Why Germany Lost World War I
Erich Ludendorff This is a summary of the reasons Germany lost World War I. The Allies, sometimes called the Entente, was the alliance of France, Russia, and England, later including the United States. INTRODUCTION Before the war began, Germany could be optimistic about its prospects. The German economy, based on new technology and manufacturing (steel and chemicals), was the largest and most modern in Europe. The two largest manufacturers of heavy artillery were in Germany (Krupp) and Austria-Hungary (Skoda). Germany had the best army in Europe and a detailed strategic plan to quickly win the war. What Germany lacked was the national resources to win a long war of attrition. The new weapons produce by industrialized countries tended to give defensive positions with machine guns and barbed wire an advantage over massed infantry attacks. Kaiser Wilhelm’s bombasts and threats had alienated Europe and created enemies. Germany’s only major ally, Austri...