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

strategic errors

overestimation and misjudgements

• The Schlieffen Plan, Germany’s primary military strategy, was predicated on a swift victory over France. This plan underestimated the time it would take Russia to mobilise its forces, leading to a two-front war that Germany was not prepared for.

• The violation of Belgian neutrality, a crucial part of the Schlieffen Plan, brought Britain into the war, a scenario that Germany had not anticipated. This significantly increased the number of adversaries Germany had to face.

stalemate and resource allocation

• The war quickly turned into a prolonged conflict, with trench warfare on the Western Front. This stalemate drained German resources and manpower at an unsustainable rate.

• Germany’s commitment to supporting its allies on multiple fronts, including the Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungary, further stretched its military resources thin.

economic factors

british naval blockade

• The British blockade effectively cut off Germany from overseas resources, leading to shortages of food, raw materials, and munitions. This blockade was a key factor in crippling the German war economy.

• The economic isolation caused by the blockade led to severe hardship among the civilian population, contributing to declining morale and resistance to the war effort

resource depletion and industrial strain

• The demands of prolonged warfare led to a critical depletion of key resources. Germany, being heavily reliant on imports for many raw materials, found its industrial output significantly hampered.

• The war’s extension beyond initial expectations placed immense strain on Germany’s economy, which had to balance the needs of the war with those of the civilian population.

entry and role of the united states

impact of us entry

• The United States’ entry into the war in April 1917 provided a significant morale boost to the Allies. It also meant a substantial influx of fresh troops, supplies, and financial resources, offsetting the advantage Germany had held earlier in the war.

• The American Expeditionary Forces, though initially inexperienced, rapidly became a formidable presence on the Western Front

diplomatic psychological impact

• The Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the United States, played a significant role in the U.S. decision to enter the war. The public revelation of this telegram caused outrage and helped shift American public opinion in favour of war.

• The ideological support of the United States for the Allies, framed in President Woodrow Wilson’s principle of self-determination, provided a moral counterpoint to the imperial ambitions of the Central Powers.

domestic instability in the central powers

political turmoil and social unrest

• The prolonged war led to increasing social unrest in Germany and Austria-Hungary. Food shortages, inflation, and casualty reports created a climate of discontent.

• Influenced by the Russian Revolution, there were growing calls for peace and democratic reforms within the Central Powers, undermining the war effort and the authority of the ruling classes.

decline of imperial authority

• The erosion of imperial authority in Germany and Austria-Hungary was accelerated by military failures and domestic pressures. This weakening of central power led to increased calls for peace and political reform.

• Kaiser Wilhelm II’s abdication on November 9, 1918, was a clear indicator of the collapse of the imperial system in Germany. This political upheaval signalled an end to the war efforts and paved the way for the armistice.