Why did Germany surrender in 1918?

Answer 1

Technically, Germany did not surrender on 11 November 1918. All combatant commanders signed an Armistice. That is a document that agrees to cessation of hostilities until various issues can be addressed by their political leaders. There were/are precedents in European warfare, such as the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714).

It's true that the German economy was in crisis and the army demoralised, possibly on the brink of mass mutiny and communist insurrection, following the Russian revolution a year earlier. It is this final point that led German politicians to press for a Treaty to end the fighting.

However, the French economy and national morale were in an even more parlous state. In addition, the French had/have lost every war in which they engaged since 1714 and their politicians saw the same conclusion looming in autumn 1918. Anything to stop the fighting would have been acceptable but the German agreement to a Treaty raised the prospect of reparations - the financial equivalent of revenge.

The British economy was badly affected by the war but not so greatly as the French or German, mainly because of its reliance on Empire manufacturing, raw materials and manpower. In many ways, the British manufacturing and construction sectors were in a stronger state in 1918 than they had been in 1914.

The USA economy was hardly affected by the war. Very few men and a miniscule proportion of national output was devoted to Europe.

Then it went wrong. Neither Lloyd George not Woodrow Wilson felt able to dissuade Clemenceau from pressing for massive reparation from a Germany which everyone knew couldn't pay. The USA lent money to Germany to pay the French for a period of 5 years, but that did not satisfy the revenge-lust of the French and they invaded the Ruhr in 1923 (by which time Poincare was Prime Minister), and effectively occupied one-fifth of German territory. Production stopped and reparations became even more impossible.

Failure of the German economy and the loss of its gold reserves led to hyper-inflation and political revolution. The British economy became involved through loss of exports and of confidence in its own bank reserve position, and output declined in 1923 and 1924. The Great Depression had started, as had the track that led to National Socialism and the rise of Hitler.

Fault for the dire economic consequences of the peace must lie mainly with the French desires for revenge and for impossible financial compensation. Peace was never declared, no national army surrendered, and the Treaty of Versaillles was destined to become the excuse that some German politicians needed to re-arm in the 1930s.

Answer 2

The problem was Manpower, Economic blockade and lack of basic food stuffs.
The Germans put everything into the 'Kaiser Battles' of early 1918 with the transfer of troops from the Eastern States, a knock out blow was required to destabelise the Allied nations. They came very close with the first battle, as the French and British where stretched very thinly. However the line held and the war continued.
The Germans used to the privitation of the war and the letters from home talking about rations etc, but when they overran the British positions, found well stocked trenches and depots, this added to the moral problem, also the disobediance to pursue the retreating enemy as the troops looted.
In the end sheer weight of numbers told as the Allied counter attacks began, the Germans fell back towards the Hindenburg line, which was then penetrated by the Allied armies.
On top of that the exhaustion of the Turks, Austrians and Bulgarians and the collapse of their power led to more and more troops being sent to these countries to bolster moral.
After the fateful meeting where Hindenburg persuaded the German Goverment to sue for an Armistace, he goes on to say, if he had not panicked and left it for a day or so, he would have said continue the war.
We was lucky to a certain extent.
Hope this helps

Answer 3

Because a war is over when the last reserves in men, ammunition, food and supplies are spent. That happened in Germany in mid 1918. The last offensive was the last offensive the Germans could manage. however, the Ludendorf offensive was beaten off. At the same time more and more US troops were strengthening the Allies. They didn't do much as yet, but in 1919 the US army would in all likelihood be massive. The defeat of the Ludendorf offensive caused uprisings in German cities. The home front was on short rations for far too long. The navy rebelled. And even at the front the men had had enough. There simply wasn't any option left but surrender and hope for the best.

Answer 4

there were a number of reasons why Germany signed the armistice on 11 November 1918. One factor was the loss of Austria-Hungry and Turkey, her key allies, while the entrance of America worsened Germany's possition. Germany was also in the middle of an economic crisis as millions of her own people were starving due to British ships blockading German ports. Also as most of the men were fighting, there was no one to work on farms except for women and children and they were not as good at providing food as the men (didn't really know what they were doing). Most Germans were living on less than 1000 calories a day (starvation level) Disease was also killing thousands of people and the most devestating diease was the common flu - influenza. There were no medical supplies either. There were also power cuts as there was not enough fuel for electricity.

These economic factors were worsened by the war, and the fact that millions of Germans were being killed. When Germany first asked for an armistice, the Allies said that they would only consider peace if the Kaiser abdicated. The Kaiser refused and still believed that Germany could still win the war and so ordered the Navy in Kiel Harbour to attack the British ships. The sailors knew this was a suicide mission as they could never defeat the British navy and so refused to obey the order - they mutinied. They then gained the support of soldiers, who also mutinied, and this revolution quickly spread throught Germany. Many Germans saw that the Kaiser was an obsticle to peace and so called for his abdication. The Kaiser, who had lost the support of his generals and the public, abdicated and a provisional government was put in charge. The first thing they did was sign the Armistice and pull Germany out of the war.

Answer 5

The final German offensives of May and June 1918 (Operations Blucher-Yorck) and August 1918 (called the "Black Day" of the German Army) resulted in the loss of huge numbers of the best German troops . Remaining units, who had been promised a crushing victory by Ludendorff, were massively reduced in numbers, completely demoralised and inclined to surrender without putting up further resistance. There were no more reserves and food and equipment shortages were becoming extreme.

The British 4th Army alone took 21,000 German prisoners between 8 and 12 August 1918 (nothing to do with the Americans!!!!!).

Answer 6

Exhaustion - - - the Kaiser's Government bungled the war from the beginning and under the chaotic generalship of Ludendorf during 1917 into mid 1918 squandered opportunity after opportunity to either win the war outright or to reach a political settlement. With America pouring in fresh troops for the slaughter in mid 1918 and the collapse of civil order in many German cities, with German sailors in revolt, it was time to chuck in the proverbial towel....

Often a nation's spirit to wage war becomes extinguished thus it was with Germany in 1918. Dispirited, the backrupty of ideas evident in the Kaiser's continued inability to rule his nation. It is fascinating to contrast the Kaiser with the King of Belgium. The Kaiser full of bluff & bluster was in truth an inept leader who led his country into disaster not once but twice since World War One led to World War Two. King ALbert of Belgium was an effective intelligent and above all brave man who fought back against the Germans, saving France in the process (for which Belgium gets ZERO credit), and ultimately Albert helped lead the charge that broke the will of the German Army.

You ought to read 'The Swordbearers' by Coreli Bennet, it is readable and offers incredible insight.

Peace............................................................................c
PS Credit goes to several factors; an effective Naval blockade, the 'surprising' toughness of France, Britains willingness to right, and America entering the War. One must also credit Italy for tying down Austrian troops that could have made the difference on the Western Front. Aboive all the British and Americans and yes the French had better Generals than Germany despite the reputation for Teutonic Valor...

Answer 7

The German army was exhausted. The Michael Offensive nearly brought them victory, at a terrible cost of close to a million men. The German populace was starved due to the British blockade. Ludendorff and Hidenburg agreed to surrender to spare Germany any more years of suffering and the loss of all territories West of the Rhine to no avail

Answer 8

Bulgaria was the first of the Central Powers to surrender. One month later Turkey followed (30 October), followed by the collapsing Austro-Hungarian Empire (3 November) and finally German on 11 November. The failure of Germany’s summer offensive and the start of the Allied counterattacks had undermined the morale of Germany’s allies, while their collapse had contributed to the eventual German surrender.

Answer 9

They lost battles all over Europe.
The Austro Ungarian Surrendered first to Italy on the Italian border.

Answer 10

Because they had lost so many men and the population were starving. There was a threat of revolution as in Russia so they arranged a ceasefire.