Ep 2. Victory & Revolution

The First World War: The War To End All Wars season 1 episode 2, titled Victory & Revolution, explores the aftermath of the Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July to November 1916 and saw more than one million casualties. The episode delves into the political and social turmoil that erupted in both Germany and Russia, leading to revolutions that would drastically alter the course of the war.

The episode begins by examining the state of the German army after the staggering losses suffered at the Somme. By the end of the battle, German leadership was forced to confront the reality that they could not continue the war in the same way they had been fighting it. General Erich Ludendorff, a key figure in the German military, reflects on the challenges of warfare in the modern era and the toll it takes on soldiers.

As Germany struggled to regroup, Russia was experiencing a different kind of crisis. The country was already suffering from food shortages and had been mired in a costly war with Germany for several years. As more Russian soldiers were sent to the front lines, civilians began to demand an end to the conflict. In February 1917, mass protests erupted in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) and the Russian monarchy was overthrown.

The fall of the Russian monarchy had a profound impact on the rest of the war. Germany was now free to send troops from the Eastern Front to the Western Front, where they could launch a fresh offensive against the Allies. This development put pressure on the French army, which was already stretched thin and struggling to supply its troops.

Meanwhile, the episode also delves into the role of women in the war effort. In Britain, women had begun to take on jobs traditionally held by men, such as working in factories and on the front lines as nurses. The episode follows the story of one woman who joins the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and travels to France to support British troops.

As the episode draws to a close, the focus returns to Germany. The country had experienced a brief moment of hope and freedom after the fall of the monarchy, but that hope was short-lived. Internal divisions and political maneuvering resulted in the rise of a new authoritarian regime, led by General Ludendorff and his ally, General Paul von Hindenburg.

Overall, Victory & Revolution provides a comprehensive look at the various political and social forces that were at play during the First World War. The episode skillfully weaves together diverse threads to create a nuanced portrait of the conflict and its aftermath, demonstrating how the war transformed the societies and systems involved.