Could Kaiser Germany have conquered the world?

[DukeofSerbia]

Germany didn't stand a chance against Russia:

for all, let us remember that since that war broke out the population of Russia (due to Soviet regimes, and both World Wars) didn't actually grow much.

I've seen figures telling that a good 200 milion people lived in the Russian empire at that time about 4 times as much as in Germany in those days.

That just tells the whole story of the German Chance for Power: initially their Industrialized nation would have some advantage from a larger an more efficient economy system compared to the largely agricultural Russians.

But just as the Americans eventually couldn't compete with the Chinese 'Volunteers' in the Korean War, the Germans couldn't subdue a four times larger nation. By the time they had finally mangaged to start the October Revolution, by funding Lenin and his comrades, they had been almost broken in this way that the German economy was nearly exhausted.

This can be seen in the larger Germand death rates during the first influenza epidemia: these indicate that the German soldiers were less equiped and fed compared to the other front wich suffererd considerable less from the plague. The two front War had exhausted them completely, and they were forced to pay 4,5 times the world gold reserves, about 132 bilion golden DMark (Versailles).

I agree almost 100%.

The main problem of Germany was weak Austria-Hungary.

[AntiochusIII]

Erm, in World War I it was the Russians who didn't stand a chance against Germany...

[Avicenna]

A few corrections:

The Germans DID want an Empire, one that could rival Britain's or France's.

Salazar: Pretty unusual if Germany's objective was to help AH against Serbia and Russia, but then chose to attack France, wouldn't you say?

Russia didn't stand a chance in the war. The incompetent fools of Russian officers just mucked the whole thing up. That's what you get if officers are given their positions on the basis of wealth as opposed to merit... I'm not saying militarily they couldn't face Germany, it was just that when you suffer defeat after defeat while your country is messed up, getting worse and you are all the way at the front line, and the people are protesting due to just about everything, something's bound to happen, and make it impossible to defeat Germany while retaining the country. Also, the Russians had to face the Austro-Hungarians as well.

[Salazar]

Actually, as DukeofSerbia said, france was allied with russia. And of course they wanted an Empire, but it's not like germany started that war, they were mostly interested in Colonies (of course they came a bit late with that idea, i mean every halfrespectable european state had some kind of colony somewhere on the planet)

[ChewieTobbacca]

On the topic of World War I not being really a big World War (as in WW2) - keep this in mind:

In World War I, there were five major and very old empires (along with other nations that also held colonial power such as France) involved in the fighting in Europe - the British, Ottoman, German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian empires. The war had a huge impact on the world since much of the world was divided either colonially or through spheres of influence by these powers (along with France and then the U.S.). The destruction of four of these empires distrupted world order to this very day.

And end my rant which wasn't really directed at anyone here, more of a rant against U.S. history classes who seem to skim over WW1 as though it were nothing more than the first salvo of WW2.

[Avicenna]

Actually, as DukeofSerbia said, france was allied with russia. And of course they wanted an Empire, but it's not like germany started that war, they were mostly interested in Colonies (of course they came a bit late with that idea, i mean every halfrespectable european state had some kind of colony somewhere on the planet)

Allies aren't obligated to help. The Italians were allies with the Austro-Hungarians and Germans at the beginning of WWI, but ended up joining the allied side. No, Germany wanted European domination, not some colonies elsewhere. Germany already had some colonies, unlike what you imply.

Germany didn't start the war on her own, no. But Germany did launch the Schlieffen Plan. Also, Germany's dreadnought-building race with Britain didn't help prevent the war either, both wanting naval domination. The war was began by all sides, making secret treaties, having imperial ambitions and building up of armies. Germany wasn't all innocent as you imply.

[Marshal Murat]

Also, just to throw this in,
Wasn't the Kaiser an unstable person, not mentally but politically, and had a very mercurial personality?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Also, just to throw this in,
Wasn't the Kaiser an unstable person, not mentally but politically, and had a very mercurial personality?

Darn tootin'! Loved England, felt threatened by England and Edward VII the most. Fired Bizmarck, backed Tirpitz' plan for a navy -- against the advice of Bizmarck and most of his "cabinet." Tried to break up the alliance of France and Russia -- but always treated Nicholas as an idiot (possibly true, but poor politics). Panicked over East Prussia despite being fully aware of the Schlieffen plan's goals and thrust. Threatened ambassadors from neighboring countries for no reason. Bit of an idiot vis-a-vis political skills, even for a regime not exactly renowned for foreign policy finesse.