16.5.5

The Final Blockade

Test yourself

The Impact of the Naval Blockade

The British naval blockade backed up the Allied advance on the Western Front. It was the final military component of the Allied victory.

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The blockade

  • The Allied blockade against Germany restricted ships supplying goods to the Central Powers.
  • Although the Germans had launched a U-boat campaign against Britain, it was far less effective.
  • The impact of the blockade on Germany was enormous.
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Death toll

  • Up to 800,000 German civilians are thought to have died because of the starvation and disease caused by the blockade.
  • The blockade made the ‘turnip winter’ of 1916-1917 AD worse in Germany. This was when Germany was suffering because of a failed potato harvest.
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Starvation

  • Some argue that starvation on the home front forced German defeat in 1918 AD.
  • However many historians disagree. They argue that Germany had new resources from Russia and starvation was reduced by the rationing system.
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Morale

  • The blockade definitely had some material effect on Germany.
  • It also contributed to a growing sense of war weariness, overall low morale, and resentment against the military leadership.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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