Events leading up to the Armistice PRESENTATION NOTES Armistice: a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to peace negotiations January, 1918 Wilson

lson puts forward Fourteen Points, originally rejected by the German government By October, the war had deteriorated for the Germans to such an extent that the Reich called for an armistice based on Wilsons Points Wilson believed the FP would soften the post-war peace conferences and that the Germans would be treated with consideration and respect by the allies but later events proved that he was seriously disillusioned as the British and French attitudes towards the Germans had shifted and hardened August Hundred Days Offensive (lasted until 11 Nov) Final effort from both sides allied victories broke through the German front line and forced them to retreat back from the land they had previously gained On top of the exhaustion from the Spring Offensive, 100 Days Offensive caused a huge decline in German military morale

September Realising defeat was near, Ludendorff and von Hindenburg sought Kaisers permission to begin peace negotiations Ludendorff knew Wilson was a moderate man who would offer fair peace terms expected him to be more lenient than the British/French

Prince Maximillian of Baden appointed as new German Chancellor immediately wrote to Wilson Prince Max understood that the country was on the brink of collapse and knew that there would be revolution on the home front if peace didnt come soon neither sides wanted that

While Wilson and the allies were negotiating an armistice, revolution broke out in the navy eventually spread throughout Germany USA imposed the condition that terms and implementation of the armistice would be determined by the allies, without any German input. Ludendorff believed this would lead to an unconditional surrender and proposed to continue the war. He was refused which led to his resignation. Terms of the Armistice:

1. Germany was to evacuate immediately all occupied territory and German troops were to withdraw behind a line of the frontiers of August 1914. Germany was to hand back Alsace Lorraine to France. Allied soldiers could enter these territories without hindrance. 2. The west bank of the Rhine River was to be evacuated and a neutral zone was to be established on the east bank. 3. Vast quantities of war material were to be surrendered to the Allies. 4. All Allied prisoners were to be repatriated, without immediate Allied reciprocity with regard to German prisoners. 5. All German submarines were to be surrendered; but the Allied blockade would continue.

6. Treaties which Germany had signed during the war, such as Brest-Litovsk, were declared null and void. 7. The Germans were to pay 'reparations for damage done'. This was to include all valuables seized from the invaded territories. 6 7 Nov Prince Max discusses Armistice Mutinies continue to spread to more naval ports sailors from Kiel took over dozens of ports, rallying the workers, joining forces with local garrisons across the country and seizing control in the name of the people Wilhemshaven: hundreds if sailors from the naval base had gathered for a protest march through town Officers made no attempt to stop protesters and even cheered the sailors on Total social uprising had broken out and the political and military leaders had lost control of the contry

8 Nov German Armistice Commission meet French in a railway car near the Compiegne forest to discuss armistice 9 Nov Wilhelm told he no longer had support of the army or the people. Resigns. Prince Max abdicates and a provisional government is established by Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Social Democratic Party. Germany becomes a republic. Opposition on the home front: Initially, the German reaction to the outbreak of the war mirrored that of the rest of Europe; widespread enthusiasm. A rapid, exciting victory was expected and the government did its best to convince the German people of the justice of their cause. However war-weariness began to develop more quickly and stronger than in Britain as a result of the longevity of the war that was supposed to be over in a few months, the endless casualties, and the apparent futility of the whole thing. There were shortages of almost everything and the quality of goods decreased as did working conditions. The Germans lacked a Lloyd George figure who understood the necessity of creating a genuine partnership between the state and the unions. The growing discontent soon became apparent in the German press, despite the governments attempts of censorship, and by the second half of 1918, large-scale opposition was rampant. Prolonged fighting while Germany held off allied armies would have lasted well through the winter. The mud and rain was slowing the Allies advance. The allied left wing workers groups would also think twice before accepting a prolonged war. Only Wilsons promise of a new world order, as represented by the Fourteen Points, had rallied domestic opinion in France and Britain. The allied left would have asked to what purpose was Germany being forced to accept unconditional surrender. For Britain, the prospect of a negotiated peace settlement was a major consideration for ending the War through the armistice.