Establishment of the Western Front

What was the Western Front?

The Western Front was a system of trenches and fortifications. It was where the Germans fought the French, British, and later, American troops, throughout the war.

Where was the Western Front?

The Western Front ran for over 400 miles from the Belgian coast to near the Swiss border.

Why did the Western Front develop?

The Western Front developed in 3 stages:

• ❖ After the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, German troops began to dig trenches to protect themselves and hold the territory they had already captured.
• ❖ From September 1914, both sides moved north trying to outflank (get behind) each other. Both sides dug trenches for protection. By November they had reached the coast and could go no further; this is known as the 'race to the sea'.
• ❖ From this point both sides began improving their trenches and strengthening their defences. This was the beginning of stalemate on the Western Front.