Question 1: When did the first extensive use of trench warfare occur during World War I?

Answer: 1914

Question 2: Name one major battle where trench warfare was a defining feature.

Answer: The Battle of the Somme

Question 3: Who was the British commander responsible for early trench strategies?

Answer: Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig

Question 4: Describe two conditions faced by soldiers living in the trenches.

Answer: Soldiers faced mud, rats, disease, and constant threat of enemy attack.

Question 5: What was the primary purpose of trench warfare during WWI?

Answer: To defend positions and break through enemy lines

Question 1: Source: 'The trenches are a muddy, rat-infested hell, but they are the only thing standing between us and the enemy.' What can you infer about the conditions in the trenches from this source?

Answer: The source indicates the trenches were extremely dirty, dangerous, and unpleasant, highlighting the harsh reality faced by soldiers.

Question 2: Evaluate the reliability of this quote as a primary source about trench conditions.

Answer: It is likely reliable as a firsthand account, but may be biased by the soldier's personal experience and emotional state.

Question 3: Who do you think was the intended audience for this source, and why?

Answer: Likely fellow soldiers or the public to convey the hardships of trench life and garner support.

Question 1: Explain why trench warfare became the dominant form of combat during WWI.

Answer: Trench warfare developed due to the need for static defensive positions, technological advances in artillery, and the inability of armies to quickly break through entrenched lines, leading to a stalemate.

Question 2: Describe how technological developments, such as machine guns and barbed wire, influenced trench warfare tactics.

Answer: These technologies made frontal assaults costly and ineffective, encouraging defensive trench systems and attrition strategies.

Question 3: Explain the significance of trenches in the overall strategy of WWI.

Answer: Trenches provided defensive advantages, shaped the war's static nature, and symbolized the brutal and attritional character of WWI combat.

Question 1: To what extent was trench warfare responsible for the stalemate on the Western Front during WWI? (8-12 marks)

Answer: Trench warfare was a major factor contributing to the stalemate, as it made offensive operations costly and difficult. The extensive system of trenches, combined with technological innovations like machine guns, prevented quick breakthroughs, leading to prolonged deadlock. However, other factors such as strategic limitations, terrain, and political objectives also played roles. Overall, trench warfare significantly entrenched the war's static nature, but it was part of a complex set of causes for the stalemate.