Trench Warfare in World War I - France Since 1871 - Lecture 14

Explore the intricacies of trench warfare and its impact on World War I in this 45-minute lecture from Yale University's "France Since 1871" course. Delve into the Schlieffen Plan and Germany's initial strategy for a swift victory, followed by the pivotal Battle of the Marne that saved France. Examine the transition from mobile warfare to the grueling attrition of trench combat, and understand how new weapons and technologies transformed the nature of battle. Investigate the societal effects of war on citizen-soldiers and the home front, including the sacred union of French political parties. Gain insights into the harsh realities of life in the trenches and the devastating impact of machine warfare. This comprehensive lecture provides a thorough examination of a crucial period in French and European history.