Abdication of the Kaiser

October Reforms: these reforms ended the Kaiser's autocratic rule

Prince Max of Baden was made the Chancellor - he was in charge of the Reichstag and establishing new governments
Armed forces were put under control of the civil government - this led to a revolution from above which failed and led to the revolution from below.

The Peace Note: 3 October - Prince Max wrote to President Wilson asking for an armistice. Wilson replied demanding Germany should evacuate all occupied territory, call an end to submarine warfare and fully democratise its political system.

Ludendorff persuaded the Kaiser to give up power over the army and navy to the Reichstag. This is the revolution from above and it failed because it didn't make any changes.

- This was a shattering blow to the morale of Germany. The Peace Note suggested that Germany lost the war. It undermined German citizens' respect for the Kaiser, and many began to revolt against him. This is the revolution from below.

3 November 1918 - naval mutiny in Kiel. (A revolt by soldiers/sailors against their officers)

8 November - Bavarian monarchy deposed. This shows Prince Max had lost control over the situation.

9 November- SPD calls workers to go on General Strike to force Kaiser to abdicate.

They threatened to withdraw from Max's government unless he abdicated. Max knew he couldn't do without the SPD and the Kaiser refused to abdicate. A statement was released by Max that the Emperor had abdicated.

Max resigns and passes chancellorship on to Ebert (leader of SPD)

The turning point was the army turning on the Kaiser. Groener told Kaiser the army would not fight for him. At this point, he had no choice but to abdicate.

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Germany

The early years of Weimar, 1918 - 1924