The Western Front in WW1
I can explain that war on the Western Front was fought largely in trenches, and by men from across the British Empire.
The Western Front in WW1
I can explain that war on the Western Front was fought largely in trenches, and by men from across the British Empire.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Lord Kitchener quickly began to recruit more soldiers in Britain as he anticipated a long, drawn out war.
- The troops who volunteered to fight found themselves fighting a war of attrition from the trenches.
- The attempt to break the stalemate during the 1916 Battle of the Somme caused large loss of life for little gain.
- The British and French troops fought alongside the British Indian Army on the Western Front.
- Over 1.5 million Indian troops fought for Britain in the war.
Keywords
War of attrition - a war of attrition is a conflict in which each side tries to wear the other down by inflicting maximum casualties
Stalemate - a stalemate is a situation in which further progress by opposing sides seems impossible
Conscription - conscription is the process of forcing people to join the armed forces
Trenches - long, narrow ditches which soldiers dug to protect themselves during the war against enemy attacks
Western Front - a 400-mile long strip of land through France and Belgium were the largest battles of WW1 were fought
Common misconception
The British army went into the war confidently, with a large number of troops.
The British army had no more than 700 000 men in August 1914, they would need to use mass recruitment and colonial armies.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The Western Front in WW1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The Western Front in WW1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the World War One: how 'total' was it for people in the British Empire? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the process of forcing people to join the armed forces
a conflict in which each side tries to wear the other down
long narrow ditches which soldiers dug to protect themselves
when further progress by opposing sides seems impossible