# of soldiers mobilized: approx. 65 million
# of soldiers killed: approx. 8 million
# of soldiers wounded: approx. 21 million
# of civilians killed: approx. 6.7 million
- more major military technological innovations occurred during WW I than in any previous war in history
Examples
reconnaissance and fighter aircraft
submarines
tanks
poison gas (i.e. chlorine)*
machine gun
electronic communications (i.e. field telephones and radios)
flame throwers
high explosive shells*Note: The Geneva Protocol of 1925 (international agreement) bans the use of poison gas in warfare
- trench warfare
- the area between the two sides' trenches was known as "No Man's Land"; littered with mines and barbed wire
- life in the trenches was extremely difficult with trench foot, rats, and disease
- with both sides entrenched, WW I became a war of attrition with both sides trying to gradually wear each other down to the point of surrender