Halifax Explosion
Why was the port in Halifax important?
It was a key port for moving troops and munitions
How many tons of gas were the Germans estimated to use?
It has been estimated that the Germans
used 68,000 tons of gas against Allied
soldiers
What were German trenches like?
As the Germans were the first to decide where to stand fast and dig, they had been able to choose the best places to build their trenches. The possession of the higher ground not only gave the Germans a tactical advantage.
What is conscription?
Conscription is military service by all men of a certain age. It is required by law.
When did the treaty of Versailles end?
Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28th 1919 after months of argument and negotiation
How powerful was the explosion?
It was stronger than any man made explosion before it.
How many men were estimated to be killed by poison gas?
Between 1914 and 1918, more than
91,000 men were killed as a result
of poison gas
What was the problem with Allie trenches?
As soon as soldiers began to dig down they would invariably find water two or three feet below the surface. Most of the Allie trenches were water logged.
What percent of recruits were farmers?
Roughly 60% of early recruits were farmers.
When did the ceasefire/surrender happen?
Armistice (ceasefire/surrender) signed on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m.
How many were killed?
more than 1,500 people were killed outright
Did poison gas help any side more?
It didn't help any side significantly but it did increase the level of suffering for both sides.
What was the dangerous land called between the two opposing trenches?
No Man's Land is the term used by soldiers to describe the ground between the two opposing trenches.
The war was costing $1 million a day. Victory Bonds were sold to help support the war but people were financially strained.
Where was the treaty signed?
The Palace of Versailles in Paris
How far did the explosion send the anchor?
Part of the anchor hit the ground more than 4 kilometers away on the far side of Northwest Arm.
Gas casualties accounted for almost 3,000,000 total casualties.
What were the many trench horrors soldiers had to suffer with throughout the life in the trenches?
Rats, lice, dysentery, trench foot, and a host of other hardships made life in the trenches horrific and impossible to forget.
How many men were conscripted and how many actually went?
About 120,000 were conscripted and only 24,000 went to war
Who were the big three affecting the treaty?
David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Woodrow Wilson
How much money did the Canadian government give for relief?
Canadian government gave $18 million
When did the Germans first use chlorine gas?
The German Army first used chlorine gas cylinders
in April 1915 against the Allies at the Second Battle of Ypres.
What was the main food soldiers were given?
The bulk of their diet in the trenches was bully beef
(caned corned beef), bread and biscuits
What did conscription positively change?
The opportunity for all women to vote came soon after.
It left a mood of anger throughout Germany as it was felt that as a nation Germany had been unfairly treated. This anger and mistreatment would leave a gap of power that someone would fill to begin WWII