Why did Germany lose WW1? - W Flashcards
Explain why the USA Involvement lead Germany to lose WW1.
When the USA entered the war on April 6th, 1917, they brought lots of men and enough food and supplies which lasted longer than the Germans. They had a rate of 10,000 men coming in per day.
Explain why Germany’s lack of empire lead them to lose WW1.
Germany lacked the colonies of both Britain and France.
This meant it didn’t have the vast resources or colonial populations that either of those countries had.
Having these empires allowed both Britain and France to continue fighting for longer.
This was because they were able to use the colonial resources to restock the war effort.
They were able to use soldiers from their empires to help fight on the fronts in Europe.
How many times more colonies did Britain have in comparison to Germany in 1914?
5 times more.
What was the Schiefflen Plan?
Germany was surrounded by countries who had united againsts them in the Triple Entente - France to the East, Russia to the West.
Germany created the Schlieffen Plan to avoid fighting on their Eastern and Western fronts at the same time.
They planned to invade France by going through Blegium and circling back to fight Russia on the Eastern front.
Explain how the Schliefflen Plan lead Germany to lose WW1.
The Belgium army managed to slow the German advance, giving the French time to move their troops to the border with Belgium.
Germany had assumed that there would be minimal resistance from Belgium.
Russia mobilised their army in 10 days, causing Germany to have to move their army to the Eastern front. Germany had assumed that it would take Russia 6 weeks.
The UK declared war on Germany, honouring the Treaty of London (1839), that said Belgium should be neutral.
The UK was concerned about Germany gaining control of Belgium ports, giving them a base to invade from. Germany had assumed that the UK wouldn’t get involved and so weren’t ready for war.
Explain how the naval blockade lead to Germany losing WW1.
The British navy blocked the port and stopped ships getting food into Germany which led to food shortages.
3/4 of a million people died from starvation.
A flu epidemic killed many already weak from a poor diet.
Turnip Winter (1916-17), killing another 150,000 people.
Explain how protests lead to Germany losing WW1.
1915: 500 women demanded their soldiers to come back.
28th October 1918: Soldiers were ordered to make a suicide attack on British ships which lead this mutiny where the sailors refused to follow their orders.
How many times more colonies did Britain have in comparison to Germany in 1914?
5 times more.
