As the Germans realised the war was lost, they attempted to pursue peace negotiations with the Allies and in particular, with US President Woodrow Wilson.
The Kaiser and his Ministers were left in no doubt as to their position when President Wilson spoke, saying; ‘If the Allies have to deal with the present Monarchail autocracy or militarists they must demand, not peace negotaitions, but total surrender.’
On October 31st Turkey surrendered and signed an Armistice, on November 3rd, Austria followed suit. Germany now standing alone was in full retreat on a 100 mile front in France.
On November 7th the Germany navy mutinied at Kiel and Bolshevik style revolution started to spread throughout Germany and the United Socialists under Chancellor Ebert formed a government on the 9th, which paved the way for the Kaiser to abdicate and flee to Holland.
Ebert’s government concluded the terms of the Armistice at 5am on 11th November just as the Allies occupied Mons, where the first British shots had been fired in August 1914. Hostilities ceased at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
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