Introduction of Technology - WWI

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Coursework 1C

The introduction of new technology helped break the stalemate on the Western Front as they had been kept totally under wraps and the Germans were not expecting them. The tanks were a great help to the Entente as machine guns could not penetrate them and they could cross No Man’s land easily. They were able to go over very rough ground due to their tracks and penetrate barbed wire. However, the tanks often overheated and broke down, they often got stuck in thick, heavy mud and when the tanks did break through the line, they often struggled to achieve the objective as tactics were not always thought through after the tank had invaded.

The American entry into the war was a significant breakthrough, as it meant Britain had another massive power on their side. However, this development was significantly hindered as the AEF only numbered 6,064 officers and 80,969 men. In roughly the same time span in 1914, the BEF had got 354,750 men into the field. The addition of the Americans was not technically effective – it appeared to be more of a political strategy than achieving anything on a major scale. However it would certainly frighten the Germans to think that such a strong country would support the opposition.

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The blockading of German ports was also a significant factor in breaking the stalemate as it meant the Germans could not receive supplies for troops. This basically led to the lowering of morale, revolts within the troops and the troops were reluctant to fight in such poor conditions, and so the German army were weakened. Transportation via the sea was the quickest way to travel at the time. The Navy blockades also meant the Germans could not fight at sea with their Navy. The only weapon the Germans had to use at sea were the U-Boat submarines. Germany were ...

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