why did trench warfare develop?, What was it meant to achieve?

Answer 1

Well, by 'digging in', the troops provided themselves with shelter and protection from the enemy's attack, particularly in areas of flat ground where natural protection didn't exist.

Answer 2

It was a response to the use of machine guns. Before machine guns, you had a chance in an open field, but not after. That's why trench warfare developed during Civil War, about the same time machine guns were being deployed.

Answer 3

Trench warfare developed to protect soldiers who used the trenches for protection.

Answer 4

This is probably overly simplistic but:

Trench warfare happeed because technology (the machine gun) had emerged and military tactics of the day had not. Much of the war was spent lining up and marching toward the enemy like wars had been fought for hundreds of years. After awhile everyone realized they couldn't attack that way. Meanwhile artillery was blowing everything up. You cant advance. You cant retreat and give up land. So you dig down and wait it out. Anyway the British introduction of the tank significantly helped break the stalemate and eventually the combined Brit, French and US forces pushed the Germans back and forced them to surrender. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

It developed in the American Civil war, the idea was to injure your enemies by shooting them in the shins. The North would dig the trenches and shoot at the legs of the South. Later the south would use bombs and hot air ballons to get around this, which lead to their victory.

Answer 6

As above also it's easier to fire a rifle standing up or kneeling rather than laying down.