Question 1

What were the main causes of World War One?

Accepted Answer

The main causes are often summarised as MAIN: Militarism (arms race, glorification of war), Alliances (Triple Entente vs Triple Alliance), Imperialism (rivalry over colonies, especially in Africa and the Balkans), and Nationalism (especially in the Balkans, where Slavic nationalism threatened Austria-Hungary). The immediate trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in June 1914, which led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, activating the alliance system.

Question 2

Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?

Accepted Answer

The Schlieffen Plan failed for several reasons. First, Belgium resisted more strongly than expected, delaying the German advance. Second, the Russian army mobilised faster than anticipated, forcing Germany to divert troops east. Third, the British Expeditionary Force arrived quickly to support the French. Finally, the French counterattacked at the Battle of the Marne (September 1914), halting the German advance and forcing them to dig in, leading to trench warfare.

Question 3

What was life like in the trenches?

Accepted Answer

Life in the trenches was miserable and dangerous. Soldiers faced constant shelling, sniper fire, and the risk of disease from rats, lice, and trench foot (caused by standing in water). They had little sleep, poor food, and lived in muddy, cramped conditions. There was also the psychological strain of waiting for attacks. Despite this, soldiers developed routines, such as 'stand-to' at dawn and dusk, and sometimes arranged informal truces, like the Christmas Truce of 1914.

Question 4

How did the USA's entry into the war affect the outcome?

Accepted Answer

The USA entered the war in April 1917, after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram was revealed. American troops (the American Expeditionary Forces) arrived in large numbers from 1918, boosting Allied morale and providing fresh, well-supplied soldiers. This helped the Allies launch the Hundred Days Offensive, which broke the German lines. The USA also provided crucial financial and material support, which helped sustain the Allied war effort.

Question 5

What was the significance of the Battle of the Somme?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of the Somme (July-November 1916) was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, with over one million casualties. It is significant because it exemplifies the horrors of attrition warfare: the first day alone saw 57,000 British casualties, the worst in British military history. Although the Allies gained only a few miles, the battle relieved pressure on the French at Verdun and weakened the German army. It also led to tactical changes, such as the use of creeping barrages and tanks.

Question 6

Why did Germany surrender in 1918?

Accepted Answer

Germany surrendered due to a combination of military and domestic factors. Militarily, the Spring Offensive (March-July 1918) failed to break the Allies, and the Hundred Days Offensive pushed the German army back. Domestically, the British naval blockade caused severe food shortages, leading to strikes and mutinies. The German High Command, realising defeat was inevitable, advised the Kaiser to abdicate, and a new government signed the armistice on 11 November 1918 to avoid further bloodshed.

Conflict and tension: the First World War, 1894–1918

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