How Germany Lost World War I

"Germany started the First World War (1914-18) with the belief its armed forces could win a quick and decisive victory over France and then Russia. The reality turned out to be much more complicated as more countries became involved in a global war that lasted five years. An alternative title to this article, of course, could be How the Allies Won the War."

"Germany's allies were much weaker militarily than those on the opposing side. Germany's Schlieffen Plan for a quick victory in 1914 was seriously flawed and badly executed. Germany was obliged to fight on two fronts for four years: East and West. The Allies were able to absorb, resist, and push back the German invasion. Germany never established a full war economy."

Germany began the war expecting a quick, decisive victory but instead fought a prolonged, global conflict. Strategic errors such as the flawed Schlieffen Plan and the necessity of fighting on two fronts compromised success. Weaknesses of German allies and failures to establish a full war economy increased vulnerabilities. The Allied naval blockade cut vital resources while the U-boat campaign failed to secure maritime dominance. Investments in large ships, airships, and superguns yielded little strategic benefit. German commanders underestimated tanks, pursued disconnected objectives, and lacked sufficient transport and troop rotation. Unrestricted submarine warfare and American material and manpower ultimately shifted the balance.

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