Why was WWI fought in the trenches?

Lesson Aim:

To be able to explain in detail why WWI ended up as trench warfare.

TASK: On your mini whiteboard, draw 3 key events that you remember happening from the Schlieffen plan.

Re-cap Schlieffen Plan

Allies

Germany

Race to the Sea

Why was WWI fought in the trenches?Read p225 – Write Q and A.

1. At the Battle of Marne what were the two problems for Germany?

2. What date in 1914 did the ‘charge’ of the race to the sea start?

3. What was the race to the sea? (second para)

4. What date was the first Battle of Ypres in Belgium?

5. How many soldiers were lost by each side?

6. General Haig and the British held the ground, what was the benefit of this?

7. At the end of 1914, the fighting had reached what? (add detail).

1. At the Battle of Marne what were the two problems for Germany?Germany was caught in a war of two fronts (West and East against the Russians). Also, the German generals realised they couldn’t break through enemy lines.

2. What date in 1914 did the ‘charge’ of the race to the sea start?12th October, 1914

3. What was the race to the sea?As the Germans charged west towards the sea, the British and French troops moved to block them whenever it seemed that the Germans were about to break through. These became known as the ‘railway battles’ as troops on both sides were transported on trains.

4. What date was the First Battle of Ypres in Belgium?12th October – 11 November, 1914.

5. How many soldiers were lost by each side?The BEF lost around 50,000 men led by General Haig. The Germans lost around 100,000 men.

6. General Haig and the British held the ground, what was the benefit of this?It meant that Britain could keep control of English channel ports which meant that they could be supplied with equipment and reinforcements.

7. At the end of 1914, the fighting had reached what?Stalemate – This lasted until 1918. Millions of soldiers on both sides were dug into trenches from the sea in the west to the Alps. This became known as the ‘Western Front.’

Look at the feedback from your 6 mark Q.

Q) Explain why the WWI reached stalemate? (6 marks).

Look at your sheet for guidance on how to write it.

What could we write about?

Mark your work!

Use the mark scheme:

2 things they did well

1 improvement

2-3 marks: Basic points described.

3-4 marks: One reason explained.

5-6 marks: Two reasons explained.

RESOURCES