After the First World War, military leaders focused on how they could avoid the fearsome deadlock of trench warfare. They wanted quick, powerful weapons that could either overwhelm the enemy before they could settle into their trenches or roll over any defenses a trench might have. German commanders found the answer to both of these needs in the tank.

The army of Nazi Germany was dependent on its tanks, which came in different sizes, strengths, and speeds. They were much more reliable than the tanks of World War I. Instead of using vehicles to support troops, the Nazis used troops to support vehicles. The initially successful tactic of Blitzkrieg involved creating chaos with bombs from the air and then blasting through enemy lines with tanks, motorcycles, and other fast-moving vehicles. Before the enemy could respond, the vehicles would drive off and attack from another direction. It was an extremely effective strategy: Hitler's forces conquered almost all of northern Europe within the first two years of the war.

During the Second World War, it became clear that soldiers were no longer the primary strength of a country's military in Europe. Vehicles, equipment, and technology could turn the tide against a numerically superior enemy. War was becoming less "human" and more mechanical.

Review the development and growth of tanks using this Drag and Drop activity.