war in 1917.
Germany managed to capture Poland after Russia left the war in 1917.
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The Armistice that ended the First World War was signed on 11 November 1917.
The Armistice that ended the First World War was signed on 11 November 1917.
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Heavy losses of merchant ships faced by Britain were primarily due to air attacks.
Heavy losses of merchant ships faced by Britain were primarily due to air attacks.
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The peace settlement after the war was signed at Versailles in 1919.
The peace settlement after the war was signed at Versailles in 1919.
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The British successfully captured Constantinople during the Gallipoli Campaign.
The British successfully captured Constantinople during the Gallipoli Campaign.
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Trench warfare difficulties included the presence of barbed wire in no-man's land.
Trench warfare difficulties included the presence of barbed wire in no-man's land.
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Russia had consistent success against both Austria and Germany during the war.
Russia had consistent success against both Austria and Germany during the war.
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Winston Churchill strongly advocated for the Gallipoli Campaign.
Winston Churchill strongly advocated for the Gallipoli Campaign.
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Cavalry units were effectively utilized in trench warfare during World War I.
Cavalry units were effectively utilized in trench warfare during World War I.
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The entire Allied force was able to hold positions at Gallipoli without difficulty.
The entire Allied force was able to hold positions at Gallipoli without difficulty.
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German forces captured Warsaw and the whole of Poland during the war.
German forces captured Warsaw and the whole of Poland during the war.
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Reconnaissance aircraft and observation balloons were used to spot troop concentrations near trenches.
Reconnaissance aircraft and observation balloons were used to spot troop concentrations near trenches.
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The year 1915 was particularly beneficial for the Allies.
The year 1915 was particularly beneficial for the Allies.
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Bulgaria joined the Central Powers after the Allies attempted to relieve Serbia.
Bulgaria joined the Central Powers after the Allies attempted to relieve Serbia.
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Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary in May 1915.
Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary in May 1915.
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The Battle of Verdun resulted in significant territorial gains for the Germans.
The Battle of Verdun resulted in significant territorial gains for the Germans.
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The Battle of the Somme primarily involved French forces.
The Battle of the Somme primarily involved French forces.
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Serbia was successfully defended by Bulgaria in October 1915.
Serbia was successfully defended by Bulgaria in October 1915.
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The British army sent to protect oil interests in Mesopotamia faced a siege at Kut-el-Amara.
The British army sent to protect oil interests in Mesopotamia faced a siege at Kut-el-Amara.
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The Allies promised Italy several territories in a secret treaty to encourage their involvement in the war.
The Allies promised Italy several territories in a secret treaty to encourage their involvement in the war.
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David Lloyd George became British prime minister in December 1916 after taking over from Asquith.
David Lloyd George became British prime minister in December 1916 after taking over from Asquith.
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The Russians successfully attacked the Austrians in June 1916, advancing over 300 miles.
The Russians successfully attacked the Austrians in June 1916, advancing over 300 miles.
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Winston Churchill described Admiral Jellicoe as someone who could have lost the war in a day.
Winston Churchill described Admiral Jellicoe as someone who could have lost the war in a day.
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Hindenburg acknowledged in his memoirs that Germany could withstand many more campaigns like those at Verdun and the Somme.
Hindenburg acknowledged in his memoirs that Germany could withstand many more campaigns like those at Verdun and the Somme.
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The Allies' efforts in 1916 were met with significant success, culminating in a decisive victory.
The Allies' efforts in 1916 were met with significant success, culminating in a decisive victory.
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The British had 16 Dreadnoughts while the Germans had 27.
The British had 16 Dreadnoughts while the Germans had 27.
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Lloyd George's role as Minister of Munitions helped improve the supply of military equipment.
Lloyd George's role as Minister of Munitions helped improve the supply of military equipment.
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In August 1916, the Romanians successfully invaded Austria and maintained control over the territory.
In August 1916, the Romanians successfully invaded Austria and maintained control over the territory.
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The Battle of Jutland concluded with a clear victory for the German fleet.
The Battle of Jutland concluded with a clear victory for the German fleet.
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The German High Seas Fleet remained active throughout World War I after the Battle of Jutland.
The German High Seas Fleet remained active throughout World War I after the Battle of Jutland.
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Unrestricted submarine warfare began for Germany in January 1917 as a response to British blockades.
Unrestricted submarine warfare began for Germany in January 1917 as a response to British blockades.
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During the peak of German submarine warfare, the British were left with a corn supply that lasted only six weeks.
During the peak of German submarine warfare, the British were left with a corn supply that lasted only six weeks.
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The German strategy aimed to starve Britain and France into surrender before American forces arrived.
The German strategy aimed to starve Britain and France into surrender before American forces arrived.
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The British Admiralty adopted a convoy system after the insistence of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The British Admiralty adopted a convoy system after the insistence of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
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The Germans lost 430 ships during the peak of their submarine campaign.
The Germans lost 430 ships during the peak of their submarine campaign.
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After the Battle of Jutland, the Germans successfully destroyed British sea power.
After the Battle of Jutland, the Germans successfully destroyed British sea power.
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Study Notes
The First World War: 1914-1918
- The First World War, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918.
- Two major alliances: The Allies (Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Serbia, Belgium, Romania, USA, Japan) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria).
- Expectations: Most people initially expected a short, decisive war, but it quickly evolved into a protracted and devastating conflict.
1914
- Western Front: The German advance was initially met with strong Belgian resistance, delaying their capture of Brussels. Attempts by both sides to break the stalemate through offensives like those at Neuve Chapelle, Loos, and Ypres, proved unsuccessful.
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Trench Warfare: The western front quickly devolved into trench warfare, characterized by:
- Barbed wire in no-man's land
- Reconnaissance aircraft and observation balloons used for enemy surveillance
- High fire power from rifles and machine guns rendering traditional attack tactics ineffective.
- Eastern Front: Russia experienced mixed fortunes, achieving initial successes against Austria but suffering defeats against Germany, leading to the loss of Warsaw and Poland.
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The Dardanelles Campaign: Launched to open up a supply line to Russia, the campaign was a complete failure.
- Initial naval attack: The first stage, a naval attack through the Dardanelles in March 1915, was unsuccessful due to Turkish mines.
- Landings: Subsequent landings by British, Australian, and New Zealand forces (Anzacs) in April and August proved equally unfruitful.
- Withdrawal: In December, the Allied forces were withdrawn.
- Salonika: A Franco-British force landed in Salonika (Greece) to relieve Serbia but arrived too late, as Serbia was overrun by Bulgaria and Germany.
- Mesopotamia: A British army dispatched to protect Anglo-Persian oil interests became bogged down in Mesopotamia, facing a Turkish siege at Kut-el-Amara from December 1915 to March 1916.
1915
- Italy's entry into the war: In May 1915, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, aiming to seize Italian-speaking provinces and territory along the Adriatic Sea. This was based on a secret treaty signed in London.
- Italy's lack of success: Despite their efforts, the Italian advances were limited, failing to reduce pressure on the Russians.
1916
-
Western Front: Two major battles defined the year, Verdun and the Somme:
- Verdun: A massive German attack launched in February aiming to destroy French forces. While the French sustained heavy losses, the Germans also suffered significant casualties and failed to gain any territorial advantage.
- The Somme: A series of British offensives, starting on 1 July and lasting until November, intended to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun. Although costly, the Somme and Verdun battles contributed to the eventual Allied victory.
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David Lloyd George becomes British Prime Minister: In December 1916, Lloyd George replaced Asquith as British Prime Minister, playing a crucial role in the Allied war effort.
- Contributions: Lloyd George's dynamic and decisive leadership included improving munitions supply, encouraging development of new weapons (tanks and light mortars), centralizing the war effort, and establishing a small war cabinet.
- Eastern Front: Russia launched a major offensive under Brusilov in June 1916, successfully breaking the Austrian front. Although this diverted German attention from Verdun, the costly campaign exhausted the Russians.
- Romania's entry and defeat: Romania joined the war in August 1916 but was quickly overrun by the Germans, losing their wheat and oil supplies.
Naval Warfare
-
Battle of Jutland (31 May 1916): The only major naval engagement between the British and German fleets during the war.
- German objective: German Admiral von Scheer aimed to lure out and destroy a portion of the British fleet.
- Result: A technically inconclusive battle, as the Germans lost 11 ships to Britain's 14, but the British maintained control of the seas.
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Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (January 1917): Desperate due to food shortages and the British naval blockade, the Germans initiated this ruthless campaign.
- Aim: To sink all Allied and neutral merchant ships in the Atlantic, even at the risk of drawing the USA into the war.
- Consequences: Despite achieving significant success (peaking in April 1917 with 430 ships lost), the strategy ultimately backfired.
- Convoy System: The introduction of the convoy system by Lloyd George, where merchant ships sailed together for protection, ultimately helped to counter the German submarine threat.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the First World War, focusing on the significant events and aspects of the conflict between 1914 and 1918. From the major alliances to the conditions of trench warfare, this quiz covers key topics that shaped this global conflict. Determine how well you understand the Great War and its impact on history.
