Factors Leading to the Defeat of Germany and the Central Powers (1918)
- Germany and its allies (Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) were defeated in 1918.
- Their defeat wasn't caused by one single event.
- It was the result of multiple factors working together
Germany’s Mistakes
- The Schlieffen Plan failed in 1914.
- Germany got stuck in trench warfare on two fronts.
- Unrestricted submarine warfare (1917) aimed to starve Britain but backfired by bringing the USA into the war.
Central Powers’ Weaknesses
- Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire were militarily weak and constantly needed German support.
- Fighting on too many fronts drained manpower and resources.
Economic Factors
- Britain’s Naval Blockade
- From 1914 onwards, the British navy blocked German ports, stopping food, fuel, and raw materials.
- This caused severe shortages and malnutrition.
- German Economy Overstretched
- Germany’s war economy was not strong enough for a long war.
- Factories lacked raw materials.
- Inflation rose.
- Workers went on strike.
- Allied Economic Superiority
- The Allies had access to global trade and resources from colonies.
- US economic support (even before entering the war) gave the Allies a huge advantage in supplies, food, and money.
Case study
Germany’s Spring Offensive (March–July 1918)
- In early 1918, Germany saw a small window of opportunity:
- Russia had dropped out of the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, March 1918).
- The US had declared war but hadn’t yet sent large numbers of troops.
- Germany launched a massive surprise attack on the Western Front to break through Allied lines before American forces arrived.
- Initial progress was fast, German troops advanced 65 km in a few days. Morale rose.
- But the advance stretched supply lines, exhausted troops, and failed to capture Paris.
- Germany suffered huge casualties and couldn’t replace the lost soldiers.
- By August 1918, the Allies counterattacked in the Hundred Days Offensive, pushing Germany back.
- Germany gambled everything on a quick win, but their gains were temporary. They could not keep up supplies or reinforce troops, so by summer the Allies began a counter-attack that Germany could not stop.
- German soldiers began surrendering and deserting in large numbers. On the home front, people were starving and protesting, leading to revolution by November 1918.
Self review
- Assess the importance of Germany’s military mistakes in explaining the defeat of the Central Powers in 1918.
- To what extent did economic factors contribute to the defeat of Germany and its allies in the First World War?
- Examine the relative weaknesses of the Central Powers compared to the strengths of the Allies in bringing about Germany’s defeat in 1918.
