Reasons for German defeat

georgia-ellen · 7 Nov 2009, 9:08 AM

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Hey, does anyone have any information about the reasons for German defeat?
I have to do a speech on it
Would be much appreciated
Thanks

kelllly · 7 Nov 2009, 10:21 AM

Hi georgia-ellen.

The reasons for Germany's defeat included:

Strains on the German home front: By 1916, the strains on the German home front were apparent, and included queuing, inflation, severe shortages and inequality of suffering. Combined with the increasing casualty rates, these strains caused resentment and created disillusionment and war-weariness. They led to major strikes, weakened war production and decreased morale.
Allied control of the Sea: The Allied control of the sea ensured a steady supply of troops, food and ammunition to the Western Front. The Allied blockade caused enormous hardship for the German economy. It placed severe limits on the economy's ability to supply its armies. It was also responsible for the strains on the home front.
Allied economic superiority: Even before the involvement of the USA, the Allies had a combined industrial manufacturing production greater than that of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
The weakness of Germany's Allies: The economic capacity of Germany's Allies was limited compared to the Allied war effort. Furthermore, Germany had to constantly reinforce the Austrians on the Eastern Front.
The role of the USA: The USA provided resources (both material and human) for the Allies. It also provided huge loans for the financing of the Allied war effort. Although the arrival of American troops had no immediate effect (as they had to be properly trained and equipped), they did serve as a major blow to German morale. The troops played a significant part in the Allied counteroffensive of August-November 1918.
Allied use of technology: British factories were delivering large quantities of tanks (of a better model), machine-guns, Lewis guns, trench mortars and shells. The tank played a decisive role in the Allied counterattacks on the Western Front in August 1918. It provided a weapon that broke the stalemate of trench warfare and allowed the war of movement to resume. However it can be argued that the war of attrition rather than the tank ended the stalemate. By the time the tank was reliable enough, the war had been lost by Germany.
Manpower of the Central Powers: Germany lacked the human resources to sustain a long war. There were not enough men and women working on the home front. By early 1916, food shortages were resulting in riots and strikes. Continuous heavy losses resulted in raw recruits fighting for Germany in 1918. By this stage 27 Allied states were fighting the four Central Powers.
The failure of the Schlieffen Plan: Germany's failure at the Marne and the subsequent 'Race to the Sea' meant that Germany had to fight a two-front war. Consequently, its resources were stretched throughout the war.
The exhaustion of the German army: The morale of the German army was crumbling towards the end of the war because the initial successes of the Spring Offensive were waning. Disciplinary problems also existed, desertion rates rose and the army was suffering from a vicious influenza epidemic.
Improved Allied Generalship: By 1918, many of the poor-performing generals had been removed and replaced by junior officers who gained their experience in the field. Under the united command of the French General Foch, these new generals made better use of tanks and effectively combined various elements of warfare.

kelllly · 7 Nov 2009, 10:22 AM

Good luck with your speech!

annabackwards · 7 Nov 2009, 10:33 AM

What Kelly said, but add in the failure of the Spring Offensive AKA Operation Michael (1918) - if successful it could have very well led to Germany's victory but instead the details of the plan where not worked out and the offensive basically ran out of steam. That and the Germans realised that the government intel at home saying the British were actually worser off than the Germans were found to be lies when they took over trenches, decreasing morale and trust not only in the German goverment but their senior officers

kelllly · 9 Nov 2009, 12:17 PM

Oh, thanks Anna.

annabackwards · 9 Nov 2009, 5:10 PM

No worries, you did an awesome job by yourself anyway ^^

kelllly · 9 Nov 2009, 8:15 PM

georgia-ellen · 11 Nov 2009, 7:08 PM

Thank you so much both of you!
I had some of that, but that really cleared it up..especially crap on the internet it gets so confusing, and my texts book isn't very detailed.

Hope you both went snazzily in your HSC, I'm so jealous of you right now
gaaah!

Kittikhun · 11 Nov 2009, 8:24 PM

Damn, those are some really good notes kelly. If you just typed down those reasons for Germany's defeat from your head, I would really be surprised if you don't get a state ranking for MH.

kelllly · 12 Nov 2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgia-ellen

Thank you so much both of you!
I had some of that, but that really cleared it up..especially crap on the internet it gets so confusing, and my texts book isn't very detailed.

Hope you both went snazzily in your HSC, I'm so jealous of you right now
gaaah!

You're welcome. And thank you.

And MWAHAHAHA!

kelllly · 12 Nov 2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittikhun

Damn, those are some really good notes kelly. If you just typed down those reasons for Germany's defeat from your head, I would really be surprised if you don't get a state ranking for MH.

Awww, but I didn't.

Oh well. I'll be more than happy if I get a band 6.

And thank you for your compliment.

Ksubi · 12 Nov 2009, 10:32 AM

yeah.
EPIC FAIL.
for me.

kelllly · 12 Nov 2009, 11:13 AM

annabackwards · 12 Nov 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgia-ellen

Thank you so much both of you!
I had some of that, but that really cleared it up..especially crap on the internet it gets so confusing, and my texts book isn't very detailed.

Hope you both went snazzily in your HSC, I'm so jealous of you right now
gaaah!

You'll enjoy freedom soon enough, my friend ^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelllly

Awww, but I didn't.

Oh well. I'll be more than happy if I get a band 6.

And thank you for your compliment.

You'll get a band 6 because i said so

kelllly · 12 Nov 2009, 1:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annabackwards

You'll get a band 6 because i said so

Awww! I hope... Fingers crossed!

You, on the other hand, will definitely get a band 6.

7 Nov 2009, 9:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
georgia-ellen New Member HSC: 2010 Gender: Female Location: Sylvania Waters Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Last Activity: 17 Nov 2009, 3:22 PM	Reasons for German defeat You can hide this advertisement by registering. Hey, does anyone have any information about the reasons for German defeat? I have to do a speech on it Would be much appreciated Thanks

7 Nov 2009, 10:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
kelllly Assistant Member HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 91 Last Activity: Today, 4:00 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat Hi georgia-ellen. The reasons for Germany's defeat included: Strains on the German home front: By 1916, the strains on the German home front were apparent, and included queuing, inflation, severe shortages and inequality of suffering. Combined with the increasing casualty rates, these strains caused resentment and created disillusionment and war-weariness. They led to major strikes, weakened war production and decreased morale. Allied control of the Sea: The Allied control of the sea ensured a steady supply of troops, food and ammunition to the Western Front. The Allied blockade caused enormous hardship for the German economy. It placed severe limits on the economy's ability to supply its armies. It was also responsible for the strains on the home front. Allied economic superiority: Even before the involvement of the USA, the Allies had a combined industrial manufacturing production greater than that of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The weakness of Germany's Allies: The economic capacity of Germany's Allies was limited compared to the Allied war effort. Furthermore, Germany had to constantly reinforce the Austrians on the Eastern Front. The role of the USA: The USA provided resources (both material and human) for the Allies. It also provided huge loans for the financing of the Allied war effort. Although the arrival of American troops had no immediate effect (as they had to be properly trained and equipped), they did serve as a major blow to German morale. The troops played a significant part in the Allied counteroffensive of August-November 1918. Allied use of technology: British factories were delivering large quantities of tanks (of a better model), machine-guns, Lewis guns, trench mortars and shells. The tank played a decisive role in the Allied counterattacks on the Western Front in August 1918. It provided a weapon that broke the stalemate of trench warfare and allowed the war of movement to resume. However it can be argued that the war of attrition rather than the tank ended the stalemate. By the time the tank was reliable enough, the war had been lost by Germany. Manpower of the Central Powers: Germany lacked the human resources to sustain a long war. There were not enough men and women working on the home front. By early 1916, food shortages were resulting in riots and strikes. Continuous heavy losses resulted in raw recruits fighting for Germany in 1918. By this stage 27 Allied states were fighting the four Central Powers. The failure of the Schlieffen Plan: Germany's failure at the Marne and the subsequent 'Race to the Sea' meant that Germany had to fight a two-front war. Consequently, its resources were stretched throughout the war. The exhaustion of the German army: The morale of the German army was crumbling towards the end of the war because the initial successes of the Spring Offensive were waning. Disciplinary problems also existed, desertion rates rose and the army was suffering from a vicious influenza epidemic. Improved Allied Generalship: By 1918, many of the poor-performing generals had been removed and replaced by junior officers who gained their experience in the field. Under the united command of the French General Foch, these new generals made better use of tanks and effectively combined various elements of warfare.

7 Nov 2009, 10:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
kelllly Assistant Member HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 91 Last Activity: Today, 4:00 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat Good luck with your speech!

7 Nov 2009, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
annabackwards <3 Prophet 9 AyyyTAR Hater HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Location: Sydney Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,279 Last Activity: Today, 2:25 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat What Kelly said, but add in the failure of the Spring Offensive AKA Operation Michael (1918) - if successful it could have very well led to Germany's victory but instead the details of the plan where not worked out and the offensive basically ran out of steam. That and the Germans realised that the government intel at home saying the British were actually worser off than the Germans were found to be lies when they took over trenches, decreasing morale and trust not only in the German goverment but their senior officers __________________ Courses: Extension 1 + 2 maths, Chemistry, Physics, Modern History and Advanced English UAI aim: 99+ Click the user bars to join the groups of the era Want a friendly tutor with experience and plenty of resources? Click here, but hurry as there's only one slot left! Last edited by annabackwards; 7 Nov 2009 at 10:36 AM.

9 Nov 2009, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
kelllly Assistant Member HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 91 Last Activity: Today, 4:00 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat Oh, thanks Anna.

9 Nov 2009, 5:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
annabackwards <3 Prophet 9 AyyyTAR Hater HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Location: Sydney Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,279 Last Activity: Today, 2:25 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat No worries, you did an awesome job by yourself anyway ^^ __________________ Courses: Extension 1 + 2 maths, Chemistry, Physics, Modern History and Advanced English UAI aim: 99+ Click the user bars to join the groups of the era Want a friendly tutor with experience and plenty of resources? Click here, but hurry as there's only one slot left!

9 Nov 2009, 8:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
kelllly Assistant Member HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 91 Last Activity: Today, 4:00 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat

11 Nov 2009, 7:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
georgia-ellen New Member HSC: 2010 Gender: Female Location: Sylvania Waters Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Last Activity: 17 Nov 2009, 3:22 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat Thank you so much both of you! I had some of that, but that really cleared it up..especially crap on the internet it gets so confusing, and my texts book isn't very detailed. Hope you both went snazzily in your HSC, I'm so jealous of you right now gaaah!

11 Nov 2009, 8:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kittikhun Senior Member HSC: 2010 Gender: Male Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 276 Last Activity: Today, 9:09 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat Damn, those are some really good notes kelly. If you just typed down those reasons for Germany's defeat from your head, I would really be surprised if you don't get a state ranking for MH. __________________ We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.- George Orwell

12 Nov 2009, 10:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ksubi Assistant Member HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 87 Last Activity: 19 Nov 2009, 7:44 AM Blog Entries: 1	Re: Reasons for German defeat yeah. EPIC FAIL. for me. __________________ all i want is a 70.00 if i get 69.95 ill be pissed if i get 70.05 ill be pissed " the idea of speaking bad about things perpetuates negativity" - i tired not to bitch about anything, but it was like changing my whole personality.

12 Nov 2009, 11:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
kelllly Assistant Member HSC: 2009 Gender: Female Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 91 Last Activity: Today, 4:00 PM	Re: Reasons for German defeat

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