Germany's Defeat of World War 1
The Fall of the German Empire
German Aspect of WW1
The war in Europe had quickly erupted between the great powers fighting for superiority, the triple Alliance surrounded by the triple Entente. Germany was in the center of the war;Great Britain to the North, France to the South and Russia to their East. They are quickly blockaded by the colossal navy from the North leaving nearly a million German civilians to starve as a result. Coming into the war, Germany had a formidable army, only bested by the British. Their hope lies within the Schlieffen plan-quickly submit France and rapidly maneuver their troops to prioritize Russia. However with the Triple Entente's vast amount of resources, German odds of winning the war became slimmer as the western front came to a stalemate.
Overlooked Factors
Germany had a very strong plan, but it lacked foresight. Both sides believed Germany would efficiently override France from the moment the invasion of Belgium took action. However France quickly responded in such a way that would prevent the targeted Paris from being overthrown by Germans, creating the battlefield in the western front. At the same time, Austria-Hungary was occupied with Serbia (and later Italy), who would later gain support and resources against the Austrians.
falling German Economy
At the start of the war, Germany's economic status was unmatched by any other European country. They were the most industrialized nation alongside America until they directed the civilian economy to the war effort. With the blockade in effect, Germany was cut off from all supplies and foreign aid by the outside world. And although the United States remained neutral during the beginning of the war, they still heavily funded Britain who at the time were the third most industrialized nation. As the war went on, Germany went from a prosperous nation to a crippled economy in 5 years time. With the cost of maintaining a standing army, Germany didn't have enough agricultural space, leaving a large scale starvation. Nearing the end of the war, Germany's demand couldn't match it's supply by far.
Italy Betrays Austria-Hungary
In 1882, the triple alliance was established by Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy as a measure to provide aid to one another if they were attacked by either France or Russia. When the war broke out, Italy was not convinced it will receive the colonial territory it desired in North Africa. They were also not afflicted by France nor Russia. In August 1914, Italy had gained a position of neutrality. May 23, 1915, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary.
Bad Harvests
The triple Entente were already having a food shortage, with the plans of using Russia as farmland. They were hit with 2 bad harvests, crippling German and Austrian civilians.
The Tank
Despite two separate declarations being passed prohibiting the use of poison gas, both German and French troops used chemical warfare. This was, at the time, considered to be extremely innovated until it was countered with the gas mask. The tank, first produced by the British was the modern day Calvary. As new models were deployed, German lines struggled to hold them back. Germany couldn't meet the same demand as the opposing side.
The Airplane
During the start of the war, Germany's many airplanes were superior to the French and British. Until the war was nearing it's end in 1917, where Germany found itself outmatched in the skies with second-rate planes in comparison. The British started producing aircraft's later, relying on French supplies at first.
The United States Joins the War
The U.S. were mainly "neutral" during the first world war. European countries would pay hefty prices to use the overseas nation as a manufacturer for guns and ammunition, as well as vehicles. But with ties to the British who they were already supporting with little effort towards German trade, The United States were forced to join the war. They used the German u-boat sinking a British ship containing Americans as fuel that also lead to propaganda. Joining the war in April 6, 1917, they were commissioned with guns and ammunition, as well as other supplies with large factories that were payed for by Europe. America had sent a million men by 1918 to France, using mainly their supplies. America had now possessed a large standing army entirely for free. As a result, Germany could not defeat Russia in the Eastern front because of the threat in the western front.