Impact of the First World War on Germany

What happened with Germany and the First World War?

The First World War had a huge impact on Germany's society, politics and economy.

How did Germany enter the First World War?

The following 3 key events led to Germany entering the First World War.

• ❖ Germany declared war on Russia on the 1st August, 1914.
• ❖ After Germany invaded France via Belgium, Great Britain declared war on Germany on the 4th August.
• ❖ This was followed by the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) joining the war a few months later, in October, where it supported Germany.

How was Germany affected by the First World War?

Germany was affected in 3 key ways:

• ❖ Germany was economically damaged and the country's debt increased to 150 billion marks.
• ❖ They were affected socially with two million troops and approximately 763,000 civilians dead.
• ❖ They were affected politically with many groups attempting to seize power, the Kaiser's abdication and Germany becoming a republic.

How did the First World War affect people socially in Germany?

Germany was badly hit by the war because of the Allied Naval Blockade that stopped supplies getting into Germany during the war, and remained in place until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, leaving many starving and ill.

How many casualties did the First World War claim in Germany?

Germany was affected socially by the First World War in 5 key ways:

• ❖ They had a high casualty rate with approximately two million dead soldiers.
• ❖ Some 600,000 women were left as widows.
• ❖ The war also took its toll on civilians, with approximately 763,000 people dying from starvation.
• ❖ The gap between rich and poor had grown as a result of the war and increased social divisions.
• ❖ Over 1 and a half million soldiers returned home following the war, many struggling to adapt back to civilian life and accept defeat.

What happened to Germany's economy after the First World War?

There were 7 significant negative effects on the economy:

• ❖ By 1918, industrial production was reduced by a third from 1913 levels.
• ❖ Fuel was short as a result of the war and consequently 300,000 people died from hypothermia.
• ❖ The government's budget was stretched by paying pensions to the 600,000 widows and 2 million orphans left after the war.
• ❖ Germany's debt was 50 billion German marks in 1914. This rapidly increased to 150 billion by 1918.
• ❖ Germany was bankrupt as it had spent all its gold reserves on the war.
• ❖ Inflation increased as a result of the weak German mark so the prices of goods were increasing.
• ❖ Germany was forced to begin interim payments to the Allies immediately after armistice was signed.

What happened to Germany politically at the end of the First World War?

There were 5 important political effects:

• ❖ There was massive political unrest with uprisings and strikes, such as the naval mutiny in Kiel in October, 1918.
• ❖ The unrest spread to become the German Revolution began, with huge consequences for the government and constitution of Germany.
• ❖ A communist state was declared in Bavaria on 7th November, 1918.
• ❖ The kaiser lost control and abdicated.
• ❖ The new Weimar Republic was created, and by signing the Treaty of Versailles, was greatly resented by the German people.

What were the events of the revolution in Germany before the end of the First World War?

There were 10 main events that occurred during the German Revolution:

• ❖ The allies offered Germany an armistice to end the war. Part of their deal included that Germany become a democracy and the Kaiser should abdicate.
• ❖ The kaiser declined these terms, wishing to continue with the war.
• ❖ In response, the German Navy mutinied at the end of October 1918, refusing to follow the Kaiser's orders.
• ❖ Soon a domino effect occurred and by November 1918, there were demonstrations and strikes all across Germany and a communist state declared in Bavaria.
• ❖ On the advice of his government and the army, Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on 9th November, 1918 and fled to the Netherlands.
• ❖ Philipp Scheidemann, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), announced that Germany was a republic to prevent a communist government being declared on 9th November, 1918.
• ❖ Prince Max von Baden stepped down as the kaiser's chancellor. Friedrich Ebert, the leader of the SPD, took over as the chancellor of Germany.
• ❖ On 10th November, 1918, Ebert suspended the Reichstag (parliament) and formed the Council of People's Representatives to run the country until a new constitution was written.
• ❖ Germany signed a ceasefire or armistice with the Allies on 11th November, 1918 to end the fighting in the First World War.
• ❖ In January 1919, there were elections to the Constituent Assembly, or National Assembly, which would decide on the new constitution.

What were the consequences of the German Revolution before the end of the First World War?

There were 3 key results of the German revolution:

• ❖ The kaiser abdicated.
• ❖ Germany became a republic.
• ❖ This led to the end of the First World War.