Wonder Weapons Wonder Weapons of the First World of the First World

WarWarObjective: Assess the impact Objective: Assess the impact of the ‘wonder weapons’ on of the ‘wonder weapons’ on

breaking the stalemate.breaking the stalemate.

Background: The Schlieffen Plan Background: The Schlieffen Plan Stalls & StalemateStalls & Stalemate

Germany was not able to sweep through Germany was not able to sweep through the west and fight on the east as quickly the west and fight on the east as quickly as they planned – they were defeated in as they planned – they were defeated in the Battle of the Marne on the Western the Battle of the Marne on the Western Front (border of France and Germany Front (border of France and Germany where most of the fighting took place).where most of the fighting took place).

Germany was forced to split their troops Germany was forced to split their troops and fight on two fronts.and fight on two fronts.

This led to a stalemate where neither side This led to a stalemate where neither side was winning.was winning.

You have designed a weapon to break this You have designed a weapon to break this stalemate and win the war for Britain. You stalemate and win the war for Britain. You have some money to invest, but you need have some money to invest, but you need more.more.

You are going to take your weapon to a group You are going to take your weapon to a group of investors…all of whom have a weapon of of investors…all of whom have a weapon of their own that they’d like people to invest in.their own that they’d like people to invest in.

You must come up with a 2 minute pitch to You must come up with a 2 minute pitch to sell your weapon. sell your weapon.

You must persuade your group of investors You must persuade your group of investors that your weapon is the best!that your weapon is the best!

Mini Shark TankMini Shark Tank

PresentationsPresentations Use the information sheet you have been given Use the information sheet you have been given

about your wonder weapon to make your about your wonder weapon to make your presentation.presentation.

Your group can and should question you about your Your group can and should question you about your weapon – so you need to know your facts! (you can’t weapon – so you need to know your facts! (you can’t lie!)lie!)

Be clear on the Be clear on the best pointsbest points about your wonder about your wonder weapon – why is it the best? How is your weapon weapon – why is it the best? How is your weapon going to break the stalemate and give Britain the going to break the stalemate and give Britain the upper hand? (Your weapon may not be usable on upper hand? (Your weapon may not be usable on land…but how might it still help turn the tide of the land…but how might it still help turn the tide of the war?)war?)

Try to think of Try to think of questionsquestions for the other groups – what for the other groups – what could be could be wrongwrong with their weapon? Why is it worse with their weapon? Why is it worse than yours?than yours?

Gas

Tank

Flame-Thrower

Airplane

Submarine

Zeppelin

Make your choice!Make your choice! You must decide You must decide

which wonder which wonder weapon will do weapon will do the most to break the most to break the stalemate .the stalemate .

Which weapon Which weapon will you invest will you invest in???in???

Weapon Good Points Bad Points

Gas

Tank

Flame Thrower

Submarine

Airplane

Zeppelin