Why was Germany defeated? Flashcards
1
Q
The USA entering the war
A
- Morale boost for allied soldiers
- 2 million soldiers arrived to support
- Brought lots of food, ammunition, supplies
- Arrived just as Russia was leaving
- Forced the Germans to put everything into the Spring Offensive
2
Q
The impact of the Bolshevik revolution
A
- Started as a benefit, as the British and French lost a key ally, and Germany could now use this to launch the Spring Offensive
- However, the Spring Offensive failed
- German people began to agree with the revolution in Russia, and wanted to replace the Kaiser
- This led to riots and chaos that forced the Kaiser to abdicate
3
Q
The development of the tank
A
- Germans made 20 whilst Britain and France produced thousands
- Helped to win battles at Cambrai and Amiens, marking the beginning of the Hundred Days
4
Q
The war at sea/naval blockade
A
- Germany could only import half the goods that it once did by 1915
- Severely damaged war effort
- Living standards of Germans decreased
- Lack of fertilisers led to food shortages
- 420,000 died of starvation by 1918
- German morale heavily declined as a result
5
Q
The German workers’ revolution
A
- After news of the Spring Offensive’s failure reached Berlin, morale was at an all-time low
- Combined with food shortages + flu epidemic, it led to a revolution in Germany
- Sailors mutinied, workers took over towns and set up councils
- Country was in chaos
- Kaiser abdicated on the 9th November and war ended two days later
6
Q
The defeat of Germany’s allies
A
- During September and October 1918, Germany’s allies collapsed
- Bulgarian army surrendered to French and Serbian forces
- Turkish army surrendered to British and Arab forces
- AH pulled out of the war after being defeated by the Italians
7
Q
The failure of Ludendorff’s Spring Offensive
A
- A sign that defeat was inevitable
- 800,000 troops lost
- Germany was running out of available troops already
- Provided an opportunity for the British and French to retaliate
8
Q
The role of British leaders - Foch and Haig
A
- Some argue they were reckless and stubborn
- Other says that their judgement helped to win the war
