Zusammenfassung der Ressource
WW1 impact
on Germany
- initially, the war united Germans,
but as the war went on, tensions
and disagreements resurfaced.
- The war was a huge economic strain. Only 16% of the cost of the war was paid in tax.
- War bonds were used and money printed
- printing money led to very bad inflation
- the mark declined 75% in value from 1913-18
- German agriculture was not mobilised effectively
- 2 million soldiers were killed in WW1
- Living standards dropped 20-30%
- Food and fuel shortage caused misery
- Shortages made the Spanish flu effect worse
- The Kaiser was sidelined by the military, and much of the work was done by Hindenburg.
- Germany's defeat was shocking to many Germans
- Stab in the back myth
- The Kaiser was sidelined- the 'silent dictator'
- Significant strikes were had
- by 1918 there was widespread discontent
- War -> formation of communist Spartacist league
- 1917- SPD splits into SPD and radical USPD
- Initially wanted Burgfriede
- This changed to the Right wanting Siegfriede