“Economic factors determined the outcome of the First World War.” Discuss.

Candidates must give a considered and balanced review of the argument that it was economic factors that determined the outcome of the First World War. Other factors in determining the outcome of the war, including military and diplomatic issues, could also be discussed.

Indicative content

• Economic factors may include a range of issues: governments’ creation of state agencies to control and organize the production of key raw materials and armaments, as well as the organization of labour and transport. Governments also created special taxes/war bonds or took out loans from abroad.
• In support of the statement, candidates could argue that as the war dragged on, the greater economic resources of Britain and France and their empires were bound to wear down their enemies. With the entry of the US into the war in April 1917 this disparity in economic resources grew.
• Some might argue that the economic organization of the Home Front was more successful in Britain than in Germany. For Germany, candidates could point to economic problems: growing inflation and the limited success of the War Raw Materials Office under Rathenau. Ultimately, the Hindenburg Programme was introduced in 1916; but its diversion of yet more resources into
  war production led to catastrophic food shortages that in turn led to growing domestic discontent by early 1917 (the Turnip Winter).
• As a balancing argument one could highlight the economic failures of Britain in the war, for example, the Shell Crisis of 1915. Nevertheless, Britain was one of the victorious powers.
• In addition, candidates could argue that it was other factors that determined the outcome of the war: Germany’s weak allies; the successful naval blockade of Germany and Austria-Hungary; Allied military victories in 1918; and German diplomatic blunders, such as the sinking of US ships and the Zimmermann Telegram.
• Candidates may argue that some factors are both economic and military in nature, for example, the naval blockades and the German U-boat campaign.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]