Reasons for the Growth of Trench Warfare Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated
Book a free 10-min call See pricing

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is trench warfare?

Trench warfare is when armies fight from long, dug-out ditches facing each other, instead of moving quickly across open ground.

How did the Battle of the Marne in 1914 help cause trench warfare?

At the Marne, the Germans were stopped and both sides failed to win a quick victory, so they dug trenches to hold their positions and protect themselves.

Why did a stalemate develop on the Western Front in 1914?

A stalemate developed because neither side could push the other back, so both armies dug long lines of trenches and held on instead of moving.

Why did machine guns encourage the use of trenches?

Machine guns could fire many bullets very quickly, killing soldiers in the open, so troops dug trenches to shelter from this deadly fire.

How did artillery help trench warfare to grow?

Powerful artillery shells could kill from far away, so soldiers needed deep trenches and dugouts to survive heavy bombardments.

Why was barbed wire important in the spread of trench warfare?

Barbed wire in front of trenches slowed and trapped attacking soldiers, making it easier for defenders to shoot them, so trenches became hard to attack.

Why did soldiers choose to fight from trenches rather than in the open?

Fighting in the open led to huge casualties, so soldiers chose trenches because they gave cover from bullets, shells and enemy fire.

What was the Race to the Sea and how did it lead to more trenches?

The Race to the Sea was when both sides tried to move around each other’s flank in 1914, but each move was blocked and new trenches were dug, creating a line from the North Sea to Switzerland.

How did railways help trench warfare to develop?

Railways let armies move men and supplies quickly to threatened areas, so defenders could block attacks and keep their trench lines strong.

Why was it hard to break through trench lines in 1914–15?

It was hard to break through because attackers had to cross open ground and no man’s land under machine gun and artillery fire, but did not yet have new weapons like tanks to smash defences.

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Lesson