Great War

• What were Scotland's main industries before World War One?

  Coal mining, iron/steel, engineering, shipbuilding
• Which companies were world leaders in shipbuilding and engineering in Scotland?

  Beardmore, John Brown, Fairfields
• How many workers did the leading shipbuilding companies employ?

  100,000s of workers
• What was an important industry in Dundee?

  Jute
• What was Aberdeen known for before World War One?

  A major fishing port
• Why were strikes common among workers in Scotland?

  Workers sought better pay and conditions
• What role did police play in the strikes in Scotland?

  Police were often involved in violent strikes
• What were the three main political parties in Scotland in 1914?

  Liberals, Conservatives, Labour
• Which political party was the largest in Scotland in 1914?

  Liberals
• How many MPs were Liberals in Scotland in 1914?

  58 out of 60 MPs
• Who was the Prime Minister of the UK from 1906 to 1914?

  Herbert Asquith
• What percentage of the Scottish population lived in Scotland's four main cities?

  30%
• What type of living conditions did many people in Scotland's cities face?

  Overcrowded, dark, and poorly ventilated tenements
• What was the most urgent issue in the Scottish Highlands before World War One?

  Land to live on and farm
• What symbol did women give to men who did not enlist in WW1?

  White feathers
• Why did men feel pressured to enlist in WW1?

  To avoid being labeled as cowards
• How did many men perceive the war before it started?

  As an adventure that would end quickly
• What role did propaganda play in encouraging enlistment?

  Promoted duty and patriotism
• What did Scottish martial tradition promote?

  Scots as natural warriors
• What did news stories about German soldiers in Belgium lead Scots to believe?

  They needed to protect democracy and rights
• How did families influence men to enlist in WW1?

  They pressured men to avoid disappointment
• What was the geographical layout of the Western Front?

  Trenches from North Sea to Swiss border
• What was the main tactic used in battles on the Western Front?

  Concentrate men for a frontal assault
• What was an artillery barrage?

  Heavy artillery firing to destroy enemy trenches
• What did soldiers do before an attack on the Western Front?

  Crawled through no man's land and cut wire
• What happened at 'zero hour' during an attack?

  Officers signaled men to climb out of trenches
• What challenges did men face when crossing no man's land?

  Heavy machine gun and artillery fire
• What was significant about the Battle of Loos in 1915?

  First battle where Britain used gas
• What was the outcome of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916?

  20,000 British soldiers died by 10 am
• Why was the Battle of the Somme nicknamed the "blackest day"?

  It had the highest casualties in British history
• What was notable about the Battle of Arras in 1917?

  Largest concentration of Scots fighting together
• What new tactic was used at the Battle of Arras?

  Advance and consolidate ground taken
• What were some of the hardships faced in the trenches?

  Rats, water-logged trenches, body lice
• What size were some of the rats in the trenches?

  As big as kittens
• How was drinking water treated in the trenches?

  Treated with chlorine tablets
• What was the effect of rain on trench conditions?

  Caused water-logging and overflowed toilets
• What condition could develop from standing in bacteria-filled water?

  Trench foot
• Why did Scots in kilts suffer particularly in the trenches?

  Body lice liked the pleated folds
• What mental health issue did soldiers suffer from due to trench conditions?

  Shell shock
• How did soldiers often have to sleep in the trenches?

  Sitting up in mud or on fire-step