The First World War (WWI) was a war that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and pitted France, Russia, Great Britain, and later the United States (the Allied Powers) against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (the Central Powers) (ABC-CLIO). During WWI, each Power developed advancements in technology and created new chemical weapons which both lead to an increase in casualties on both sides. The advances in technology, such as aerial warfare, and developments of new chemical weapons, like poison gas, lead to a greater number of casualties than any other war up until this time. In the end an Allied Power victory was secured, but at the cost of over 16 million lives and Europe left in ruins (ABC-CLIO).

During the First World War (WWI), the use of chemical weapons had a major impact on the increased casualties when compared to the wars before. According to an article titled "Biological and Chemical Warfare", chemical warfare is defined as the use of lethal or disabling chemical agents against an enemy force or people. Each side tried to gain a strategic advantage over the opposing Power by creating a deadlier chemical weapon, such as mustard, tear, and poison gases. In 1915, the French used the first chemical in the war against the Germans, which was tear gas and it was just an irritant. A couple months later the German used mustard gas, the deadliest gas in WWI. Mustard gas can affect the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Mustard gas affected the victims by blistering skin, sore eyes and vomiting, also causing internal bleeding. Sulfur mustard can last from 1 to 2 days in the environment under average weather conditions and from weeks to months under very cold conditions (“Facts About Sulfur Mustard"). Along with the creation of the chemicals, there was protection from gases produced. The first protection from chlorine attacks was to urinate on a cloth and hold it over their mouth and nose, thought from a Canadian chemist. Another major invention for WWI was the gas mask, which neutralized any gas that came into it but allow breathing of fresh air. Both Powers primarily using gas to their advantage, gas masks were a necessity in WWI. Horses and dogs were also equipped with gas masks, being beneficial in the war.

During the First World War, there were multiple technological advancements by each Power. Each Power knew that a crucial development in technology could lead to an advantage, and potential victory, in the war. A large part of the technological advancements was aimed at creating a better defense. These defenses made winning the war on the western front more difficult for both sides (“WWI: Technology and the Weapons of War”). Some of these defensive technologies include anti-aircraft guns, steel helmets, barbed wire, and tanks (Source). Anti-aircraft guns were first used by the French and Germans, and later the British. The British built anti-aircraft towers in July 1914 to protect their ports from the increased aerial assaults from the opposition. Another pivotal invention that was made popular once again during WWI was the steel helmet. In 1915, steel helmets were standard issue for both sides in order to help protect the heads of soldiers, with the Germans designing the best helmet known as a “Pickelhaube”. The Germans also reimagined another already commonly used technology - barbed wire. In July 1916, the Germans started to use stronger metals and thicker barbs in order to keep the Allied Powers from invading trenches. In order to counter the new barbed wire, the Allied Powers began to use tanks. These tanks were able to cross the barbed wire and trenches but were very slow and often had mechanical problems. They were also prone to artillery strikes due to their size and lack of speed.

During the First World War, there were multiple technological advancements by each Power. Each Power knew that a crucial development in technology could lead to an advantage, and potential victory, in the war. Each side developed new defensive mechanisms, aeronautics, and weaponry in order to fight on a global stage for the first time.

A large part of the technological advancements was aimed at creating a better defense. These defenses made winning the war on the western front more difficult for both sides (“WWI: Technology and the Weapons of War”). Some of these defensive technologies include anti-aircraft guns, steel helmets, barbed wire, and tanks (Jones, Nigel). Anti-aircraft guns were first used by the French and Germans, and later the British. The British built anti-aircraft towers in July 1914 to protect their ports from the increased aerial assaults from the opposition (Jones, Nigel). Another pivotal invention that was made popular once again during WWI was the steel helmet. In 1915, steel helmets were standard issue for both sides in order to help protect the heads of soldiers, with the Germans designing the best helmet known as a “Pickelhaube” (Jones, Nigel). The Germans also reimagined another already commonly used technology - barbed wire. In July 1916, the Germans started to use stronger metals and thicker barbs in order to keep the Allied Powers from invading trenches. In order to counter the new barbed wire, the Allied Powers, mainly Great Britain, began to create armored vehicles, known as tanks. These tanks were able to cross the barbed wire and trenches but were very slow and often had mechanical problems. They were also prone to artillery strikes due to their size and lack of speed.

The most synonymous weapon linked to the First World War is the machine gun. Developed by Hiram Maxim, the machine gun was capable of firing more rounds per second that any other gun on the battlefield. A true killing machine, he weapon’s full potential was demonstrated on the Somme battlefield in July 1916. During this battle the Germans used machine guns kill and wound almost 60,000 British soldiers in only one day (“WWI: Technology and the Weapons of War”).

Another pivotal invention of the war was the airplane. Initially, airplanes were only used as a method to spy on the opposing side. However, early airplanes were made of  weak materials, such as wood, and were extremely loud, causing them to be an easy target for enemies to shoot down. Because of the inability to be efficient spy gadgets, Germany began to arm planes with machine guns. The Allies then equipped their planes with them after seeing how effective it was. Eventually, planes would outfitted to carry bombs to launch in to enemy trenches and cities, making planes even more effective in the war.

The First World War was one of the most gruesome wars in history, with both Powers intent on trying to destroy the other. There is no exact number of deaths, but many estimate the number of casualties range from nine to fifteen million. The Allies lost around 6 million people, while the Central Powers lost about 4 million. Trench warfare added to the increased death toll of WWI, with people dying of diseases and infections. It was estimated around 2 million people died from living in an unhealthy trench environment. Included in the casualties were those that suffered from malnutrition due lack of food. Soldiers were sent to fight without ample amounts of rations and left to starve on the battlefield.



World War 1 was a huge historical event that lasted four years and involved the Central Powers and the Allies. Millions of civilians and military personnel died due to technological advancements, chemical warfare and malnutrition. Planes, mustard gas and fighting in the trenches were a few of the major contributions to killings of both sides in the war. After years of fighting between the Powers to get ahead, The Allies forced German to surrender by signing the Treaty of Versailles. Even today, the Powers are still on edge with each other and there is no saying when the next strategical step will happen.









Fogarty, Richard. "World War I." American History, ABC-CLIO, 2018, americanhistory2.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/263294. Accessed 20 Apr. 2018.



“Facts About Sulfur Mustard.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers

 for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Nov. 2015,

 Emergency.cdc.gov/agent/sulfurmustard/basics/facts.asp.



“WWI: Technology and the Weapons of War.” WWI: Technology and the Weapons of War |

 NCpedia, www.ncpedia.org/wwi-technology-and-weapons-war.



Jones, Nigel. “Weapons Invented in the Heat of the Conflict.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 4 Apr. 2014, www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/part-eight/10741888/world-war-one-weaponry.html.