The Defeat of Russia and the End of World War I
Although Germany was not victorious by the end of World War I, Ludendorff’s strategies proved successful in battles, and eventually created the armistice with Russia that Falkenhayn desired, and even temporarily broke the stalemate in the trenches. The treaty of Brest-Litovsk was the German victory over Russia, which forced Russia to “give up 780,000 square kilometers of territory, fifty-six million people, one-third of its railway network, 73 percent of its iron ore production, and 89 percent of its coal supply” ( Millar 168), effectively ended Russia’s involvement in World War I. This treaty came on the heels of the push towards a Russian Revolution lead by Vladimir Lenin, which contributed to Germany’s victory over Russia due to the distraction the revolution provided. For a short period of time in 1918, Germany was even able to break the stalemate and advance on the front lines, but this was short-lived and ultimately lead to the final defeat of Germany in World War .
As the French began their offensive and using the “creeping barrage”, the Germans “could simply withhold their counter-barrage until the creeping barrage began” (Europe Since 1914, John Merriman and Jay Winter) to effectively counter this tactic. Because the Germans were so effective in their counter attacks, “The French made small and irregular gains, and in the first two weeks of the offensive suffered some one hundred forty-seven thousand men killed, wounded, or missing” (Europe Since 1914, John Merriman and Jay Winter). Although the German Army made advances towards the end of the war, their efforts ultimately ended in failure. German soldiers began to lose morale after realizing the elite stormtroopers were being wiped out by the opposition. Germany realized defeat was inevitable, knowing the American reinforcements were virtually endless, and requested an armistice with the Allies. Though Ludendorff displayed his strategic prowess by orchestrating victorious battles, he and Hindenburg ultimately failed to lead their homeland to victory.
As the French began their offensive and using the “creeping barrage”, the Germans “could simply withhold their counter-barrage until the creeping barrage began” (Europe Since 1914, John Merriman and Jay Winter) to effectively counter this tactic. Because the Germans were so effective in their counter attacks, “The French made small and irregular gains, and in the first two weeks of the offensive suffered some one hundred forty-seven thousand men killed, wounded, or missing” (Europe Since 1914, John Merriman and Jay Winter). Although the German Army made advances towards the end of the war, their efforts ultimately ended in failure. German soldiers began to lose morale after realizing the elite stormtroopers were being wiped out by the opposition. Germany realized defeat was inevitable, knowing the American reinforcements were virtually endless, and requested an armistice with the Allies. Though Ludendorff displayed his strategic prowess by orchestrating victorious battles, he and Hindenburg ultimately failed to lead their homeland to victory.