Scots on the western front

Military traditions
1. scots known as fierce andas having a tough reputation due to the inderpendence wars(jacobytes)
2. clan traditions leant themselves to military traditions
3. Darwins theory of evolution lead to ideas that some races were born with a certain characteristic, such as people believed scots were inheritantly more fierce and better at fighting.
4. In trenches complains of arrogance - among comments of Scots being loyal and reliable
5. Distinct clans with their distinct kilts and appearances- made Scottish troops easier to identify.
Scotland comparatively poorer to England many men who signed up did so to escape poverty
Reasons For Signing up
1. adventure- promise of excitement, War hysteria
2. War propaganda- ( the suffragettes quit their campaign to produce war propaganda in favour of men signing up)
  1. Stories of gernams bayontting babiesand raping nuns and nurses in Belgium
3. idea of 'pals battalions' having fun with your friends
4. they thought it would be over by xmas
5. it was honourable and many saw it as defending Britain
6. patriotism and nationalism
7. peer pressure caused by family and friends- woman were encouraged to send husbands some employers like the Lord Earl....threatened to fire workers if they didn't join up.

Resource summary

	Created by xo over 10 years ago