The End Grows Near - German Mutiny

During the last stages of the war, the British army undertook a number of offensives to limit pressure on the French and to win the war. Unfortunately, lessons learned during the early part of the war were not utilized. Massive losses would still be incurred during these offensives. Battles like Passchendale would continue to see the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of men for little or no gain.

Revolution in Germany

The first signs of the war possibly ending came not on the battlefield, but on the home front. German civilians were paying a high price for their sacrifice of food and materials to the war effort. Hundreds of civilians began dieing due to malnutrition and the outbreak of Spanish influenza.

As small-scale protests and riots against the war began to occur in various cities, the German government realized that defeat might not be avoided. Even elements within the German Army were considering the possibility of ending the war. General Ludendorff prepared a letter to American President Woodrow Wilson to ask for an armistice (a cease fire or end to the fighting). Ludendorff believed that Wilson would be fair to Germany because of his ideas on the future of European politics.

While Ludendorff was sending a letter to Wilson to discuss an armistice, the German Navy prepared for a last ditch effort at sea. The German High Seas Fleet was ordered to break the naval blockade that the British had imposed during the first months of the war. It was the blockade that was presently strangling the civilian population of Germany.

The order to face the massive British Navy was not welcomed by the High Seas Fleet. They believed that the war was already lost and they were being sent to their deaths. As a result, the sailors refused to put to sea and seized control of their ships. The mutiny began at the naval base in Kiel, but soon spread ashore. Once news of riots and mutiny in Kiel were heard, riots in towns all over Germany began. Revolution swept through Germany causing panic in government and the army.

The army was quick to react and took matters into their own hands. Two politicians were dispatched to France to sign an armistice. Another politician was sent to the Kaiser, William II, to tell him that they would not take orders from him (they basically kicked him out as King of Germany). That same day Kaiser William II left Germany for Holland never to return. In his place as ruler of Germany a Republic (with elected officials) was created to replace the monarchy (rule by a king or queen that are not elected).

The door was open to bring the slaughter of the last four years to an end.