1. Total War German – Home Front

2. Role of Government Role of government increased Role of government increased A War Raw Materials Department was created – falling imports meant shortages in steel production and agricultural fertilisers A War Raw Materials Department was created – falling imports meant shortages in steel production and agricultural fertilisers Directed labour was introduced Directed labour was introduced Supreme War Office Supreme War Office Patriotic Auxiliary Service Law (men 17 – 60 called for labour service) Patriotic Auxiliary Service Law (men 17 – 60 called for labour service)

3. Role of Government Rationing began in 1916 under War Food Office Rationing began in 1916 under War Food Office 258 laws were created to control supply and distribution of essential supplies 258 laws were created to control supply and distribution of essential supplies Game (rabbits, deer, etc) was exempt, this mean that city workers were far more disadvantaged than landowners Game (rabbits, deer, etc) was exempt, this mean that city workers were far more disadvantaged than landowners

4. Role of Government Censorship was complete; the war was considered defensive Censorship was complete; the war was considered defensive Conscription was considered an accepted German tradition Conscription was considered an accepted German tradition A propaganda ‘hate’ campaign against Britain was launched A propaganda ‘hate’ campaign against Britain was launched Political repression continued and increased Political repression continued and increased

5. Trade and Industry Germany was dependent on imports of raw materials – production was not sufficient for a long war Germany was dependent on imports of raw materials – production was not sufficient for a long war Problems were partly overcome by the production of synthetics Problems were partly overcome by the production of synthetics There was a heavy dependence on good harvests There was a heavy dependence on good harvests 1915 Heavy rains destroy crops 1915 Heavy rains destroy crops

6. Trade and Industry Working conditions deteriorated Working conditions deteriorated Hours of work increased Hours of work increased Wages fell and prices rose Wages fell and prices rose Worker discontent increased – in May 1916 there were strikes in munitions factories that led to increased government intervention; strikers were sent to the battle front Worker discontent increased – in May 1916 there were strikes in munitions factories that led to increased government intervention; strikers were sent to the battle front

7. Trade and Industry War debt increased, meaning that the war was being paid for by loans not taxes War debt increased, meaning that the war was being paid for by loans not taxes The Allied blockade seriously damaged German trade The Allied blockade seriously damaged German trade

8. Social Changes The importance of women in the workforce grew – Germany’s recruitment of female workers was the most widespread and efficient among the combatant countries The importance of women in the workforce grew – Germany’s recruitment of female workers was the most widespread and efficient among the combatant countries Discontent rose as a result of the falling standard of living Discontent rose as a result of the falling standard of living Winter of 1916 – 17 there were power and fuel shortages, as well as severe food shortages Winter of 1916 – 17 there were power and fuel shortages, as well as severe food shortages

9. Social Changes Oct 1916 30,000 attended a peace demonstration Oct 1916 30,000 attended a peace demonstration April 1917 300,000 struck in Berlin April 1917 300,000 struck in Berlin January 1918 5000,000 again struck in Berlin this time political demands were being made January 1918 5000,000 again struck in Berlin this time political demands were being made Nov 1918 the Kaiser was forced to abdicate and a republican parliament was created, led by the SPD. Nov 1918 the Kaiser was forced to abdicate and a republican parliament was created, led by the SPD.

10. Politics The war had initial Reichstag support; even the SPD was pro-war The war had initial Reichstag support; even the SPD was pro-war The Reichstag demanded political reform The Reichstag demanded political reform The Reichstag’s importance increased; the role of the Kaiser declined after 1916 The Reichstag’s importance increased; the role of the Kaiser declined after 1916 Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg resigned in July 1917 Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg resigned in July 1917 Between 1917 – 18 Ludendorff was virtually dictator of Germany Between 1917 – 18 Ludendorff was virtually dictator of Germany