| What was the 'race to the sea,' and what was its outcome? | An attempt by opposing armies to outflank each other and control the coast. It ended in a stalemate once the coast was reached. |
| What did the German army do in early 1915 to strengthen their position? | They selected high ground to construct a strong defensive line with trenches, barbed wire, mined dugouts, deep bunkers, reinforced concrete emplacements, and strong points. |
| What type of conflict did World War I become by the end of 1914? | It became a defensive, trench-based conflict. |
| How did the failure of initial offensive plans contribute to the stalemate? | The failure of plans like the Schlieffen Plan and rapid offensives led to both sides digging in for a prolonged, defensive war. |
| What role did advances in military technology play in the shift to trench warfare? | New technologies, such as machine guns and artillery, made it difficult for armies to achieve breakthroughs, favoring defensive positions. |
| How did exhaustion and attrition influence the transition to trench warfare? | Prolonged fighting led to exhaustion, and neither side could sustain the rapid movement required for offensives. |
| Why were trench systems established during World War I? | Trench systems provided protection from the devastating firepower of modern weapons and created a defensive advantage. |
| What geographical constraints contributed to the stalemate? | The terrain of the Western Front, including rivers and dense urban areas, made it difficult for either side to maneuver effectively. |
| How did strategic balance and international involvement lead to a defensive war? | The relative equality of forces and the involvement of multiple nations ensured no side could gain a decisive advantage, leading to a stalemate. |
| Why did the Schlieffen Plan and Plan XVII fail? | The Schlieffen Plan was halted at the First Battle of the Marne, and Plan XVII failed to achieve its objectives in Alsace-Lorraine. |
| What was the impact of the failure of these plans? | The failure led to a stalemate, with both sides digging in and marking the beginning of trench warfare. |
| How did modern weaponry affect offensive operations during World War I? | The widespread use of machine guns, artillery, and barbed wire made it difficult for infantry to advance, causing heavy casualties and making defensive positions easier to hold than to attack. |
| What was the impact of the effectiveness of defensive weapons on military strategy? | The deadly effectiveness of defensive weapons led to massive losses during offensive operations, discouraging large-scale attacks and contributing to entrenched defensive positions. |
| Why did both sides shift to a focus on defence during World War I? | Initial campaigns exhausted both sides, leading to a focus on defence to consolidate gains and protect resources. |
| What were the effects of the intense fighting on both the Allies and Central Powers? | Both sides suffered significant casualties and resource depletion, while the physical and psychological toll on soldiers reduced the likelihood of successful offensive operations. |
| What was the impact of the inability to achieve a decisive breakthrough? | With no decisive breakthrough and a desire to avoid further losses, both sides adopted a defensive posture as the most viable option. |
| Why did both sides dig extensive trench networks during World War I? | Both sides dug trenches to protect themselves from enemy fire. |
| What were trenches supported by to make them formidable defensive positions? | Trenches were supported by barbed wire, machine gun nests, and artillery. |
| What was the impact of the establishment of trenches on the war? | Once trenches were established, it became nearly impossible for either side to break through without massive casualties, leading to a stalemate and a war of attrition. |
| How did the geography of the Western Front favour defence? | The narrow strip of land between the North Sea and the Alps limited manoeuvrability and forced armies into frontal assaults. |
| What were some geographical features that made the Western Front easier to defend than attack? | Terrain features like rivers and forests made it more difficult to attack and easier to defend. |
| What was the impact of the geographical limitations on military strategy? | The lack of room for manoeuvre contributed to the development of static defensive lines, making it difficult to outflank the enemy. |
| Why did the initial balance of power between the Allies and Central Powers lead to a deadlock? | Neither side had a decisive advantage in terms of manpower, technology, or resources by the end of 1914, resulting in a stalemate. |
| What was the effect of the rough equality between the opposing forces? | The rough equality meant that neither side could easily overpower the other, reinforcing the stalemate. |
| What did both sides resort to as a result of the deadlock? | Both sides resorted to defensive strategies to maintain their positions while seeking opportunities for a breakthrough. |
