If you re Germany, how can you attack France with a better plan?

Transcription

1 World War I Begins

2 European Economy Stock Markets closed in WW1 because there was a very open market At the beginning of 1914, capital was free to flow from one country to another without barriers. All the major countries of the world were on the Gold Standard, and differences in exchange rates between countries could be arbitraged by buying and selling bonds in different markets. In effect, this made European stock exchanges a single, integrated market. By 1914, cables stretched across the oceans of the world, and money as well as stock orders could be wired telegraphically from one corner of the world to another in minutes. Traders throughout the world could sell bonds and shares instantly, and it was the fear of massive selling, and the impact this would have on global markets that led to the shutdown of European exchanges.

3 If you re Germany, how can you attack France with a better plan?

4 Why Canada got involved... Canada was a British Colony, so when Britain declared war, we automatically joined in the conflict on August 4th 1914 Britain declared war on Germany because they violated the neutrality of Belgium when they used the Schlieffen Plan (Alfred von Schlieffen originally created the plan in 1906) Rather than attack France head on, they tried to attack through Belgium instead He assumed it work because: Russia would take at least 6 weeks to mobilise. France would be easily defeated in 6 weeks. Belgium would not resist any German attack. Britain would remain neutral.

5 Why Canada got involved... The Schlieffen Plan, executed on 2nd August 1914, failed because: Britain did not remain neutral; they mobilized to assist the Belgian army, and Britain arrived very quickly; many soldiers were already serving with the British Expeditionary Force 10 Days later, the Russians attacked Germany on its eastern border, drawing troops away from France The Germans had to change their attack direction, which prolonged their plans

6 Canada s Excitement in 1914 Imperialists and nonimperialist politicians were both excited by the prospect of war (it was seen as a way to unite Canadians, especially the English and French Canadians) Many men, including unemployed men, saw the war as an opportunity for a temporary adventure More than 30,000 troops volunteered, 2/3rds of whom were recent British immigrants (the requirements became less strict as the war went on) The war was seen as a necessary defense of the mother countries

7 Building a Canadian Army Sam Hughes was made Minister of the Canadian Militia by Prime Minister Robert Borden; his job was to train, equip, and find volunteers for the volunteer army Canadians trained in the Valcartier Camp in Quebec; it ended up being a huge tent city, and had one of the biggest rifle ranges in the British Empire It was frantically put together (railways were far, waterlines were needed, supplies needed to be delivered, and telephone lines needed to be connected) Some useless skills were taught (like swordmanship) and useful skills were left out (like artillery operations, though eventually a range was constructed)

8 Valcartier Photos

9 Building a Canadian Army Many people criticized Sam Hughes military decisions, and for how he treated his soldiers and staff (soldiers chanted about their dislike for him) Hughes was very stubborn about having Canadian soldiers use the Ross Rifle, a Canadian built gun The rifle jammed often in the mud It also overheated often Canadian soldiers would ditch these weapons for British rifles (like the LeeEnfield Rifle, which were more reliable and fired at a faster rate it was used by the British army from 1890 s to the 1980 s)

10 Sam Hughes the End of his career Sam Hughes resigned as leader of the Militia in November 1916 He alienated many Canadians He was faulted with the poor organization of the Canadian military Although many other factors were involved, military defeats were blamed on Sam Hughes It should still be noted that he did play a large role in the mobilization of the militia

11 What can inferences can you make from this political cartoon about the Canadian military about the changes from 1914 present?