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What was WW1 like from a German perspective?

What was WW1 like from a German perspective?. No homework – to explain the experience of Germany during WWI B – to show both sides of the argument and assess whether and when WWI bought German politics together or drove them apart

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What was WW1 like from a German perspective?

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  1. What was WW1 like from a German perspective? No homework – to explain the experience of Germany during WWI B – to show both sides of the argument and assess whether and when WWI bought German politics together or drove them apart A/A* - to show sustained analysis on the impact of WWI on German politics Triptychon Der Krieg by Otto Dix painted between 1929 and 1932 Starter – what does the painting Triptychon Der Kreig show us about the German experience of war?

  2. Ersatz Bread The first step was the appearance of Kriegsbrot (war bread). Despite its name it was very palatable. It consisted of 55% rye, 25% wheat, and 20% potato meal, sugar and shortening. The potato element was said to prevent its getting stale. Kriegsbrot?s flavor improved by the third day and loaves a week old showed no deterioration. Although this first war bread was superior, rye and wheat flour were not always plentiful. Oats, Indian corn, barley, beans, peas and buckwheat meal had to be added as time went on. A popular cake sold in the cafés was made mostly of ground clover meal, with flour of horse-chestnuts added, a little rice, glucose, sugar or honey and chopped raisins or prunes. Even at the price it sold for--an ounce for three cents--the cake was a success, in nutrition, appearance and taste. Ersatz Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Coffee imports had became impossible by 1916. The scant stores on hand had been stretched and extenuated by the use of chicory and other supplements. A transition from coffee to coffee substitute began. The first substitute, Kaffee-ersatz, was not a bad one. It was mostly made of roasted barley and oats and the flavor was enhanced by chemicals from coal-tar. The brew had a good percentage of nutritive elements, no caffeine and was quite palatable when taken with milk and sugar--without sugar though, it was impossible. But the grain could be put to better purpose and so this led to the introduction of the substitute of a substitute. Kaffee-ersatz-ersatz was made of roasted acorns and beechnuts, with just enough roasted barley to build up a coffee flavor. It was said to be better than the first substitute but was also more expensive. Unfortunately, there weren?t enough acorns and beechnuts, much of which was being fed to pigs. Before long the excellent acorn-beechnut coffee disappeared to be replaced by a third substitute whose original ingredients were carrots and yellow turnips. A substitute for tea was not difficult. The bloom of the linden tree mixed with beech buds and a few tips of pine made an excellent "oolong." A cocoa substitute came from coal-tar and chemistry along with roasted peas and oats. Meatless Meat The advantage of the conversion of grains, nuts and vegetables that were used as substitutes was to placate the old eating habits of the public. The same food value would be found if consumed in some other form. This placation was no more evident than on every meatless, fatless, or wheatless day or period. The rice "lamb" chop would satisfy even an exacting taste. Rice was boiled and formed into a lump resembling a chop. A skewer of wood was stuck into the lump to serve as a bone. The illusion was made more complete with a little paper rosette to top off the "bone" and served with green peas and a sprig of watercress. Fried in real mutton tallow, it came to the table with the look and aroma of the real thing. The vegetable beefsteak was a composition of cornmeal, spinach, potatoes, and ground nuts with an egg to bind the mass together. It took becoming used to the thing?s interior, which was pale green, in order to achieve the satisfaction of using a knife in good earnest. The paucity of meat was a result of an economic decision made in 1914. It was easier and less wasteful to distribute cereals and vegetables directly than the more complex food products from animals, which required the same cereals and vegetables to keep alive. It was thought to be of more value to the state to eliminate the step of having animal stomachs convert home-raised cereal into meat and let the human stomach attend to the grain directly. The shortage of meat, lard, suet, butter, and eggs actually helped to improve the health of the public, due to the elimination of three-quarters of the fat normally consumed. Since no animal fat could be produced without sacrificing a good share of the country?s cereal supply, the animal-product industry was kept down to its lowest possible level. However, this had the undesirable effect of raising the prices of what meats and fats that were available and encouraging illicit trading.

  3. German experiences of WW1 No homework – Positive B+ united politics 1915 Allied losses huge. Germany switch attention to Western Front and knocking GB out of WW1. No homework – stick your stickers in the correct order with positive or negative experiences B – stick your stickers in the correct order and whether events united or divided politics 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 No homework – Negative experience B+ - divided politics

  4. For each year (1914-18) look at the events and write down a key question facing Germany at that point. • For example: Why did Germany wage unrestricted submarine warfare when it carried with it the risk of the USA joining the war? • Can you answer these questions • 1914: • 1915: • 1916: • 1917: • 1918:

  5. 1914: Burgfried – ‘I know of no parties any more, only Germans’. Defensive war. SPD voted for credits in the Reichstag. Only Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg voted against it which led to their expulsion from the SPD. • Why did the SPD support the war? • 1915: • 1916: . End of Burgfried and polarisation of political parties on their beliefs of the war. Why did Burgfried end? Silent dictatorship by Ludendorff and Hindeburg – could create and demote chancellors. Why did no-one oppose this silent dictatorship? • 1917: • 1918:

  6. Example exam question • Part A • ‘The First World War increased rather than narrowed Germany’s political divisions.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? • Highlight key words – must be in first sentence, throughout essay and in the conclusion • What must you remember in a part a? How to answer: Introduction Section 1 - How and when during the war was there a narrowing of political divisions? Section 2 - At what point were divisions made worse and how? Conclusion - On balance, what was the greatest impact of the war on political divisions?

  7. Example exam question • Part A • ‘The First World War increased rather than narrowed Germany’s political divisions.’ How far do you agree with this judgement?

  8. Homework – Due Monday 11th November • Answer ‘The First World War increased rather than narrowed Germany’s political divisions.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? • Read pp. ……………. and write an official government report on the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution • Charis – think back to aim, what should you include • Everybody else – what should you remember to do? Think about your mock and your aim. • Deborah meeting • Fares half-term homework and essay • Fares and Reginald – intervention starts next week

  9. What if.... • The German army had got to Paris in 1914? • The Russian army had collapsed after the defeat in 1915? • Falkenhayn had stayed in post as Commander in Chief for the next two years? • The peace agenda had been followed in the summer of 1917? • Germany had conscripted women to work?

  10. Sum up WW1 from a German point of view in ... • 5 sentences • 5 words • 1 word

  11. What kind of revolution was the 1918 revolution? B – to give a justified judgement on what kind of revolution the 1918 revolution was A/A* - to explain different people’s interpretations of the 1918 revolution and explain its impacts • Write a tweet explaining why Germany surrendered • 140 characters

  12. Naval blockade. February 1917 unrestricted submarine warfare to starve Britain out of the war. Hoped would starve them out before America joined the war – within 5-6 months. Convoy system worked. US joined. Germany industrial output fell. • Turnip winter • December 1917 Russia leaves the war. Germany could concentrate troops on Western Front. • August 1918 Hundred Days offensive by the allies – made a gap 15 miles long in German lines. They advanced in 14 miles before the Germans managed to stop them. Collapse in morale apparent. • Kept breaking through. Germany realised couldn’t hold them, especially Hindenburg and Ludendorff. • More Americans kept arriving • Balkans collapsed and couldn’t supply Germany with oil and food • Kiel mutiny • Eventually, winning the war appeared impossible and Prince Maximilian of Baden took charge of a new government and negotiated a peace settlement.

  13. Woodrow Wilson demanded that the Kaiser had to abdicate for a peace settlement to occur. Support for the Kaiser was lagging anyway in Germany (particularly from the left). It was decided that this would happen. • A new constitution had to be written and a new type of government decided on. A revolution in the ruling of Germany began.

  14. Write down the key steps to the revolution • Write next to each one these letters for the type of revolution • D – democratic • S – Social • A – above • B – below • Use the hand outs to help you.

  15. B – How could you best describe the 1918 revolution? Justify your answer. • A – How would these people interpret the revolution? • Rosa Luxemburg • Ebert • What impact would the revolution have on Germany?

  16. Use these key terms in sentence about WWI or the 1918 revolution • Burgfried • Attrition • Polarisation • Silent Dictatorship • Ersatz • Total War • Convoy system • Social Revolution • Revolution from above

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