Question

Which TWO of the following caused a stalemate to develop along the western front in World War I?

The use of machine guns resulted in massive casualties.
Armored tanks crossed fortified lines.
Soldiers dug trenches.
Submarines attacked unarmed ships.
Airplanes conducted reconnaissance missions.

Answer 1

• Soldiers Dug Trenches
• The use of machine guns resulted in massive casualties.

Explanation: The use of trenches and machine guns created a stalemate on the western front because neither side could attack the enemy without thousands of casualties and almost no ground gained, which led to each side outright not attacking or if they did attack, almost nothing was gained. One great example of this was the Battle Of The Somme where British and French forces anticipated limited resistance from defending German forces, but when the barrage lifted German machine gunners emerged from their intact shelters and mowed down the oncoming British infantry in their thousands. The first day resulted in 57,000 British casualties making it the bloodiest battle in British history.