problems at end of ww1

• Naval Blockade


  • Britain used her naval fleet to stop Germany being able to import goods.
  • This led to a lack of food, clothing, and medicines and Germany had to ration goods.
• Lack of Food 


  • People were starving & scavenged in fields and gutters for scraps of rotting food.​
  • By 1918 the average adult German was living on 1000 calories a day. ​
  • Over 750,000 people died in Germany from starvation or malnutrition during WW1.​

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• Flu


  • In 1918 –over 400,000 Germans died from influenza pandemic – known as the Spanish Flu
  • The British naval blockade limited not only food coming into Germany but also the medicines available.​
• Economic Problems

  • Germany had significant war debts ($38 billion spent on the war).
  • As the government printed paper money, the German currency fell in value. This meant Germans struggled to afford food; fuel or rents
• Lack of raw materials

  • lack of coal led to power cuts. Germany was also deprived of vital war materials e.g. steel for aircrafts.
• • shortage of food caused looting and food riots