What were the causes of the stalemate in ww1?
With the exception of the dubious claim that the tank “broke” the stalemate, most of the above answers are correct. However, the German failure was in fact due mainly to strategic failure. Yes, even with the development of technologies such as the machine gun, and general improvement of defensive warfare (offensive warfare being stagnated to the level of the mid 19th century), the Germans still managed to punch through Belgium through much of Northern France. However, the German strategy, which depended on the Schlieffen plan crafted by Alfred Schlieffen, a former German general (I think, don’t quote me on his rank), detailed plans to encircle a French army which would likely be attacking Alsace-Lorraine, by attacking through Belgium. However, this plan failed because Helmut Von Moltke the younger, the current German Chief-of-Staff, removed many troops from the main army to aid the defensive forces against the Russians. The German attack was stopped by the staunch defense of Franco-Bri
