Introduction
Welcome to the trenches soldiers! Here you will see, hear and read things that will inform you about the lay out of the trenches, the personal experience of being on the front lines and the new technology that emerged during this part of the war.
Almost the entire western front of the war (in France) was fought in the trenches. This type of warfare highlighted the need to evolve with the technology created by the countries involved in WWI. This new technology radically changed the experience of war.
The opening scene of the classic, "All Quiet on the Western Front", posted below shows the horror of WWI.
[video:https://youtu.be/SXtsiqrhqsU align:center]
Task
Your task is to complete research and analysis over three themes of trench warfare to report back to the homefront. The themes you will be addressing are the following:
1. The layout (describe the interior of the trench, no man's land as well as equipment used to build trenches)
2. New Technology (describe new weapons/technology used by soldiers in the trenches, describe the possible phsyical and mental effects of the new technology, describe the tactics used by armies to gain ground)
3. Personal Experience (describe daily life in the trenches, explore mental affects of war on soldiers, explain the motivation for soldiers to join the army)
You will take what you have learned and write a one-page report in order to inform your commanding officers back home the status on the front lines.
Process
Begin by taking notes on the three themes based on the resources and guiding questions below.
Trench Lay Out-
1. Describe the physical layout of the trench.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/31340167@N06/3111295158
https://kidskonnect.com/history/ww1-trenches/
2. What were some of the dangers of no man's land? [video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAJOn7hfObU]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M2SYAgEIYlh2JC7EIBEgav1Q0dIaSrxp3rA…
New Technology
1. Describe some (1 or 2) of the new weapons used in WWI.
http://www.independent.ie/life/world-war-1/a-history-of-world-war-one-i…
2. Explain the importance of defensive technology in response to the new weapons
[video:https://youtu.be/oV5Wq0vMZnw align:center]
http://boulderhistory.org/gas-masks-world-war-i/
3. How did technology affect the strategy of trench warfare?
http://blogs.yis.ac.jp/16hewittj/2014/10/09/evaluate-the-effectiveness-…
Soldier's Experience
1. Describe the living conditions of the trenches
Private H. F. Leppard of East Grinstead wrote a letter to his mother on 19th December, 1914. The letter was not censored.
The soldiers at the front need more rest. While in the trenches the water is over our knees most of the time. The war is going to last some time yet, and might be another twelve months before it is over. The war has only just begun and its going to be a war of exhaustion. After the regular armies have done their work it means that all the young lads at home being trained and disciplined and will take our place in the field. The sooner people understand this, the better, it will be for the nation.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/the-western-front-in…
2. What mental affects came from living in the trenches?
http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-the-front/trench-…
Evaluation
Rubric
Below is the grading scale for the WebQuest
1. Notes- 10 points
2. Report Home-50 points
- Introduction paragraph to commanding officer- 5 points
- Paragraph over Trench Layout-15 points
- Paragraph over New Technology- 15 points
- Paragraph over Soldier's experience- 15 points
You can Dropbox this report on School Loop under the assignment name: Trench Warfare WebQuest
Conclusion
Congratulations soldier! You successfully transmitted the information about the trenches back to your commanding officer. Life in the trenches was hard and brutal, but your information could help people back home have a more complete understanding of what happens during war.