Why, in spite of its military preparedness, was Germany defeated in the First World

War?

The key issue is the reasons for German defeat in the First World War. The best candidates ,
21-25 marks, will be balanced in their approach and look at the range of issues. They will
realise that German defeat was as much from its own weaknesses as it was from the strength
of its opponents. Militarily, German had come up with the Schlieffen Plan and arms had
been built up. Generals had predicted a short sharp war. Candidates will look at the failures
of the Schlieffen Plan and how war became protracted. Economic and political problems
made sustaining the war difficult. Germany’s allies had all been defeated by 1918. Alone,
Germany could not stand the combined effort of the Allied Powers especially when the USA
joined the war and added to military, financial and manpower resources. Strength of the
Allies included the contributions of the Generals to strategy and the vital role of the British
Navy.

18-20 marks: candidates may miss possible lines of discussion and not give due credit to
efforts of the big powers.

16-17 marks: answers will describe reasons for German defeat with limited comments.

14-15 marks: answers will offer fuller narratives of how Germany was defeated. Comments
will be implicit.

11-13 marks: answers will be fairly accurate but lack adequate knowledge

10 marks and below: lack both knowledge and a clear understanding of why Germany was
defeated