When Russia pulled out of the war in early 1918, why did Germany almost end up winning WWI?

1 Answer
Jun 5, 2018

Probably because she could move soldiers and resources to face her enemies in the west that before were tied in the east.

Explanation:

It is not surprising that the Russian Revolution was actually helped by the Germans that managed to "smuggle" its chief leader, Lenin, into Russia to help organize and lead the Revolution.

The Germans wanted Russia out of the war to be able to commit all of her forces to the west without fear of being attacked from the east.
The Russian army was not operating very well, taking huge amounts of casualties and losses, but was a formidable opponent anyway, capable of taking extreme punishment without flinching and posing a direct threat to Germany eastern borders.

It didn't work completely (although the Germans had some major successes in Italy and in operation Saint Michael) because the internal situation in Germany was too deteriorated (shortage of food and political unrest) having also to cope with the devastation of her major ally, Austria-Hungary.