Weapons of World War I How did new

Weapons of World War I How did new weapons affect the war?

New Use of Technology • Fighting in WW I was like no other war in world history • The war featured “traditional” weapons of war like artillery cannons, grenade launchers & trench mortars • However, new technology created more efficient weapons that had a purpose to inflict a maximum amount of casualties

The Machine Gun • • • Invented by Hiram Maxim for German Army, but used by all sides Fired ammunition automatically Most commonly used during trench warfare Advantage: Take out waves of attackers, hard for troops to advance Disadvantage: Heavy, hot, main reason for bloody stalemates

The Tank • Using ideas from Frederick Simms, Ernest Swinton of the British army developed an armored combat vehicle • Moved on caterpillar-like chain tracks, could cross all types of terrain • Advantages: major firepower including several machine guns and https: //www. youtube sometimes a cannon, hard to disable. com/watch? v=ca 0 C • Disadvantages: Very slow, hot & cramped Zn. XU 2 m. Y Discuss: Do you think the tank was an effective weapon?

The U-Boat (Submarine) • • • Developed by and used almost exclusively by the Germans Was a warship that could dive underwater U-Boats used an underwater missile called a torpedo to destroy ships Advantages: Very hard to see or detect (sneak attacks) Disadvantages: cramped conditions & leaks

Aviation – Airplanes • Attacks could now come from the sky • Dropped bombs or shot at targets • Bombers had 2 seats & Fighters had 1 seat • Advantages: Quick & agile • Disadvantages: little room & flimsy Aviation – Zeppelins “Death From Above” • Developed in Germany, they were used to drop bombs • Advantages: could carry more bombs, men, equipment and their size made them intimidating https: //www. youtube. com/watch • Disadvantages: not agile, big target ? v=u. Zqq. WSUirls

Battle of the Skies During World War I Discuss: Do you think the Zeppelin was an effective weapon? 1. 2. Describe how planes are used as a weapon and where did some pilots crash? Why do you think the Zeppelin was so intimidating and how did the Allies destroy one?

Poison Gas • French first to used tear gas to disable an enemy • Later, Germans develop mustard gas & ammonia based poison gas • Because Germany used it, Allies start using it as well • Advantage: fairly undetectable, enemy doesn’t see it coming • Disadvantage: seen as a very unethical weapon causing blindness, choking, blisters, death, banned after WW I

• Nearly 90 K of the 9. 7 million killed-in-action were due to poison gas Country Total KIAs Gas Deaths Austria-Hungary 1. 2 million 3, 000 908, 371 8, 109 France 1. 4 million 8, 000 Germany 1. 8 million 9, 000 650, 000 4, 627 1. 7 million 56, 000 USA 116, 708 1, 462 Ottoman Empire 800, 000 1, 000 British Empire Italy Russia Discuss: Who suffered the most from poison gas and why?