History A-Level
The cult of the offensive
What The cult of the offensive means in History A-Level, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definition of The cult of the offensive
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Reference: Pearson Edexcel
A belief that high morale and rapid infantry assaults could overcome defensive firepower, embraced by military planners before 1914.
Topics that use The cult of the offensive
- Paper 3, Option 37.1: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality - 2 Technology of defence: machine guns, smokeless powder and artillery, c1900–16 (Pearson Edexcel A-Level)
Related terms
- Command and control
- Perception versus reality in pre-1914 planning
- Smokeless propellants and machine guns
- Technology and doctrine
- Technology and stalemate
- Attrition warfare
- Defence in depth and logistics
- Offensive spirit and Plan XVII
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