Germany's Surrender from the First World War (AQA GCSE History)

Germany's Surrender from the First World War - Timeline & Summary

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Germany’s exit from the First World War was caused by a mix of military defeat, the British naval blockade and problems at home. The British naval blockade had a devastating effect, cutting off supplies of food and materials to Germany. This led to severe shortages, with many people starving and struggling to survive.

The hardships of war caused growing anger and unrest among the German people. Strikes, riots, and protests broke out, as workers and soldiers demanded an end to the fighting. The suffering also made people lose faith in Kaiser Wilhelm II, who they blamed for Germany’s defeat and their hardships. By late 1918, Germany’s army was in retreat, morale was low, and the High Command knew they couldn’t win.

Under pressure from both military leaders and the public, the Kaiser was forced to abdicate on 9th November 1918. Two days later, on 11th November, Germany signed an armistice with the Allies, officially ending the war.

The impact of the British naval blockade on Germany

• In 1914, Britain established a naval blockade to prevent food, supplies and resources from getting into Germany

• This blockade had a devastating effect on Germany, which impacted:

  • the war effort

  • German morale

  • Germany's ability to win the war

• The blockade caused mass shortages of food in Germany

  • Rationing was introduced in 1915

  • By 1916, Germans were unable to buy cheese, butter and eggs

    • As products became scarce, prices increased

  • Between 1916 and 1917, there was a poor harvest in Germany and Germans were forced to eat turnips

    • This was known as the 'Turnip Winter'

• The British naval blockade killed approximately 425,000 Germans

• The blockade ended in 1919, after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles

Abdication of the Kaiser

Protests and riots in Germany

• From 1915, protests and riots occurred in Germany

  • They were due to:

    • the war effort

    • food shortages

    • the people's frustration with the German government

    • the actions of the Kaiser

• In 1916, 10,000 workers protested in Berlin's city centre calling for the end of the war and the government

• Resentment towards the Kaiser was growing in Germany, and he was starting to lose control

The Kiel Mutiny

• On 28th October 1918, German sailors in Kiel started a mutiny

• The German sailors in Keil were ordered to attack British ships

  • The sailors refused to follow orders as they felt outnumbered

• On 3rd November, the sailors in Kiel mutinied

  • Eight soldiers were shot and killed

  • By 4th November, around 40,000 sailors, soldiers and workers took control of Kiel

• News of this mutiny spread across Germany

  • Sailors in nearby areas also refused to attack British ships

    • Workers in nearby towns supported the sailors

    • Soldiers who were ordered to put down the mutiny and joined them

• Those involved in the community started to create special workers' councils in local towns and cities across Germany

  • These included Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne

• The Kaiser was losing control over Germany and the support of his army generals

The Abdication of the Kaiser

• On 9th November 1918, the Kaiser abdicated the German throne

  • The Kaiser had lost control over the German people and the army

  • The Kaiser secretly left Germany and went to Holland

• Once the Kaiser abdicated, Fredrich Ebert, the leader of Germany's biggest political party (the SPD) became the temporary leader of Germany

Armistice of the First World War

• Ebert ordered a group of German representatives to negotiate the armistice with the Allies

• The negotiations were led by the Allied Commander-in-Chief, General Ferdinand Foch

  • They took place in a train carriage in northern France

  • Germany hoped to have a fair deal however, the French wanted Germany to suffer

• The terms of the armistice were harsh on Germany

  • Germany was forced to sign the armistice or the fighting would continue

• The terms of the armistice agreed that:

  • all fighting should stop within six hours

  • all land occupied by Germany in Belgium, France and Luxemburg was to be evacuated within 15 days

  • German soldiers had to leave Romania, Turkey and Austria-Hungary

  • the British naval blockade would continue

  • Germany was to give the Allies:

    • six battlecruisers

    • two battleships

    • eight cruisers

    • submarines

    • railway trains

    • railway trucks

    • railway carriages

  • Germany would have to pay reparations to the Allies

• The armistice was signed at 5:10 am on 11th November 1918

  • The war ended on 11 am 11th November 1918