DBQ 3 In August 4, 1914, the German Reichstag approved the mobilization of World War I and soon declared Burgfrieden, or civil peace. This peace was nationwide and meant that all conflicts within the nation should be set aside for the duration of the war. The initiation brought along an abundance of views and opinions, all of which were changing as the war progressed from 1914 to 1918. At first, the nation was primarily in support of government and their decisions of mobilizing the war and civil peace. As time passed, however, civilians started to lose faith in their efforts and were growing tiresome. By 1918, faith had been lost causing Germany to surrender. German emperor, Wilhelm II, delivered a speech days after Burgfrieden was declared
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The government, however, still supported efforts. Oskar Schmitz, a member of the Pan-German League, claimed that Germany's strength was their unity and then claimed that other opinions are not allowed that would destroy this unity (Document 6). At first, supporting the war seemed to be a choice, but then became a must; people were not allowed to speak out against the war. The frustration was growing to those participating in the war, a German soldier in the trenches expresses his concern over the rising prices and food shortages. He further elaborates his anger suggesting “...turncoats are exploiting our inhuman sacrifices to fill their sacks with gold” (Document 7). This soldier is accusing the British of stealing from their families back in Germany for their personal gain, this shows the effects the war was having on civilians. In continuation, Evelyn Blücher von Wahlstatt, wife of German prince, wrote in her personal diary that the state that made citizens fight can no longer provide decent food, nor treat the men fighting as humans, but only as weapons (Document 8). Women were marching in the streets for food to feed the starving. Evelyn switches the blame on the government, in contrast to the soldier who blamed the British for their misfortunes, showing the growing divide and views. In addition, this entry was unbiased as it came straight from her diary making it a justifiable source of what was truly going on to the nation. Support for civil peace was rapidly decreasing along with the frustration and repercussions of the
The government, however, still supported efforts. Oskar Schmitz, a member of the Pan-German League, claimed that Germany's strength was their unity and then claimed that other opinions are not allowed that would destroy this unity (Document 6). At first, supporting the war seemed to be a choice, but then became a must; people were not allowed to speak out against the war. The frustration was growing to those participating in the war, a German soldier in the trenches expresses his concern over the rising prices and food shortages. He further elaborates his anger suggesting “...turncoats are exploiting our inhuman sacrifices to fill their sacks with gold” (Document 7). This soldier is accusing the British of stealing from their families back in Germany for their personal gain, this shows the effects the war was having on civilians. In continuation, Evelyn Blücher von Wahlstatt, wife of German prince, wrote in her personal diary that the state that made citizens fight can no longer provide decent food, nor treat the men fighting as humans, but only as weapons (Document 8). Women were marching in the streets for food to feed the starving. Evelyn switches the blame on the government, in contrast to the soldier who blamed the British for their misfortunes, showing the growing divide and views. In addition, this entry was unbiased as it came straight from her diary making it a justifiable source of what was truly going on to the nation. Support for civil peace was rapidly decreasing along with the frustration and repercussions of the