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The defeat of Germany, 1917 to 18
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In 1918 Germany made one last great attack. When it failed, the Allies drove the German army back until it asked for an armistice.
US entry
The USA declared war on Germany in April 1917, angered by unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram.
Its fresh troops and huge resources gave the Allies a big boost, though most arrived in 1918.
Its fresh troops and huge resources gave the Allies a big boost, though most arrived in 1918.
The Ludendorff Spring Offensive, 1918
With Russia out of the war, Germany moved troops west.
In March 1918, Ludendorff launched a huge offensive using stormtroopers and gained a lot of ground.
But it ran out of supplies and men, and could not break through.
In March 1918, Ludendorff launched a huge offensive using stormtroopers and gained a lot of ground.
But it ran out of supplies and men, and could not break through.
The Allied drive to victory
From August 1918 (beginning at Amiens), the Allies attacked with tanks, aircraft and artillery working together.
Germany's allies collapsed, and at home there was hunger and unrest caused by the British blockade.
Germany signed the armistice on 11 November 1918.
Germany's allies collapsed, and at home there was hunger and unrest caused by the British blockade.
Germany signed the armistice on 11 November 1918.
Explain why the Ludendorff Spring Offensive failed.
- German troops advanced faster than their supplies could follow.
- They suffered heavy losses of their best soldiers.
- The Allies, helped by growing numbers of Americans, held the line.
Answer: It ran out of supplies and men while the Allies, reinforced by the USA, held on.
The USA entered the war in April 1917. Ludendorff's Spring Offensive (March 1918) gained ground but failed. From Amiens (August 1918), the Allies advanced using combined tactics. With allies collapsing and hunger at home, Germany signed the armistice on 11 November 1918.
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