Technology in World War I
World War I brought many changes to the world, most notably the advancements of technology in the art of warfare. New technological developments played a crucial role in World War I, as they altered the way soldiers had to fight. For example, machine guns and poisonous gas had the ability to kill more soldiers on the battlefield. Airplanes and submarines expanded the warzone into the air and the water, resulting in newer methods of combat. These inventions made fighting against an enemy easier and more efficient, but it also made it deadlier. The creation of the machine gun played a critical role in the weaponry used, during World War I and changed the way armies fought both offensively and defensively. Soldiers defending their position from an enemy’s charge could easily open fire and stop the oncoming assault; while soldiers on the offensive side could drive their enemy back and create an opening to attack. Machine guns were extremely useful, as they could fire hundreds of rounds a minute and kill many soldiers at once.
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The most popular use of submarines, during the war, was by the Germans and their submarines, which they called U-boats. U-boats were mainly used to sink enemy ships carrying supplies and weapons. One instance of this occurred when a German U-boat sunk a British cruise ship called the RMS Lusitania. The U-boat fired a torpedo at the ship without warning, and 1,198 people were killed, including 128 Americans. This event outraged American citizens and played a role in changing the public’s view on whether or not America should enter the war. Meanwhile, the Germans justified the attack on the RMS Lusitania by claiming that the cruise ship was carrying weapons in its cargo. Submarines were also used during naval blockades as extra enforcement, but enemies could also attempt to use their own submarines to navigate around the