Conditions inside the trenches of World War 1
Trench Warfare began during World War 1 when the Allied Forces tried to push back the Germans. In order to stop the Allied forces from advancing, the Germans made a series of trenches to protect themselves. Soon the trenches developed into a popular type of warfare that Germany, Britain, France, Russia, and the USA would all use. However, several complications were uncovered. For example, when it rained, the rain stayed in the trenches causing it to flood. One man remembered walking 30 yards in water that was chest deep. Mold grew as a result and the trenches took on a musty smell, in addition to the smell that they already had acquired.
Another problem was that the trenches were very unsanitary. When a soldier died they left his body on the bottom of the trench and people would have to walk on top of the dead, and rotting bodies. The trenches also had a major rat problem. Men and rats had to compete for food scraps. The rats became abnormally big and bold. At night you could hear the rats running around. Lice was another problem. The men hardly ever bathed or showered because they didn't have any time. That led to a lice infestation. The lice seemed to jump from person to person. They helped to spread Trench fever which caused even bigger problems. Trench fever caused people to run high fevers and some found it hard to participate in the war.
In conclusion, the trenches caused several people to die. Sickness inside of the trenches spread quickly. Trench fever and trench foot were problems inside the trenches. Lice and rats were a huge concern for the men. The rats stole the men's food and the lice spread sickness to the men. Living in the trenches were not beneficial to anyone. The only thing that the trenches provided was protection from losing vital land. The conditions were terrible, yet they continued using trench warfare for most of the war...
Cites
History 1900s
http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwari/a/Trenches-In-World-War-I.htm
First World War
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/trenchlife.htm
History learning
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/life_trenches.htm
Science Museum
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/people/trenches.aspx
Answers
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_was_trench_warfare_intended_to_accomplish
Another problem was that the trenches were very unsanitary. When a soldier died they left his body on the bottom of the trench and people would have to walk on top of the dead, and rotting bodies. The trenches also had a major rat problem. Men and rats had to compete for food scraps. The rats became abnormally big and bold. At night you could hear the rats running around. Lice was another problem. The men hardly ever bathed or showered because they didn't have any time. That led to a lice infestation. The lice seemed to jump from person to person. They helped to spread Trench fever which caused even bigger problems. Trench fever caused people to run high fevers and some found it hard to participate in the war.
In conclusion, the trenches caused several people to die. Sickness inside of the trenches spread quickly. Trench fever and trench foot were problems inside the trenches. Lice and rats were a huge concern for the men. The rats stole the men's food and the lice spread sickness to the men. Living in the trenches were not beneficial to anyone. The only thing that the trenches provided was protection from losing vital land. The conditions were terrible, yet they continued using trench warfare for most of the war...
Cites
History 1900s
http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwari/a/Trenches-In-World-War-I.htm
First World War
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/trenchlife.htm
History learning
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/life_trenches.htm
Science Museum
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/people/trenches.aspx
Answers
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_was_trench_warfare_intended_to_accomplish