The Final Blockade
History: KS3, topic 16.5.5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on The Final Blockade
How many German civilians are said to have died from starvation and disease caused by the blockage?