How did the use of machine guns change the nature of warfare during World War I? A. It drew the United States into the conflict. B. It gave a tactical advantage to defensive forces. C. It gave Germany an advantage over its enemies. D. It increased the effectiveness of offensive attacks.

History · College · Mon Jan 18 2021

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B. It gave a tactical advantage to defensive forces.

The use of machine guns during World War I significantly altered the nature of warfare by providing a considerable advantage to defensive forces. Machine guns were capable of firing rapidly and continuously, creating a substantial volume of fire that made it extremely challenging for attacking infantry to advance across open ground without suffering heavy casualties. This resulted in a shift towards static, defensive tactics as attackers faced formidable obstacles posed by machine gun nests and trenches, leading to a prolonged and often stalemated conflict along the Western Front.