Final answer:
German and American soldiers faced differing conditions during World War I, with Germans experiencing a longer duration of trench warfare and resource shortages, while Americans faced the shock of modern warfare upon their later entry into the war. Both groups, however, shared the grim realities of trench life and the psychological burdens of combat. The U.S. entry into the war, with its vast industrial capacity and fresh troops, was pivotal in breaking the stalemate on the Western Front.
Step-by-step explanation:
The experiences of German and American soldiers during World War I differed significantly due to various factors, but there were also notable similarities. For the Germans, World War I began in 1914, and they were engaged in intense, prolonged warfare long before the United States entered the conflict in 1917. The German soldiers dealt with the hardships of trench warfare, depleting resources, and the psychological and physical toll of a war that seemed unending. The American soldiers, on the other hand, were fresh to the battlefields of Europe and relatively inexperienced in this modern, mechanized warfare, which left them horrified at the carnage they encountered.
Despite these differences, both German and American soldiers shared the experience of being exposed to the brutal conditions of trench warfare, facing the fear of 'going over the top,' and the high risk of becoming casualties. They both adhered to the discipline and orders from their command structures and felt the impact of technological advancements that had made warfare far more lethal than in the past. The experience of warfare left both German and American troops with significant physical and psychological scars that affected them long after the war's end.
One notable difference in strategy was the German attempt at a breakthrough during the Spring Offensive, driven by desperation due to resource shortages and the need to end the war before American troops could tip the balance. Conversely, the entrance of the U.S. brought millions of fresh troops and the staggering industrial capacity of the United States to bear, which ultimately proved decisive in breaking the stalemate and led to the Allies' victory.