Erich Ludendorff was a German general during World War I, known for his significant role in military strategy. He was a key figure in the German Army and played a crucial part in the Spring Offensive of 1918, which aimed to secure victory for Germany before American forces could fully arrive. After the war, Ludendorff became involved in politics and supported the German nationalist movement. He was a proponent of the stab-in-the-back myth, which falsely claimed that Germany lost the war due to betrayal from civilians and politicians rather than military defeat. His legacy remains controversial in German history.