September To October 1918 Flashcards
Who knew from September that Germany was on the brink of losing the war?
Lundendorff
The forces on which front retreated to Berlin?
Western front
Who was negotiating peace terms?
Allies
Who asked allies for an armistice?
Lundendorff
What is an armistice?
Temporary ceasefire
Who made the 14 point plan?
Woodrow Wilson
What were some of the terms of the 14 point plan?
Return Alsace Lorrain to France
Establish League of Nations
Self determination (democracy)
General disarmament
What was the most important part of the 14 point plan?
Self determination
Why wouldn’t Germany fully agree with the 14 point plan?
Kaiser in power, autocratic political system
What did lundendorff agree to in terms of the 14 point plan?
Partial democratisation
What was the nickname of the October reforms?
Revolution from above
Who was made chancellor (political ruler)?
Prince Max of Baden
What was chancellor responsible for?
Reichstag
What controlled the armed forces?
A civil government
Why were the October reforms called a revolution from above?
They were done by the elites, not by the public or the government
Who was still in power which was not according to Wilson’s plan?
The kaiser
Why were the October reforms important?
They were a major political transformation
Who was the peace note between?
Max of Baden to Woodrow Wilson
What was said in the peace note?
Mentioned all the changed happening to Germanys political system, and asked for an armistice
When was the peace note sent?
3rd October 1918
How long did Wilson wait to reply to the peace note and why?
3 weeks to make sure the changes actually took place
How did Wilson reply to the peace note?
Said there could be an armistice if Germany evacuated occupied land, they ended submarine warfare, and they created a fully democratic political system which meant there would be no kaiser
What was germanys response to Wilson’s reply to the peace note?
Lundendorff refused, said he wanted one last military effort, however couldn’t get support for this, so he reigned and fled to Sweden, therefore making the reforms a failure
What was the impact of the peace note on German people?
Low morale (leader fled, know they’re losing the war)
No respect for Kaiser or leaders
No longer prepared for food problems (low, expensive)
What was the impact of the peace note on soldiers and sailors? (More important)
No respect for officers
“Kaiser is a scoundrel”
Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, cruisers refuse to obey orders and won’t attack British in the channel
