Industrialisation and technology

• Advantages in industry in WW1?

  It was balanced to begin with. German steel production went from 3.16 million tons in 1890 to 13.5 million by 1910 and they began their development of the chemical industry. Allies had mass production of machine guns, large artillery weapons and millions of shells. As the war progressed the Allies got more advantages.
• Advantages in technology in WW1?

  Machine guns and large artillery weapons. Britain and France developed 5000 tanks by end when Germany only had 17-20, but it was mostly balanced as to who had the advantage despite this. Germans had some advantage with gas at first.
• Impact on nature of warfare in WW1?

  • It ensured WW1 was the first truly modern war. Industrialisation ensured a destructive war.
  • The advantage was with the defender which changed the nature of the battlefield (trench warfare) because of the machine guns and artillery. The defender could now hold territory with machine guns.
  • Large armies were supplied with weapons.
  • Bombardment of enemy troops took place miles behind the frontline- large artillery and shells.
  • Impacted tactics- bombardments could only happen due to industry which allowed for a war of attrition
• Impact on outcome of WW1?

  • Machine guns- massive casualties
  • Industry production made war longer and costly
  • Technology had little impact
  • Industry had impact- allowed us to sustain fight longer
  • German wanted peace as couldn't meet industrial demands