IGCSE History: World War I – Reasons for the Gallipoli Campaign
Reasons for the Gallipoli Campaign:
Russia was nearing defeated in early 1915 (winter):
The only route for British troops to reach her was through the sea of Marmara andRussia’s Black Sea ports:
- All other ports were frozen.
If Russia fell Germany would be greatly strengthened.
Turkey needed to be forced from the war:
- It was allied with Germany.
By forcing Turkey from the war it was possible this would convince the neutral nations in the area to give aid to the Allies:
- If this happened Austria-Hungary and Germany would be geographically surrounded.
It was First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill’s idea. He thought it was a way of breaking the stalemate on the Western Front:
- If the Allies could occupy Turkey Germany would have to divert troops and supplies from the Western Front to defend their borders with Turkey.
- This should allow a breakthrough on the Western Front.
- Also, this diversion of troops and supplies would result in Germany possibly removing troops from its front with Russia which would give Russia some reprieve.
