20 points + brainliest only serious answers by december 1914, the first year of world war i, what was the situation in europe? most european troops were sent home. a stalemate had developed on the western front as both sides dug in and trench warfare followed. most of france was occupied by germany, while russian troops had advanced far into eastern germany. french and british troops had retreated to the english channel, and german troops had retreated to the rhine river.