Introduction
Technology did have a significant impact during World War I and is proven by the weaponry (the arms race), aviation, and medical technology used during this event. These three points were all very important during the first war and it would be false to say that it had no impact.
BP1 – Weapons and the arms race
Weaponry had a significant impact on World War I, in particular, the arms race. The arms race is a competition that takes place when two or more nations grow the quality and size of their army resources to reach military and political superiority over each other. This competition clearly shows that technology had a significant impact on World War I because it played a large role in the cause of the war and some country's economy was affected heavily. Between 1871 and 1914, there was a massive increase in spending, Germany had an increase of 340% and Russia with a 260% increase. Because of Germany’s large spending on their army, by 1914, they had the most powerful army in the world. This is shown through a quote from a strategist, Herman Kahn, who stated that “World War I broke out largely because of an arms race”. This clearly proves that World War I primarily began due to the clash of nations wanting the best army. Some of the main weapons used in World War I were rifles, artillery, machine guns, and bayonets. Artillery arguably had the greatest impact during World War I, more than any other weaponry. Artillery causes huge damage to the enemies, equipment, and landscape. During World War I, there were more than one billion artillery shells fired and no other weapon killed more soldiers than this weaponry. These statistics clearly prove that technology did have a significant impact on World War I because weaponry was heavily used during this time.
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BP2 – Aviation
Another reason technology had a significant impact on World War I is because of the use of planes. Aviation was first used as surveillance and was a way for soldiers to explore the battlefield and determine the enemy’s next movements. As the war advanced and progressed, aircraft started to be used as a way to bomb enemy land. At first, planes could only carry small bombs that were not very effective, but by the end of the first world war, planes were then built to hold heavier, bigger, and more effective bombs. Whilst more planes were now getting into the sky, enemies would now fight in the sky. First, they would be throwing grenades at each other but they quickly realized that it was not working very well so they soon discovered that the best way to shoot an enemy plane down was with mounted machine guns. Fights in the air later became a common occurrence and were called dogfights. A battle during the first world war where planes had a significant impact was the battle of the Somme in July 1916. By this time the Royal Flying Corps (the air arm of the British army) had grown to over 400 aircraft and 27 squadrons. Overall, aviation was very important during World War I and confirms that technology did have a significant impact. A professional airplane pilot named William Langewiesche said “The mastery of the turn is the story of how aviation became practical as a means of transportation”. This quote shows the impact aviation had on the future of transportation. Overall, aviation confirms that technology did have a significant impact on World War I.
BP3 – Medical Technology
Medical technology also had a significant impact on World War I. The injury was obviously the most common occurrence during the war, so treatment was very crucial. During World War I, an estimated 19 million troopers from all armies had been wounded. Men did not only suffer from injuries, but they would also catch diseases that were mostly caused by the horrible living conditions in the trenches, poor hygiene, and food shortage. Common diseases consist of trench foot, trench fever, typhoid, and influenza. Many officers and men carried medication such as painkillers and took them as treatment and carried on fighting. Men who were seriously injured or ill were cared for more, being taken by an ambulance to an area with a set of tents or huts where operations like surgeries would exist. The wounded soldiers then get taken to hospitals where they could get care from nurses. Around 500,000 amputations were performed during World War I. This war played an important role in the future of women working in the military. It demonstrated that women were capable of nursing and supporting the men fighting. It allowed both the Navy and Army for women to become more involved than they ever have. 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, said that “nurses, mostly women, historically, have been a force of will and a sense of common decency and paved the way towards better care and a more compassionate society”. This quote justifies that without the help of nurses in the past, life today wouldn’t be the same. Ultimately, technology had a significant impact on World War I and that is proven through how important medical technology was.
Conclusion
Conclusively, technology had a significant impact on World War I. The three main uses of technology during the First War were weapons, aviation, and medical technology. Essentially, technology had a significant impact because it saved many lives with when attacking and defending (use of weapons and aviation) and the medication and treatment helped soldiers recover.
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