Scotland & The Great War Recruitment Starter: Why would men sign up in large numbers to fight in a war? Write a list of your reasons.

Today we will… Revise the causes of the First World War Identify the reasons for recruitment into the army Explain the reasons why so many Scots volunteered

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front What you need to know… Exam questions will focus on the following: Voluntary Recruitment Life on the Western Front The Scots Regiments Wider role of Scots in WWI

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front The outbreak of war Long term causes – the British/ German naval race, trade rivalry, alliances Short term causes – assassination at Sarajevo

Europe’s two armed camps The Triple Entente (or Entente Cordiale) The Triple Alliance (or Central Powers) BRITAIN GERMANY FRANCE AUSTRIA- HUNGARY RUSSIA ITALY

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Outbreak of War Britain joined the Great War on August 4th 1914 after the German invasion of Belgium. Britain had promised to guarantee Belgian neutrality – Germany invaded using the Schlieffen Plan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/four-main-causes-of-the-first-world-war/5646.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/assassination_video.shtml

Scots Recruitment in WW1 Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Scots Recruitment in WW1 Following the invasion of Belgium, Britain sent a small force – the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to France on August 10th 1914, roughly 100,000 men. This was far too small for modern warfare. The Secretary State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener put out an urgent call for volunteers to join the armed forces.

Scots Recruitment in WW1 Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Scots Recruitment in WW1 All young men aged 19-35 were asked to volunteer and it was a huge success. By 1915 almost 1¼ million men volunteered. However more Scots volunteered in proportion to the population than any other part of Britain e.g. by the end of august 1914 over 20,000 had volunteered to fight from Glasgow alone.

Why did so many Scots volunteer? Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? Patriotism – a love for your country Belgian atrocities – supposed treatment of Belgians by German soldiers Peer pressure – friends volunteered, girl friends, fathers Guilt - fear of white feather Sense of adventure – get away from mundane lives. Money – wages in the army were higher than in many jobs – a shilling a day

‘Over by Christmas’ Young men were convinced by propaganda and censored newspapers that the war would be ‘won by Christmas’ They didn’t want to miss a chance to be a hero

Government recruitment posters played on patriotism, sense of duty and sense of adventure

Why did so many Scots volunteer? Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? Along with standard reasons, there were also particular reasons for Scottish soldiers: Scottish martial (fighting) tradition inspired many. Scotland suffered higher unemployment and more widespread poverty than most areas in Britain. The army was a chance for a regular job and wage. ‘pals battalions’ - many Scots rushed to join up together to fight alongside friends.

Why did so many Scots volunteer? Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? There were two famous ‘pals’ battalions’ the 15th battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (the HLI were Glasgow’s regiment) called the ‘Tramway Battalion’ as it was made up mainly of tram drivers and workers. McCrae’s Battalion who were made up of the Heart of Midlothian football team & supporters.

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Tramway Battalion The ‘Tramway Battalion’ were the Glasgow regiment of the Highland Light Infantry. The ‘Tramway Battalion’ were the fastest recruited battalion in the history of the British Army – some 1100 recruits in 16 hours. The ‘Tramway Battalion’ fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front McCrae’s Battalion The footballers of Heart of Midlothian football team continued to play football once the war had started and they were accused of cowardice for continuing with the “awful farce of football”. The Edinburgh Evening News suggested that they should be renamed “The White Feathers of Midlothian”. Sir George McCrae launched an appeal for recruits and within 7 days, 13 professional footballers and 100s of supporters had signed up. McCrae’s suffered massive losses at the Battle of the Somme and 3 players were killed.

McCrae’s Battalion Memorial

Why did so many Scots volunteer? Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front Why did so many Scots volunteer? The pals’ battalions were soon discouraged when it became clear the disastrous effect it could have on communities. As pal’s battalions fought together, in battles where there were heavy losses, there were communities where large numbers of men were killed. Memorial built in 1922 to the soldiers of McCrae’s battalion who were killed.

The Scottish Experience in WW1 Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front The Scottish Experience in WW1 Trench warfare By Christmas 1914 due to poor weather and exhaustion the troops on both sides began to dig trenches for protection and shelter. Soon these trenches would stretch 600 miles from the English Channel to Switzerland. The trench would be the main feature of warfare between 1914 – 1918.

The Scottish Experience in WW1 Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front The Scottish Experience in WW1

The Scottish Experience in WW1 Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front The Scottish Experience in WW1 Life in a trench: Muddy conditions leading to trench foot. Vermin e.g. lice, corpse rats, clouds of flies in summer. Boredom e.g. cleaning weapons, filling sand bags, basic food rations etc. Constant fear of death led to nervous breakdowns e.g. snipers, shell shock. Basic food rations – bully beef, biscuits, tinned jam, stale bread Censorship of letters, worrying about wives etc. left behind.

The Scottish Experience in WW1 Issue 1: Scots on the Western Front The Scottish Experience in WW1 Research Task - Life in a trench: As a pair, or a small group, you are going to investigate one aspect of trench life and produce an informative PowerPoint. You should know the basics from S3, but you need to research your topic in a lot more detail and find sources, photographs, testimonies that can be used to support your findings. You should have: Detailed information Primary sources Specific Scottish examples (soldiers, battalions etc.)