Chapter 274: The Kaiser abdicates

The flu virus that has swept the world is a big headache for governments, and the most troublesome is for the countries that are at war.

If you had to choose one of the most uncomfortable countries among the participating countries, it would be Germany. Faced with the impact of the Kiel sailors' uprising and the double impact of the flu virus, the German government was practically unable to maintain the situation.

In fact, Germany may still be able to resist the Allies militarily for the time being (its troops have now retreated to the German-French border, central Belgium). But the population despaired of years of starvation and the prospect of victory. Moreover, the propaganda used by the Entente to demoralize the German people also played a large role.

In much of the Entente's propaganda, they promised not to punish Germany too harshly if it surrendered. Rather, the people, who could not bear the hunger, cold and frustration, had great expectations for the words of the Entente.

So these people, who are dominated by emotions, think about why they can't end this hopeless war. The left-wing parties, which had been advocating an armistice, enjoyed the support of a large part of the population. And relying on the support of these people, these parties have been sufficiently strengthened during this time.

And after the uprising of the Kiel sailors, there were armed uprisings in Hamburg, Bremen, Leipzig, Munich and other places, which is not difficult to understand. In reference to the possible suppression of the army and the Russian Revolution, these insurgents also established Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.

And the most crucial uprising came from the capital, Berlin. On 8 September, at the call of the Spartacists (the predecessor of the German Communist Party), workers and soldiers staged a general strike and armed uprising in Berlin. On the 9th, the Berlin workers, together with the soldiers, occupied the police headquarters, the telegraph office, the Reichstag, other important institutions and barracks. Carl Liebne, the leader of the Spartak League, who led the uprising, proclaimed the "Free Socialist Republic" on the balcony of the palace. Together with Rosa Luxemburg, he founded the newspaper "Red Flag", which raised the slogan of the struggle for the establishment of a "united German socialist republic".

The uprising in Berlin dealt the heaviest blow to Wilhelm II, who was at the headquarters of the Sparder Army in Belgium. In the face of a nationwide uprising, the German leadership knew that an armistice was necessary.

However, the people's grievances against the current government must be resolved by someone who comes to power. The only candidate who can be accepted by the public is the leader of the Social Democrats, Friedrich Ebert, who alone can control the current turmoil in Germany.

Friedrich Ebert was born in Heidelberg on 4 February 1871 to a tailor father who spent his early years as a saddle maker and a saddle maker. He joined the German Social Democratic Party in 1891. In 1893 he became editor-in-chief of the Bremer National newspaper. In 1905 he was appointed secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the German Social Democratic Party.

He was a very persuasive orator. Believing in trade unionism, he did not have much interest in Marx's ideological theory, but paid more attention to the improvement of the actual life of the workers, as well as the improvement of their social status and moral concepts. So he was a moderate leader of the Social Democrats, who had always been committed to practical work and avoided theoretical disputes.

His outstanding work helped him to become chairman of the German Social Democratic Party after the death of his former chairman, A. Bebel, in 1913. Under his leadership, the Democratic Party's status will be significantly enhanced. Therefore, he is also the most suitable replacement for Germany at the moment.

However, Albert's promise to re-establish the coalition government was also conditional, and first of all, Germany needed the understanding of the Entente. In addition, the Kaiser must abdicate and revoke the title of German Kaiser, because the German Empire will be changed to a republic. In the face of Albert's demands, the German leadership, frightened by the huge wave of uprisings in the country, accepted it all.

After finding a replacement for the government, in order to get the Entente to agree to Germany's request for an armistice, the chief of the chief of staff, Ludendorff, resigned and was replaced by Wilhelm Greener.

And General Grener, having taken over the post of Chief of the General Staff, proposed to Kaiser Wilhelm II. In order to ensure that the Emperor would not be judged by the Entente, it was best to seek refuge in a neutral country. At present, the most suitable country is the Netherlands, which has always maintained neutrality. Because he and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands are related, and the two are better.

Moreover, Grener assured the Kaiser that under the command of Field Marshal Hindenburg, the German army would retreat to Germany without suppressing the revolution. Wilhelm II saw exemplary soldiers who firmly supported the emperor, and Field Marshal Hindenburg also took a tacit attitude towards this. I feel like I'm gone. Wilhelm II then drafted his own edict of abdication at the headquarters of the Spad Army.

Its full text is as follows; I permanently renounce all power as King of the Kingdom of Prussia and as Emperor of Germany. At the same time I remove from duty all civil servants of the German Empire and Prussia, all officers, sergeants, naval units, the Prussian Army, and all military units which have sworn allegiance to me as Emperor. I hope that they will be able to help those who hold real power in Germany to protect the German people against the looming dangers of anarchy, hunger, and foreign domination until a new order is established in the German Reich.

After announcing his abdication to the nation, Wilhelm II and his family immediately applied for asylum in the Netherlands. The Dutch government, which has always maintained neutrality, accepted the application, and William's family rushed to Amsterdam non-stop. Here, in order to provide a place for Wilhelm II, Queen Wilhelmina gave him a manor in Duolun. And for the rest of his life, Wilhelm II will live here.

The Entente gave positive comments on the revolt in Germany that forced Kaiser Wilhelm II to abdicate. In The Times, the Kaiser's abdication was commented on as the fact that this megalomaniac, the madman of war, had finally rolled down from his evil throne and gave Germany a new lease of life. The German people now know at last that what has happened to them is what the culprit has given them, and that the world will now return to peace.

When Eder heard the news of the Kaiser's abdication, he called the chief of the guard: "Send 10 million lei to the Kaiser in the Netherlands."

"I heard that the German government has not yet confiscated the royal property, and they should not be short of funds. And if you send it like this, will they accept it? ”

Eder sighed and replied, "I know they are not short of funds, but Uncle William and I are both members of the Hohenzollern family, although they are the main line, and we are the side branches. This represents my heart, and they will accept it. ”

Edel's words dispelled the doubts of the chief of the guard, and he immediately said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will have someone send it to them." ”

"Go ahead."

After seeing off his chief guard, Edel sighed. "Next, it's time for Germany to negotiate an armistice. Hey, Germany, are you ready for defeat? ”