World War I

Technology

See also: Technology during World War I

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The First World War was different from prior military conflicts: it was a meeting of 20th century technology with 19th century mentality and tactics. This time, millions of soldiers, both volunteers and conscripts fought on all sides with Kitchener's Army being a notable volunteer force.

Related Topics:
20th century - Technology - 19th century - Tactics - Kitchener's Army

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Much of the war's combat involved trench warfare, where hundreds often died for each metre of land gained. Many of the deadliest battles in history occurred during the First World War. Such battles include Ypres, Vimy Ridge, Marne, Cambrai, Somme, Verdun, and Gallipoli. Artillery was responsible for the largest number of casualties during the First World War.

Related Topics:
Trench warfare - Ypres - Vimy Ridge - Marne - Cambrai - Somme - Verdun - Gallipoli - Artillery

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The First World War also saw the use of chemical warfare and aerial bombardment, both of which had been outlawed under the 1907 Hague Convention.

Related Topics:
Chemical warfare - 1907 - Hague Convention

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Chemical warfare was a major distinguishing factor of the war. Gases used ranged from tear gas to disabling chemicals such as mustard gas and killing agents like phosgene. Only a small proportion of casualties were caused by gas, but it achieved harassment and psychological effects. Effective countermeasures to gas were found in gas masks and hence in the later stages of the war, as the use of gas increased, in many cases its effectiveness was diminished.

Related Topics:
Chemical warfare - A major distinguishing factor of the war - Tear gas - Chemicals - Mustard gas - Phosgene - Countermeasure - Gas mask

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Fixed-wing aircraft were first used militarily during the First World War. Initial uses consisted principally of reconnaissance, though this developed into ground-attack and fighter duties as well. Strategic bombing aircraft were created principally by the Germans and British, though the former used Zeppelins to this end as well.

Related Topics:
Fixed-wing aircraft - First used militarily during the First World War - Reconnaissance - Ground-attack - Fighter - Strategic bombing - Zeppelin

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U-boats, or submarines were first used in combat shortly after the war began. Alternating between restricted and unrestricted submarine warfare during the First Battle of the Atlantic, they were employed by the Kaiserliche Marine in a strategy of weakening the British Empire by attacking its merchant shipping. In 1915, the RMS Lusitania liner was sunk with United States citizens aboard, affecting the United States' entry into the war.

Related Topics:
U-boat - Submarines - Unrestricted submarine warfare - First Battle of the Atlantic - Kaiserliche Marine - RMS Lusitania

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Tanks were developed and used for the first time during this war.

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