Trench Warfare in World War I 

Trenches were dug in the ground to create protection for soldiers from opposing soldiers' artillery and fire of the machine gun during World War I. After differences between Germany, Austro-Hungarian empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the rest of the world gradually built up, the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, World War one began. To see who was involved, click here and for more background on the cause of World War I, click here. Trench warfare was also used in the US Civil War, the Russian-Japanese war, and others. During World War I, soldiers stayed in the trenches for protection, to attack and to counterattack. Trench warfare reached its height during this war. These trenches were located from the Belgian coast, stretching though northeastern France and Switzerland. Instead of being dug in straight lines, the trenches were dug in zigzags. This layout was to have minimal damage in case the opposing forces infiltrated the trenches. Each trench was dug deep enough in order for the soldier to stand, and new soldiers were advised not to look over the trench to avoid being shot. The trenches protected soldiers from bullets by having mud parapets and sandbags. Floors of the trenches had wooden planks called duckboards that helped when the trenches.