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.