Explain How Defeat in the Great War Affected Germany between 1918 and 1923.

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Explain How Defeat in the Great War Affected Germany between 1918 and 1923

        The effect of the Great War on Germany was phenomenal. Germany’s defeat created an embarrassed and mocked country. They were at a point where they needed a ruler. Before the war Germany was a united, keen and strong nation. They were prepared and eager to fight, with the young population patriotic and ambitious.

        Germany had a huge Reich due to a short war between Prussia and France. Prussia defeated France and then united all the states into the second largest Reich (after Russia). Germany also had a strong economy and industry. They dominated the European market by making more resources and therefore increasing trade and enforcing it. Germany had a stable and dignified situation, but even before the war and the shameful aftermath, Germany needed a leader, someone to tell them how to act and what to do next.

        Kaiser Wilhelm was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia. His birth defect (a withered left arm due to Erbs Palsy) gave him a sense of ambition to prove himself physically so that people wouldn’t pity him or take his handicap as a sign of weakness. He gained popularity and admiration from Germany, and he saw himself as someone that people would worship, as if he was a Godly figure to them.

        Wilhelm’s intelligence from studying at Kassel at the Friedrichsgymnasium and the University of Bonn were often overlooked due to his temper and poor concentration. However, Wilhelm was greatly admired by Germany and was a passionate ruler. He clearly proved that his disability was not going to affect his life. With his interesting personality and enticing charisma and his anticipation for war he was a capable and convenient leader. Most importantly, he had made Germany an autocratic country.

        His defect had made him a very ruthless and vigorous man. He was always pictured in military uniform. Whenever he joined the army he said he had found his family. These were signs of his readiness for war and perhaps he would have served more of a purpose after the war when Germany needed rehabilitation and a strong mind to repair the damaged country. In this sense, he has similar characteristics to Hitler, who also considered the army as his family.

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        Wilhelm was a strong independent leader, he was happy giving orders and directions and that is what Germany needed. The majority of German people weren’t very aware that they had to think for themselves in that point of their lives. Many Germans who were ready for the war probably weren’t fully aware of the seriousness and the outcome of the war.

        After four years, three months and fourteen days, Germany came out of the war with the largest amount of casualties: 1, 800, 000. This was one of Germany’s major shocks. Hundreds of thousands of people were left after ...

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