Armistice - But Peace? I THE GREAT WAR Week 225

Summary

In the final days of World War I, Germany faced internal chaos and revolution as the Austro-Hungarian Empire signed an armistice. Romania re-entered the war, and German leadership grappled with mutinies and the Kaiser's uncertain future. The German delegation sought lenient terms from the Allies at Compiegne, but faced firm demands. The war's end was marked by the armistice on November 11th, with Germany agreeing to severe terms, including territorial evacuations and reparations. The last moments of fighting saw the death of Canadian private George Price, seconds before the armistice took effect. The Great War concluded with mixed emotions of relief and sorrow, marking the end of a devastating conflict.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Austro-Hungarian Empire signed an armistice, leaving Germany as the last standing Central Power.
• 🔥 A naval mutiny at Kiel sparked a full-blown German revolution.
• 🤝 German delegates went to France to negotiate an armistice.
• 🇷🇴 Romania gave an ultimatum to Field Marshall August von Mackensen to remove German troops.
• 🏰 The Kaiser's plan to lead the army against the revolution was deemed unfeasible by his advisors.
• 🚩 Several German cities, including major ports, were under the control of revolutionaries.
• 🛣️ The German army was unwilling to fight and lacked reserves to combat the revolution.
• 🛑 The Kaiser decided to go into exile in the Netherlands.
• 📉 Germany accepted harsh armistice terms, including the surrender of significant military assets.
• 🕒 The armistice was signed on November 11th, 1918, at 5:10 a.m., and hostilities ceased at 11:00 a.m.
• 🎉 The end of the war was celebrated worldwide, but the joy was tempered by the immense loss of life.

Q & A

What significant event is described as happening this week in the script?

The script describes the end of World War I, with the signing of the armistice and the events leading up to it.

Which empire signed an armistice, leaving Germany as the last man standing among the Central Powers?

The Austro-Hungarian Empire signed an armistice, leaving Germany as the last standing member of the Central Powers.

What was the significance of the naval mutiny at Kiel?

The naval mutiny at Kiel marked the beginning of the German revolution, which eventually led to the downfall of the German Empire.

What ultimatum did Romania give to Field Marshall August von Mackensen?

Romania gave an ultimatum to Field Marshall August von Mackensen to remove all German troops from Romania within 24 hours.

What was the Kaiser's plan to deal with the revolution according to the script?

The Kaiser planned to lead the army into Germany to put down the revolution, but was dissuaded by Quartermaster General Wilhelm Groener who informed him that the army would not follow his command.

How many German cities were mentioned to be flying the red Soviet flag?

Eleven German cities were mentioned to be flying the red Soviet flag.

What was the outcome of the armistice negotiations at Compiegne forest?

The armistice negotiations resulted in Germany agreeing to evacuate Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Alsace-Lorraine, surrender a significant portion of its military equipment, and accept the occupation of Western Germany by the Allies.

What was the final demand made by the Allies regarding submarines?

The Allies demanded that Germany hand over all of its submarines, as well as ten battleships, six battle cruisers, eight light cruisers, and fifty destroyers.

When was the armistice signed and what time did it come into effect?

The armistice was signed at 5:10 a.m. on the morning of November 11th, and it came into effect at 11:00 a.m.

Who is considered to be the last soldier to die in the active war according to the script?

Canadian private George Price is mentioned as being killed by a sniper at 10:58, just two minutes before the armistice came into effect.

What is the significance of the channel and the series mentioned in the script?

The channel and series refer to 'The Great War', a YouTube channel and series created by Indy Neidell that provides a week-by-week account of World War I, with the final episode marking the end of the war.

Outlines

00:00

🏳️‍🌈 The Fall of the Central Powers and the German Revolution

The script details the final days of World War I, focusing on the collapse of the Central Powers. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had signed an armistice, leaving Germany isolated. The Allies made significant advances in the West, cutting Germany's last lateral railway line. A naval mutiny at Kiel escalated into a full-scale revolution. German delegates were in France to negotiate an armistice. Romania issued an ultimatum to remove German troops and re-entered the war against Germany. Kaiser Wilhelm II, realizing the gravity of the situation, met with military officials to discuss options. It was clear that the military would not support him, and many cities had already fallen to revolutionaries. The Kaiser eventually decided to go into exile in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Matthias Erzberger was trying to negotiate lenient armistice terms with the Allies, who were not willing to compromise. The war continued, with the Americans advancing into Lorraine and the Canadians entering Mons.

05:00

📜 The Armistice Terms and the End of World War I

This paragraph describes the armistice negotiations and the terms that Germany was forced to accept. Germany agreed to evacuate occupied territories and return prisoners and deportees. They were to surrender a significant portion of their military equipment, including planes, artillery pieces, and machine guns. The Allies would occupy parts of Germany, and Germany would be required to deliver a large number of vehicles and train cars. Germany also had to agree to return to its 1914 borders and evacuate seaports. They were asked to hand over a large part of their navy, including submarines and battleships. Germany was also required to pay reparations for damages. The armistice was signed on November 11th, and hostilities were to cease at 11:00 a.m. Despite the signing, fighting continued into the morning, with some soldiers dying in the final hours of the war. The end of the war was celebrated globally, but the joy was tempered by the immense loss of life and the realization of the war's devastating impact.

10:03

🎬 The Conclusion of 'The Great War' Series

The speaker, Indy Neidell, reflects on the completion of the 'The Great War' series, which has been a significant and challenging endeavor. He expresses gratitude to the viewers for their support over the years and acknowledges the contributions of the many experts and team members who have made the series possible. The series has been a labor of love, with Neidell researching, writing, and presenting the episodes himself. He thanks the production team, including those who have been with the project since its inception and those who have contributed in various ways. The series will continue with a series of epilogues and specials, but this marks the end of the regular episodes that have followed the events of the war in real time. Neidell signs off with a tribute to the end of the war and the series.

Keywords

💡Armistice

An armistice is a formal agreement for the cessation of hostilities between warring parties. In the context of the video, it refers to the end of World War I, where Germany signed an armistice with the Allies, marking the end of the war. The script mentions 'Last week what was left of the Austro-Hungarian Empire signed an armistice' and 'German delegates have gone to France to hopefully sign an armistice of their own', indicating the significance of the armistice in ending the conflict.

💡Central Powers

The Central Powers was a coalition of countries that fought against the Allies during World War I, consisting mainly of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The script indicates the end of the Central Powers' resistance with 'leaving Germany as the last man standing, of the Central Powers', highlighting Germany's isolation as its allies succumb to the pressure of war.

💡Naval Mutiny at Kiel

A naval mutiny refers to a rebellion or refusal to obey orders by sailors against their officers. The script mentions 'a Naval mutiny at Kiel has turned into a full-blown German revolution', illustrating the internal turmoil within Germany that contributed to the end of the war and the eventual collapse of the German Empire.

💡Red Soviet Flag

The Red Soviet Flag symbolizes communism or socialist revolution. In the script, 'There were now 11 German cities flying the red Soviet flag' indicates the spread of socialist and communist ideologies within Germany, reflecting the political upheaval and the influence of the Russian Revolution on Germany during this period.

💡Revolution

A revolution is a fundamental and often violent change in the political order and social structure of a country. The script describes 'German revolution' and the Kaiser's concern over 'the revolution', showing the internal conflict and the breakdown of the old order that paralleled the military defeat in World War I.

💡Compiegne Forest

Compiegne Forest is the location in France where the Armistice ending World War I was signed. The script states 'German armistice negotiators reached Compiegne forest in France', emphasizing the historical significance of this place as the site where the war officially ended.

💡Kaiser

The Kaiser was the title of the German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling from 1871 to 1918. The script discusses the Kaiser's meetings and decisions, such as 'He met Admiral von Hinten at 11:00 a.m', and his eventual realization of the military's disloyalty and his own powerlessness, leading to his abdication.

💡Spartacist Uprising

The Spartacist Uprising was a socialist and communist revolt in Germany at the end of World War I. The script mentions 'the Spartacist under Karl Liebknecht', indicating the influence of this radical political group in the German revolution and the chaos that ensued as the war ended.

💡Reichstag

The Reichstag was the legislative body of the German Empire and later the Weimar Republic. The script refers to 'a Socialist leader named Philipp Scheidemann had proclaimed a Socialist Republic from the Reichstag', showing how the political landscape of Germany was changing dramatically with the end of the war.

💡Allied Supreme Commander

The Allied Supreme Commander was the highest-ranking officer of the Allied forces during World War I. The script mentions 'Allied supreme commander Ferdinand Foch', highlighting his role in negotiating the armistice terms and his refusal to cease hostilities until the armistice was signed.

💡Reparations

Reparations are compensations paid for wartime damages. The script discusses 'Germany will be required to pay reparations for damages done in Belgium and northern France', illustrating the economic consequences Germany faced after the war and the burden it placed on the country.

Highlights

The Austro-Hungarian Empire signed an armistice, leaving Germany as the last standing Central Power.

Allies advanced in the West, cutting Germany's last lateral railway line.

A naval mutiny at Kiel sparked a German revolution.

German delegates went to France to sign an armistice.

Romania gave an ultimatum to Field Marshall August von Mackensen to remove German troops.

Romania resumed arms against Germany on November 10th.

The Kaiser's meeting with Admiral von Hinten where he discussed his future.

Eleven German cities were flying the red Soviet flag, indicating the spread of revolution.

The Kaiser's realization that the army would not fight and there were no reserves.

The Kaiser's decision to leave for the Netherlands and exile.

Germany accepted armistice terms, agreeing to evacuate Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Alsace-Lorraine.

Germany was to surrender a significant portion of its military assets.

The Allies would occupy Western Germany up to the left bank of the Rhine.

Germany had to deliver a large number of vehicles and train cars to the Allies.

The armistice was signed at 5:10 a.m. on November 11th, marking the end of World War I.

Fighting continued until the last moment, with some soldiers dying in the final hours.

The end of the war was celebrated worldwide, but the joy was mixed with the grief for those who would never return.

The Great War series concludes with this episode, marking the end of real-time historical narration.

Transcripts

What can I say about this week this week the war ends

I'm indy neidell. Welcome to the great war

Last week what was left of the austro-hungarian Empire signed an armistice leaving Germany as the last man standing

of the Central Powers the Allies advanced all week in the West and cut the Germans last lateral railway line there a

Naval mutiny at Kiel has turned into a full-blown

German revolution and German delegates have gone to France to hopefully sign an armistice of their own

I mean you really can't fight the whole world on the 9th

Romania gave an ultimatum to Field Marshall August von mackensen

To remove all German troops from Romania within 24 hours on the 10th

Romania again takes up arms against the invaders

But the German leadership had higher priorities in the morning of the 9th as the week began

German armistice negotiators reached Compiegne forest in France while at spa the Kaiser

Tried to figure out his future. He met Admiral von hinten at 11:00 a.m

And said that while he might no longer have control of the Navy

He has the army and he can lead that into Germany and put down the revolution

There were now 11 German cities flying the red Soviet flag and five of those were major ports the Kaiser

asked quartermaster general Wilhelm Groener for his opinion groaner said

No military

operations either within or outside Germany could succeed the

Revolutionaries controlled the rail centers and a lot of soldiers had joined the revolution

Anyhow HEC Aachen the nearest German city just over 30 kilometers away from spa was under rebel control

As was very air a German occupied Belgian town just 15 kilometers away

the army would not fight and there were no reserves the Kaiser did not really seem to

understand and first suggested military action against Vera Vieira and Aachen

After that, he floated the idea of him staying at spa

Until after the Armistice was signed and then returning to Berlin at the head of his mighty army

Gruner said the army will march home in peace and order under its leaders and commanding generals

But not under the command of your majesty for it

no longer stands behind your majesty when the Kaiser pointed out that his senior generals took an oath of

Personal loyalty to him Drona said today Oates of loyalty have no substance

Right, then really right then a telegram was brought in from the Berlin commander that read all troops deserted

completely out of hand

Telegrams kept coming in all afternoon that were basically the same thing or worse one said that the Sparta cyst under Karl Liebknecht

had taken control of the Imperial Palace and from there proclaimed a German Soviet republic and

Responding to that a socialist leader named Philipp Scheidemann had proclaimed a Socialist Republic from the Reichstag

Chancellor max von Baden trying desperately to preserve the monarchy announced

Falsely that Vilhelm had abdicated and a Regency council would be set up

He then resigned the chancellorship and gave it over to friedrich ebert a social democrat leader the roads leading back to germany were held by

Revolutionaries and even at spa soldiers were setting up a soviet by 5 p.m. The kaiser

Decided he would leave for the netherlands and exile the next morning

Meanwhile in compiègne Matthias Ayres Berger tried to explain the extent of revolutionary activity and the threat of Bolshevism

Engulfing Central Europe and used that to try and get more lenient armistice terms from the Allies

No

Dice allied supreme commander ferdinand fought wouldn't have it airs Berger asked for a ceasefire as long as negotiations were in progress

No dice Fox will not cease hostilities

Until an armistice is signed

Interesting quote here from Martin Gilbert the fighting therefore went on but Germany could no longer influence the outcome of the negotiations

By its actions on the battlefield in the 100 days since the Allied offensive had opened at the beginning of August

Germany's power had been broken not by descent or revolution behind the lines or by political intrigue as later

nationalist and Nazi politicians were to claim but by the

Military superiority of the Allied armies the combined total of three hundred and sixty-three

thousand prisoners and six thousand four hundred guns

Constituted a quarter of the German army in the field and one half of all of its guns the war making power of Germany

Even to defend its borders was within a few days of collapse

But the war was still active in the field on the 9th

the Americans advanced into Lorraine on the 10th the Canadians entered moans were four years ago the British Expeditionary

Force had first seen action that day the British minesweeper ascott was torpedoed by a German submarine

53 drown

Also that day the Kaiser left Spa for the Netherlands

He did not take the train through Liege nor a car dead straight there through German territory

but instead went by car through back roads after being warned that the army and Liege may be mutinous as people would

Within Germany the night of the 10th news reached Compiegne from Berlin that the German government had accepted armistice terms

once signed

Germany would immediately

evacuate Belgium France Luxembourg and alsace-lorraine and everyone from those places who had been imprisoned or

Deported would be immediately returned home

Germany would surrender two thousand planes five thousand artillery pieces and thirty thousand machine guns

The Allies would occupy and German troops would evacuate

Western Germany up to the left bank of the Rhine and the Allies would take three bridges across it mites Koblenz and Cohn

Germany had 36 days to deliver

10,000 trucks five thousand train engines and a hundred and fifty thousand train cars to the Allies

All the German troops holding the captured territory in the East must return to within Germany's

1914 pre-war borders black seaports must be evacuated

They asked for the Germans to hand over a hundred and sixty submarines

But this caused a technical issue as the Germans did not have 160 submarines so they changed it to all

Submarines must be handed over as well as ten battleships six battle cruisers eight light cruisers and fifty destroyers

Germany will be required to pay reparations for damages done in Belgium and northern France

The trains carrying the negotiators pulled up in a siding in Compiegne forest

Not too far from ritand on the Iron River. They drew up in parallel a hundred metres apart

The main German car had once belonged to French Empress Eugenie Napoleon two thirds consort

But they met in fauces car a dining car wagon

24:19 D there Ferdinand Fache

Maxime Wigand Vice Admiral Ruslan Weems

Rear Admiral George Hope and Captain Jack Mariette met Matthias Aris Berger Ernst von Zell old count Alfred von

Oberndorf and Detlev von vinter felt in

the final discussion

Harris Berger got the concession that Germany would surrender only twenty five thousand machine guns

seventeen hundred planes and only five thousand trucks

This was designed to have something left to combat internal chaos

The armistice was signed at 5:10 a.m

on the morning of November 11th Fache telegraphed the news to the Allied commanders that

Hostilities on the front the whole front will cease at 11:00 a.m. And the war in the field the world war will be over

Fighting did continue all morning even after getting the news of the signing early in the morning

for example

the American army ordered the fight to continue if you think

Those soldiers who died in those last few hours died needlessly

You are not alone for that order provoked a congressional investigation. It is hard to say

Who?

Was the final soldier to die in the active war?

Just east of Mons Canadian private. George price was killed by sniper at 10:58

John Buchan the novelist who would later serve as Governor General of Canada wrote

At 2 minutes to 11 opposite the South African brigade

A German machine gunner after firing off a belt without pause was seen to stand up beside his weapon. Take off his helmet

Bow and then slowly walk to the rear

with the stroke of eleven there came a

Second of expectant silence and then a curious rippling sound which observers far behind the front

Likened to the noise of a light wind it was the sound of men cheering from the wash to the sea in

Cities around the world hundreds of millions of people soon flooded the streets to celebrate

Winston Churchill would ask a decade later who shall knock or begrudge these

Overpowering and transmits every allied nation shared them

These hours were brief their memory fleeting

They passed as suddenly as they had begun

Too much blood had been spilt too much life essence had been consumed

The gaps in every home were too wide and empty the shock of an awakening and the sense of disillusion followed swiftly

Upon the poor rejoicings with which hundreds of millions saluted the achievement of their heart's desire

There still remained the satisfactions of safety assured of peace restored of honour

preserved of the comforts of fruitful industry of the homecoming of the soldiers, but these were in the background and

With them all were mingled the ache for those who would never come home

Many of you have followed this channel for several years some

From the beginning and I thank all of you however long you've been fans for your support you well know

This project would have been impossible without it. This will be the last

regular episode of the series by that

I mean the last episode that follows the events of the war in real time a hundred years later

There will be a series of epilogues

Starting Thursday that talk about what came after this day and there are several Mondays specials yet to come as well

But the war is over

This has been without question the greatest most challenging

And most fun thing I've ever done in my life researching writing and presenting

The whole world war I did research and write all of the regular episodes myself

The specials were researched

In amazing depth by experts in their fields from around the world who donated their time and their knowledge to make this project

The best it could be I don't even know the words how to thank all of those people from the bottom of my heart

for their labor, and of course, I

Have to thank everyone who made this show

Spartacus Olsen for coming up with the idea with me and developing it David Voss and Daniel zeppos our who were producers back in

2014 and set up our studio

Astrid Einhard for set design also she and I came up with my totally iconic look together

Philip at bug and Adrian min dak who were instrumental in developing our motion design and animations

Chris grapha who has recently taken over motion design, dan

Kogasa, and lynn davis who built proper maps for us starting with the battle of verdun

Mark looks bullion, Novick

Felix Michels and Sebastian honkies who created the soundscape

Rulest ian. Halfa Marcus crouch Marv, France

Jana CH and Stephen Roberts who did some great editing work for us Laura Pagan who helped with social media?

Well, we definitely want to thank all of our interns Anna Ravel Christopher Hawk Rory Kirk B max Rose

Mario rezende Jack salt House

yoram a Pelt and Robert Maloney and of course the team that you know

And love that's been the core team since the spring of 2016 markus linka

tony stellar

florian fatigue and julian sang

As I said there will be more material to come over the coming weeks but today

Coincidentally conrad von hotzendorf birthday seriously, there's only one way today can end

I'm, indy neidell. That was the great war

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