World War One The Great War and the Weapons Involved

Why was World War One considered ‘The Great War’? Yet, it was more than just a war between nations. It was a war between what was and what was to be. The "old world" was dying, and the new world had yet to be born. People of all classes and nations saw it as some great cleansing fire that would accelerate this battle and lead to a better world. But, when it was over, more than men had died in the mud of the battlefields. The naive dreams of progress, along with the innocence of the pre-war world, faith in God, and hope in the future all died in the trenches of Europe. - Tony Novosel The Great War

Maps Western Front Eastern Front

New Weapons Because technology was being improved during this war it became possible for bigger, better and more dangerous weapons to be created. These included: Machine Guns Tanks Gases

Crude versions of machine guns had previously been seen before WWI. However, they were impractical and couldn’t keep up with rapid fighting. During the war people improved the idea behind the machine gun and developed a weapon that was capable of killing hundreds of men in a matter of minutes.

Tanks The British First developed the tank. They called it ‘Little Willie’. Soon the Germans and Americans began production of their own.

Gases Several different types of Gases came out during WWI. Soldiers never had to deal with this before and it came as a huge shock to them. Gas masks were created as a result.

Questions Ask yourself these questions: 1.How did these weapons change warfare? 2. What is the importance of these weapons?