The Origin of Trench Warfare and it's Effects

Trench warfare evolved during WWI because the other systems of fighting were failures. The Germans had the Schlieffen plan, which was basically for Germany to defeat France quickly to get them out of the way, and then move on to Russia and Britain. The Entente Cordiale (which means “friendly understanding”) between Britain and France against the forces in Germany proved to be a huge threat for Germany. The Schlieffen plan was supposed to solve that problem. However, the German soldiers were taken by surprise by the Russian armies marching into Prussia and Britain’s advance into France. The plan was a failure. This defeat in Germany crushed the German’s hopes for a quick victory. Trench warfare resulted from these great powers fighting each other. Both sides of the war were grasping for any hope of victory.


Trench warfare was extremely hard on everyone. The trenches were disgusting, rats as big as cats roamed around feasting on human remains, and lice were a constant nuisance. Trench Fever was also an ailment that many soldiers suffered from. Away from the trenches it took soldiers up to 12 weeks to recover. So obviously, trenches were harsh on the soldiers. It also affected the civilians back in the homeland. They were forced to live in poverty in order to support the troops suffering in the trenches. Everyone suffered as a result.

Trench warfare didn't help anyone

Good summary! And you are definitely right about your last statement. Trench warfare wasn't good for anybody.