Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:22:20-2:22:34

Estimating deaths from the blockade of Germany

Mortality from the British blockade is uncertain but not unknowable, with several estimates available in the scholarship.

Blockade Of GermanyCivilian CasualtiesEconomic WarfareNaval BooksWorld War I
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Why do we not know how many people died because of the British blockade of Germany in World War I?

Short answer

We do have several estimates, and Steve R. Dunn's Blockade provides a useful treatment of them.

Notes

Historians have several estimates for deaths caused by the blockade of Germany. The problem is evaluating their ranges and methods rather than facing a total absence of evidence. Steve R. Dunn's Blockade is recommended for a fuller treatment. Disagreement among estimates should not be confused with having no historical knowledge at all.