The End of the First World War

Was Germany defeated in the First World War?

Germany requested an armistice, and this was signed between Germany and the Allies on 11th November 1918. This was the formal end to the fighting while a peace treaty was negotiated.

What were the reasons for the German defeat in the First World War?

There were a number of reasons for Germany's overall defeat in the First World War:

• ❖ Food and famine. Germany's agricultural production was poor and it relied on foreign imports. However, the British naval blockade starved Germany of these, and there was a series of bad harvests. As the Germans starved, they rioted against the government.
• ❖ Political turmoil. There was a series of riots and revolts against the government. In October there was a naval mutiny, followed by revolutions in Munich and, finally, riots in Berlin. This caused the kaiser to abdicate.
• ❖ Military defeat. Germany realised it was facing a military defeat. With the failure of the Ludendorff Offensive, the introduction of two million US troops and its allies surrendering, Germany knew it could no longer continue the fight.