General Ludendorff

Who was General von Ludendorff?

General von Ludendorff was considered one of Germany's greatest generals of the First World War. He was seen as a hero for his efforts on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. He became involved with the Nazi Party's failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch in 1923.

When was General Ludendorff important?

General von Ludendorff was important between the years 1914 and 1923.

What was the role of General Ludendorff in the First World War?

General Ludendorff had 4 key roles during the war:

• ❖ General Ludendorff was the second in command to Field Marshal Hindenburg. Together they commanded the German armies on the Eastern Front from 1914 to 1916.
• ❖ General Ludendorff helped to defeat the Russians at Tannenberg in 1914.
• ❖ From August 1916 until October 1918, General Ludendorff became the most powerful man in Germany, leading a military dictatorship for the Kaiser.
• ❖ General Ludendorff commanded the final German offensive of the war in 1918.

What was the significance of General Ludendorff during the First World War?

General Ludendorff was significant in the First World War for 4 key reasons:

• ❖ His victory at Tannenberg saved Germany from defeat.
• ❖ He refused to accept offers of peace negotiations from the United States and prolonged the war as much as possible.
• ❖ He supported unrestricted submarine warfare even though he was warned it could force America to declare war on Germany.
• ❖ He created the 'stab-in-the-back' myth to cover for his own failings and place the blame on democratic politicians who led the German Republic after the war.

Why was General von Ludendorff important to the Weimar Republic?

General von Ludendorff was important during the Weimar Republic for 5 main reasons:

• ❖ He led the massive German offensive against the Allies in March 1918 called the 'Ludendorff Offensive' which failed.
• ❖ He created the stab-in-the-back myth to cover for his own failings during the war and place the blame on democratic politicians who led the Weimar Republic after the war.
• ❖ He supported Dr Wolfgang Kapp in the Kapp Putsch in March 1920.
• ❖ He took part in the Nazi Party's failed Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923.
• ❖ He was put on trial because of his role in the Munich Beer Hall Putsch but was found not guilty.