New Weapons and Technology of WWI — Reading Comprehension

World War I, fought from 1914 to 1918, introduced new technology and weapons that changed the nature of warfare. Before this conflict, battles were often fought face-to-face or with older firearms. However, the scale and demands of WWI pushed nations to invent new tools for combat, leading to devastating effects on soldiers and civilians.

One of the most significant innovations was the machine gun. Unlike earlier rifles, machine guns could fire hundreds of bullets per minute. This made crossing open ground extremely dangerous and led to the creation of trench warfare. Both Allied and Central Powers dug deep trenches for protection. Primary sources, such as letters from British soldiers at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, describe the constant threat of machine-gun fire. The need for defense led to vast networks of trenches that stretched across the Western Front from Belgium to France.

Another deadly advance was the use of poison gas. First used by German forces at Ypres in 1915, chemicals like chlorine and mustard gas caused severe injuries and panic. Soldiers reported in diaries how gas attacks forced them to wear uncomfortable gas masks and risked blindness or death. The Geneva Protocol of 1925 would later ban chemical weapons, showing how their impact was both immediate and long-lasting.

WWI also saw the first large-scale use of tanks. At the Battle of the Somme in 1916, British Mark I tanks rolled across muddy battlefields, crushing barbed wire and providing some protection from enemy fire. Though early tanks were slow and often broke down, they represented a major step forward in military strategy. Airplanes, too, became important for reconnaissance and combat. Fighter pilots, called "aces," became famous, and aerial photography helped armies plan attacks. These new machines, combined with submarines and improved artillery, made WWI a conflict of rapid technological change.

The introduction of new weapons and technology caused massive casualties and altered daily life for those involved. Commanders struggled to adapt old tactics to new realities, and soldiers faced constant danger. Over time, these innovations changed how wars were fought and influenced the development of international laws about warfare. Understanding the technology of WWI helps explain both the tragedy of the conflict and its lasting impact on modern military history.

This study of World War I’s weapons and technology connects to broader themes of how innovation and geography shape human societies and the outcomes of global events.

Interesting Fact: The first tanks used during the war were nicknamed "landships" and often broke down, but they terrified enemy troops who had never seen anything like them before.

When did World War I begin?

Who first used poison gas in WWI?

Where were trenches mainly built?

Why were tanks important in WWI?

How did machine guns affect battles?

What did gas masks protect soldiers from?

Tanks often broke down in battle.

What does 'strategy' mean?