Germany lost WW1 due to a variety of military, socio-economic & political, and strategic reasons. The war itself continued for 4 years, inflicting various casualties and economic hardships on Germany. The most important reason why Germany lost WW1 were its incompetence to carry out it’s various strategies – originating from the first strategic failure, the failure of the Schlieffen Plan. The military incompetence of Germany on land and in sea was also an important cause leading to their loss in WW1. Germany’s socio-economic condition and the incompetence of the political system in dealing with it was another important cause resulting in Germany’s loss in WW1. Thus, there were various reasons as to why Germany lost WW1, all of which had the same theme – the incompetence of Germany in various areas – that led them to lose WW1.
INCOMPETENCE TO CARRY OUT IT’S VARIOUS STRATEGIES:
Schlieffen Plan failure [Schlieffen Plan was supposed to take france by surprise by german attack coming from north instead of the metz area of Germany. Germany was to go through Belgium and then sweep around paris – which would surrender. Vardun = attacked = surrender. After france = beaten, germant would beat estern front] Russia mobilises quicker than expected [eastern front instead of Belgium – troops were sent. Belgium, therefore Britain entered the waron 4 august. No british intervention allowance. Decided to defend mons] british slow germans down [guns; machine guns thought. German advance was delayed. went south instead of north underestimated: amount of time they’d need, Russian military, alliance between france and Britain Battle of the Marne – France wins under Joffre September 1914 France not knocked out, not a short war, full scale war on two fronts for Germans War of Movement = over – trenches created; now led to stalemate STALEMATE CREATED
MILITARY INCOMPETENCE: Sea
Battle of Falkland islands = Britain