The Development of Stalemate on the Western Front

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The Development of Stalemate on the Western Front Stalemate in war is when there is a deadlock and neither side can win. There are many reasons for the stalemate of World War 1. By the end of 1914 both Germany and France were digging trenches, using bared wire and sitting machine guns. The war became stagnant the war had changed from a war of movement to a war of stalemate. Both sides began to build trenches along what would become the western front. This was not what Count Von Schlieffen had planned to happen. So why did Stalemate develop on the western front. There are many reasons why Stalemate developed on the western front, one of the reasons was because the German troops were exhausted as the German army had to cover from 20 - 25 miles a day. So they were getting emotionally and physically drained. J.M Winter who wrote 'The Experience of World War 1' said 'Why did the plan fail? First the men of the German army had to cover 20-25 miles a day. Is it a surprise by early September many units were simply exhausted?' So when there was a chance to stop walking they took it. This exhaustion meant movement stopped and stagnation started. Another reason why Stalemate developed was because the Russian troops mobilised themselves so quickly so German troops were not focused on France, as they turned their attention on to what Russia was doing. This is what Barbara Tuchman said 'Russia's loyal launching of an unready offensive drew German troops away.' They were now fighting a war on two fronts. Another reason why Stalemate developed on the western front was because the British and Russian troops arrived at the battle of Marne. Germany invaded Belgium in August 1914. The battle of the Marne was between August and September; the Germans advanced across Belgium but were held up briefly by the British Expeditionary Force at Mons on 23 August. The British then retreated south to join the French. The Germans marched into France, but they were forced, because of the lack

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