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'''Erich Friedrich Wilhelm Ludendorff''' (9 April 1865 – 20 December 1937) was a general and the top German policymaker during the last two years of [[World War I]]. He later developed the "stab in the back" theory that blamed Jews for defeat and served as figurehead for the Nazi [[Beer Hall Putsch]] of 1923.

'''Erich Friedrich Wilhelm Ludendorff''' (9 April 1865 – 20 December 1937) was a general and the top German policymaker during the last two years of [[World War I]]. He later developed the "stab in the back" theory that blamed Jews for defeat and served as figurehead for the Nazi [[Beer Hall Putsch]] of 1923.

Ludendorff joined the Army's General Staff in 1894. He was promoted to head of 2nd Division (mobilization) in 1908. In this position, he played a major role in the development of the so-called Schlieffen Plan to invade France through Belgium. He energetically promoted the Army Bill of 1913 and pushed it through the Reichstag. This bill provided for a major expansion of the army and is viewed as final preparation for [[World War I]]. The Schlieffen Plan was put into operation in August 1914 when the war broke out.

Ludendorff joined the Army's General Staff in 1894. He was promoted to head of 2nd Division (mobilization) in 1908. In this position, he played a major role in the development of the so-called Schlieffen Plan to invade France through Belgium. He energetically promoted the Army Bill of 1913 and pushed it through the Reichstag. This bill provided for a major expansion of the army and is viewed as final preparation for [[World War I]]. The Schlieffen Plan was put into operation in August 1914 when the war broke out. During the war, Ludendorff also created War Socialism, which had mandated "labor batallions" composed of tens and thousands of Berliners, which ultimately acted as an inspiration for Lenin's "War Communism".

As chief of staff for General [[Paul von Hindenburg]], Ludendorff led German forces to victory over the Russians in the battles of [[Battle of Tannenberg|Tannenberg]] and [[Masurian Lakes]]. He and Hindenburg were named the top German commanders in August 1916. By 1917, Ludendorff was the most powerful man in the German government. H.L Mencken, a war reporter at this time, wrote:

As chief of staff for General [[Paul von Hindenburg]], Ludendorff led German forces to victory over the Russians in the battles of [[Battle of Tannenberg|Tannenberg]] and [[Masurian Lakes]]. He and Hindenburg were named the top German commanders in August 1916. By 1917, Ludendorff was the most powerful man in the German government. H.L Mencken, a war reporter at this time, wrote: