Why did Germany have food shortages in 1918?
A British naval blockade had led to severe food shortages. In 1918 293,000 Germans died from starvation and hypothermia. The blockade, combined with a war on two fronts, restricted Germany’s ability to trade, which was the basis of its pre-war economic growth. Its chemical industry virtually collapsed.
How did hyperinflation make Germany weak?
Hyperinflation and its results Hyperinflation was caused by the sudden flood of paper money into the economy on top of the general strike, combined with a weak economy ruined by the war: the inflation rate rose dramatically – German currency lost virtually all value.
What caused the turnip winter?
Wartime food shortages in Germany in the winter of 1916–1917 were terrible. The civilian population called it the “turnip winter,” a bitter nickname, given the indignity of having to eat turnips, normally considered to be food fit only for cattle.
What rose in Germany due to hyperinflation?
This flood of money led to hyperinflation as the more money was printed, the more prices rose. Prices ran out of control, for example a loaf of bread, which cost 250 marks in January 1923, had risen to 200,000 million marks in November 1923.
What Germans ate in 1914?
German Daily Ration, 1914 fresh or frozen meat, or 200g (7 oz) preserved meat; 1,500g (53 oz.) potatoes, or 125-250g (4 1/2-9 oz.) vegetables, or 60g (2 oz.) dried vegetables, or 600g (21 oz.)
What did they eat during WW1?
A typical day, writes Murlin, might include breakfast of oatmeal, pork sausages, fried potatoes, bread and butter and coffee; lunch of roast beef, baked potatoes, bread and butter, cornstarch pudding and coffee; and dinner of beef stew, corn bread, Karo syrup, prunes, and tea.
How did the Germans survive hyperinflation?
The hyperinflation was over, and Germany was back on a gold standard system. The Rentenbank apparently held no gold bullion. Instead, the bank held mostly debt, in the form of mortgages on property and bonds on German industry.
What was the basis of Adolf Hitler’s ideas?
What was the basis of Adolf Hitler’s ideas? Failure in school and traveled to Vienna to become an artist. Was rejected and here he developed his basic political ideas. Ideas were racism, especially anti-Semitism.
Why did Potatoes replace turnips?
The government also worked to combat cereal shortages by making bread baked with potato. At the rise of a potato famine in 1916, a German culinary staple, the government substituted the item with turnips hoping to make up the difference.
Who benefited from hyperinflation in Germany?
Hyperinflation winners Borrowers, such as businessmen, landowners and those with mortgages, found they were able to pay back their loans easily with worthless money. People on wages were relatively safe, because they renegotiated their wages every day.