Why were trenches built in the WW1?

Answer 1

Battlefield movement was restricted because of the introduction of the machine gun.

Improvements in the accuracy of firearms greatly increased casualties and rendered the Napoleonic tactics of massed ranks of troops firing at each other in the open field obsolete. Defencive positions began to be used to protect infantry and reduce casualties.

The trench was effective cover and could be created by the men when there were no materials with which to build other defences.

The effectiveness of the trench was discovered during the British army's war against the Maori in New Zealand in the 1860's. The Maori built extremely complex trench systems which nullified the British advantage in numbers and weaponry. at the same time the accuracy of the minie ball and rifled musket introduced into the American Civil War by the North spelt the end of Napoleonic tactics especially after the battle of Gettysburg.

The trench became obsolete during World War I with the introduction of the tank.

Answer 2

Trenches were built in World War 1 as a way to not lose any ground in a battle. It was also a protective barrier from gunfire.

Answer 3

Used for protection in war to sleep and they used the bathroom in there. They were filthy filled with a whole bunch of rats and deseases.

Answer 4

the trenches were built in ww1 to protect soldiers from enemy mortars and shells