Essay about WWI weaponry

Submitted By jialewan
Words: 1016
Pages: 5
Open Document
WWI New Weaponry

Some people define war as a time of death and horror, but others sometimes define war as a time where many new technologies are being created. During the World War I, countries that were fighting each other starts to find if there is any new ways the war can be fought. From the concept of trench warfare to the new ways of convincing people to join the war using simple propagandas. The new weapons used in the WWI greatly changed the way battles were fought on trenches, sea, and land. Poison gas were used to physically damage hordes of people while killing off the lucky ones, submarines (U-boats) were able to destroy ship in stealth, and heavy armoured tanks were used to easily destroy anything coming at its way. To start, battles in trenches before the use of poison gas were brutal and long lasting. Many soldiers would die from diseases and infections and artillery shells. Poison gas was first used by the French using xylyl bromide against the Germans in late 1914. Many German soldiers suffered under the xylyl bromide, tear gas. After that battle, Germans then started to put major studies in poison gas useage in the war. The first few battle where the Germans used poison gas were unsuccessful. Mainly because that the wind was blowing the wrong direction. However, in april 22, 1915, at the Second Battle of Ypres, Germans had a successful run using the chlorine gas to attack the French(A). Once the effectiveness of the poison gas was known to the public, everyone started using poison gases in the war including trench battles. British was the second to respond to the useage of poison gas. At the Battle of the Loos, around 400 chlorine gas emplacements were established among the British front line around Loos. The gas was released by turning a cock on each cylinder(A). From that battle, French, British, and Germany all suffered from the poisonous gas due to the wide range of the poison and the undetermined wind direction. From the consequence, experiments were undertaken to allow poison gas to be released by artillery shells; this provided the additional benefits of increasing the target range as well as the variety of gases released(A). The use of the poison gas rarely kills soldiers. Most soldiers who faced the poison gas would be injured. Therefore, during WWI it is a requirement to carry around gas masks during a trench battle(A). Additionally, the use of submarines during the World War I completely changed the way battles were fought on sea. However, the first “modern” submarines were not invented during the WWI; it was made by a U.S Naval engineer, John Holland, in the 1880’s. Its goal was to blasts compressed air under water to sink ships. During The Great War however submarines were able to shoot torpedoes, and attack ships on the surface of the sea with the attached machine guns. Prior to WWI, submarines played only a small role in the plans of fleet commanders, serving primarily only as coastal defense units. Commanders believed that the submarine was only a plaything, something for the younger officers to sharpen their teeth on (C). However, the belief was proven wrong when the German U-boats led by Otto Weddigen sunk 3 British armored cruisers in the North Sea. Once the news of U-boats attacking cruisers was out, the rest of the world panicked and started to take strong notice of submarines. However, it was a little too late. Germans by April of 1916, had already destroyed 849,000 tons of shipping owned by the British ships were lost. One out of every four British merchant ships that left port had never returned. The German U-boats totally dominated the sea battles and took control of all the shipping trades around the Mediterranean sea. With the lack of trading ships, Britain only got about 3 weeks of grain supply before they went into submission. In February 1917, in an attempt to starve Britain into submission, Germany ordered the resumption of unrestricted submarine
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about WWI weaponry

Art and War Essay example

Kervin Matos ArtH 111 Professor Hendrick Dey The Iron Machaira (also known as the kopis) is truly a work of art. The Iron Machaira has been used by the Greeks , which was introduce as the Greek weaponry for close range. As I stated before, the kopis is a heave sword/knife with a curving blade in order to cut a living flesh. This weapon shows an improvement from the cavalry sword. Throughout periods in history, there has been a new technology advances and improvement of weapons. Although, the…

Words 666 - Pages 3

Personal Narrative: All Quiet On The Western Front

WWI was a horribly excruciating war as evidenced by the new weaponry and technology that came about during this time. Throughout the war there were constantly new developments in machinery to try and beat out the enemy. Since all of the technology was new, and most of the powerful countries at the time were engaged in the war, there was little to prevent certain weapons from being used like there is today. An example of this is poison gas, the beginning of chemical warfare. The gas was very easy…

Words 503 - Pages 3

Chapter 28 Study Guide Essay

Chapter 28 Study Guide 1. The Ottoman Empire fired the shots that ignited WWI 2. Europeans were meddling in Ottoman affairs because Russia saw itself as the protector of the Slavic people. France and Britain were protecting Christian minorities and controlled Ottoman finances, taxes, railroads, mines and public utilities. 3. In Russia, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire nationalism was a dividing force. 4. Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Libya Entente Powers- Britain, Ireland…

Words 1636 - Pages 7

Effects Of Ww1 On American Literature

to Enter WWI and its Effects on American Literature In WWI, 12 million letters were delivered to the front line each week, by the end of the war, 2 billion letters and 114 million parcels had been delivered. WWI was the cause of secret alliances between European countries, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Only after the near exhaustion of European troops, and some key events did the US join the war, turning the tide in favor of the allies. The US entry into WWI was caused…

Words 1130 - Pages 5

Science Technology And Ww1

Science, Technology and WWI I. General Considerations WWI (1914-1918): 10M lives lost although many new weapons developed from mid 19th century onwards, never used in prolonged war between major powers while new technologies are introduced during WWI, initial war strategies and tactics did not change in terms of choices related to time, space, transportation of men and materials think about differences in our knowledge about heroes and generals between WWI and WWII – WWI military often regarded…

Words 1352 - Pages 6

Essay about World War I.

States of America has always been neutral during World War I. The United States traded with all of the countries battling in the war and did not cease until 1914. Although President Woodrow wanted to keep the peace, the entry of the United States into WWI was inevitable. The prevention of supply ships from the U.S. to Britain, investments with the French and British, and the Zimmerman note all helped the U.S. make its’ decision to join in World War I. The United States started out neutral but when…

Words 594 - Pages 3

Impacts Of The Trench Warfare On The Western Front Essay

the Western Front searches the necessity and tenacity of engaging in war. The book is detailed from the perspective of an American enemy soldier (German soldier), yet, it is regarded as one of the books that addresses and provides an outline of the WWI efficiently. The Impacts of Trench Warfare in Reference to the Experience of Paul Baumer The book provides an overview of the men who fought in the World War 1. Despite the fact that the men survived, they returned mentally and physically destroyed…

Words 2324 - Pages 10

Essay WORLD WAR ONE

Weapons and Technology of World War 1, page 1 Weapons and Technology of World War One Taylour Hurd CHC 2D1-07 November 2 2013 Page 2 Imagine a war so great and powerful that new weapons and ideas were created in order to fight it. World War 1, being the most significant event in the 20th Century, was one of the greatest examples of Technological Weapons. These weapons that were…

Words 932 - Pages 4

Synonym 19th Century

Along with the Agricultural Revolution that took place 11,800 years earlier, the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century is regarded as possibly the most important event in the entirety of human history. The two events are marked by the changes they brought to the lives of humans. The Agricultural Revolution allowed people, who were previously hunter-gatherers, to settle down and farm, thus leading to the establishment of complex civilizations. The Industrial Revolution, on the other hand, transformed…

Words 922 - Pages 4

International Studies Essay

means national security Strengthening the country and providing protection for it Hard power Ultimate sense of protection is being rich and powerful Human security For idealists, security means human security Powerful military, lots of weaponry doesn’t necessarily make people feel secure What make people secure is having resources and options, so that they can pursue the things that they want Health care spending, educations spending, growing a healthy economy. UN…

Words 959 - Pages 4