2.1 Germany and the First World
War
Germany at War
People in Germany started to suffer when Britain enforced a
blockade of supply ships during the war.
o Shortages of food, medicine and clothing.
o In 1915, 500 women gathered in front of German parliament
buildings to protest against the war
o In 1916, 10,000 workers assembled in Berlin to protest against
war and the government.
Police intervened quickly and made arrests
Impact of War
By 1918, Germany was close to collapse.
o People surviving only on turnips and bread
o Deadly flu epidemic in country – killing thousands from a weak
diet
o Germany close to defeat on battlefields
In Oct, General Ludendorff (a war hero) told politician
they could not win the war.
Advised Kaiser to share power so Allies would treat them
better.
The Kaiser agreed reluctantly but too late – people
wanted a revolution against him or for him to
resign.
Mutiny and Revolution
28th Oct 1918 – German Navy ordered to attack British ships in Kiel,
Northern Germany
o Sailors refused to follow orders – a mutiny
News spread and others sailors also refused. Workers
supported them.
Soldiers sent to deal with protests joined the sailors.
They set up special councils to run towns.
Abdicate – to give up the throne of a country
Mutiny – a rebellion by soldiers or sailors who reuse to take orders
November Criminals – the nickname given to the German politicians
who ended the First World War and signed the hated Treaty of Versailles
on Germany’s behalf
War
Germany at War
People in Germany started to suffer when Britain enforced a
blockade of supply ships during the war.
o Shortages of food, medicine and clothing.
o In 1915, 500 women gathered in front of German parliament
buildings to protest against the war
o In 1916, 10,000 workers assembled in Berlin to protest against
war and the government.
Police intervened quickly and made arrests
Impact of War
By 1918, Germany was close to collapse.
o People surviving only on turnips and bread
o Deadly flu epidemic in country – killing thousands from a weak
diet
o Germany close to defeat on battlefields
In Oct, General Ludendorff (a war hero) told politician
they could not win the war.
Advised Kaiser to share power so Allies would treat them
better.
The Kaiser agreed reluctantly but too late – people
wanted a revolution against him or for him to
resign.
Mutiny and Revolution
28th Oct 1918 – German Navy ordered to attack British ships in Kiel,
Northern Germany
o Sailors refused to follow orders – a mutiny
News spread and others sailors also refused. Workers
supported them.
Soldiers sent to deal with protests joined the sailors.
They set up special councils to run towns.
Abdicate – to give up the throne of a country
Mutiny – a rebellion by soldiers or sailors who reuse to take orders
November Criminals – the nickname given to the German politicians
who ended the First World War and signed the hated Treaty of Versailles
on Germany’s behalf
