13.5: Factors leading to the defeat of Germany and the other Central Powers, and to the victory of the Entente Powers: strategic errors; economic factors; entry and role of the US; domestic instability in the Central Powers

Question 1

From the very beginning, however, things went wrong for the Central Powers.
1st setback:

3p

Answer 1

1. The first political setback was Great Britain’s entry into war on the side of the Allies on 4 August.
2. Although it was known that Britain would not accept the Germans’ violation of Belgian neutrality in the case of war, the German rulers did not believe that the British would fight against them.
3. Britain’s intervention into the war on the Allied side seriously obstructed the German plans.

Question 2

2 major (‘immediate’) implications of GB intervention;

Answer 2

1. GB Expeditionary Force quick deployment + aided Fr resist Ger
2. AUG of 1914; GB naval blockade of the German ports.
   -2 stages

Question 3

1. GB Expeditionary Force quick deployment + aided Fr resist Ger

Answer 3

1. GB Expeditionary Force quick deployment + aided Fr resist Ger
   -Allies stopped Ger in the Battle of Marne, SEP -> forced Ger retreat
   -“race to the sea” began; both sides trying to outflank each other
   -trench war, attrition; short war did not happen

Question 4

2. AUG of 1914; GB naval blockade of the German ports.

Answer 4

2. AUG of 1914; GB government announced a naval blockade of the German ports.
   -the 1st stage of blockade: restricted to search and confiscations of the “absolute contraband” (arms and munitions)-beginning of 1915: Allies decided to stop all shipments to and from the ports of the Central Powers; including “conditional contraband” (food, forage, fuel, clothing) and even goods from the so-called “free list” (raw materials such as ores, cotton and fertilizers).-The broad range of measures was introduced to minimize German supply through the neutral countries (Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Switzerland).

Question 5

Ultimately, the First World War was determined by economic resources.
+Niall Ferguson

Answer 5

Niall Ferguson has pointed out, Germany did not necessarily mismanage all of its resources and thus lose the war

Question 6

the Allies had a massive advantage in terms of:

Answer 6

1. total GDP
2. population
3. military personnel
4. armaments production
5. and food supply

throughout the conflict; a situation that became even more pronounced when the United States finally entered the war on their side

Question 7

number of people under Allies vs Central in NOV 1914

Answer 7

NOV 1914: Allies had 793 million people under their control compared to 151 million for the Central Powers.

Question 8

number of people under Allies vs Central at the end of war

Answer 8

the Allies had a total population of 1.272 million (70 percent of world total)

whereas the Central Powers’ total was still under 200 million

Question 9

mobilisation and command

Answer 9

The ability to mobilize effectively for prolonged conflict and being able to command substantial resources were the key factors in winning the war.

Thus, the Allies had the edge that ultimately gave them the victory