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1918 in Germany

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The following is a list of events of the year 1918 in Germany.

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1918 saw the continuation of World War I into its fourth year, already causing massive strain to the German home front. In late January, strikes across German cities saw armament workers walk off the job for a week. As consequence, the Imperial Government arrested strike organisers. With the withdrawal of Soviet Russia from the war in March, the German army began preparing for a massive offensive on the Western Front. The Spring Offensive, however, failed. The war deteriorated in September for the Central Powers with the withdrawal of Bulgaria, forcing Germany's military leaders - Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg - to accept Germany's defeat and convince Kaiser Wilhelm II to begin seeking peace. A liberal government headed by Prince Maximilian of Baden was appointed in October.

In late October and early November, a mutiny by sailors in Kiel caused the spread of Workers' and Soldiers' Councils across Germany. Power was handed over the Social Democratic Party (SPD), headed by Friedrich Ebert, who declared Germany a republic on November 9 - bringing an end to the German Empire and German monarchies. On November 11, Germany signed an armistice with the Allies, thereby ending World War I. The last two months of the year were unstable for the new republic, directly leading to the political chaos of 1919.

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Incumbents

National level

Head of State

  • KaiserWilhelm II, abdicated 9 November
  • Republic (from 9 November) – vacant

Head of Government

State level

More information Monarchs and Colonial Governors ...
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Events

January

  • 30 January - Armament workers resume work in Bavarian cities except Munich, whose workers went on strike on January 31.[1]

February

  • 1 February - USDP representatives in Bavaria, including Kurt Eisner, are arrested for their involvement in the Januarstreik.[1]
  • 3 February - The Action Committee of the Januarstreik terminates the strike ahead of the government's February 4 deadline.[2]

September

October

  • Wilhelm II appoints Max von Baden Chancellor of Germany.
  • 4 October - Wilhelm II forms a new more liberal government to sue for peace.
  • 28 October - Kiel Mutiny: sailors at Kiel mutiny against naval orders to launce a final attack on the British navy. The mutiny's leaders are arrested.[4]
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November 11: Signatories to the Armistice with Germany (Compiègne), ending WWI, pose outside Marshal Foch's railway carriage

November

December

  • 28 December - The USDP leaves its coalition with the governing MSPD due to disagreements on how to restructure the army.[4]
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Born

Deaths

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

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References

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