The German Revolution (1918-19)

Berlin was in complete chaos during November 1918. Rioters flooded the streets, some gathering outside the Reichstag whilst others grabbed weapons and seized control of parts of the city. Meanwhile, Kaiser Wilhelm II was stuck 700km away at army headquarters in Spa, completely cut off from the mayhem.

On 9th November, the Kaiser's own ministers begged him to abdicate, insisting it was the only way to restore order in Germany. When Wilhelm II refused, General Wilhelm Groener delivered the killer blow - he told the Kaiser that even the army had abandoned him. With no support left, Kaiser Wilhelm II had no choice but to abdicate.

The same day brought dramatic political theatre. Phillip Scheidemann from the Social Democratic Party heard that armed communist rioters were about to declare their own government in Berlin. Racing to an open window of the Reichstag, he shouted to the crowds below that the Kaiser was gone and proclaimed a new German Republic. The Kaiser's chancellor, Max Von Baden, handed power over to Friederich Ebert, and by the early hours of 10th November, Wilhelm II had fled into exile in Holland.

Key Point: The Kaiser's abdication happened because he lost support from both his ministers and the army - without them, he was powerless to stop the revolution.

Ebert moved quickly to establish control. He struck a deal with General Groener to keep the army working with the new government against communist threats. The old Reichstag was suspended, and Ebert created the Council of People's Representatives - six moderate politicians who would run Germany temporarily until a proper constitution could be written. Their first major decision came on 11th November 1918, when Ebert's representative Matthias Erzberger signed the armistice, formally ending World War One for Germany.