Map Series #30 The Famine of 1918

 

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Famine with the accompanying civilian deaths and civil disorder on the homefronts was a primary driving force behind the collapse of the Central Powers. The severe food shortages stemmed from multiple causes. 

1)The British Royal Navy’s blockade cut off essential food imports and agricultural fertilizers to Germany and Austria-Hungary.

2) Manpower shortages due to military conscription.

3) Crop failures, especially with potatoes that led to the Turnip Winter of 1916–1917.

4) Threats of revolution in both the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires as actually happened in Russia. (Russia's February 1917 Revolution began with food riots.)

Also, see our articles on The Food War (HERE)

Sources: Vox from data provided by "Food Guide for War Service at Home" and d-maps.com