The situation of the German Empire was so bad that all its allies had left the war and became isolated, although it gave them an advantage in that the fronts on which they had to support were reduced or concentrated.
Although it improved the situation of their enemies more, especially the Russians, as with their withdrawal from Austria they began to transfer the Russian units to the German lands.
But the situation of the Entente improved further, as with the end of the Balkan Front, the Middle East and Africa, the British forces began to transfer their armies to French territory.
In Austria, after the end of the war, Karl gained initial popularity because he ended the war and returned the soldiers to their families.
Later, Heinrich Lamash and Mihaly Karolyi were declared prime ministers of both sides of the empire
With the announcement of the new reforms prepared by the Emperor, as well as the dissolution of the parliaments of Hungary and Austria to prepare for elections
Although the noble classes, especially the Hungarians, were not so impressed by this that there were rumors of preparations for a Hungarian rebellion backed by the German Empire
But the Imperial Chief of Staff, Arthur Arz von Straussburg, secretly informed the Emperor of this, so he authorized him to arrest all persons considered a potential threat.
Arthur Arz von Straussburg
After these measures, things went smoothly, but the outcome of the elections was unexpected, as the socialist parties won the elections
So Emperor Karl offered
The Social Democratic politician Karl Renner became prime minister of the monarchy, as the candidate accepted the position, thus beginning the period of Socialist rule of the dual monarchy.
Karl Renner new prime minster of the empire
As for Russia, after the February Revolution and the departure of Nicholas II and his family to Austria, where their permanent exile became, as they would not return to Russia.
A government headed by Czar Michael II was formed with Prince Lvov as prime minister, encouraged by the exit of Austria.
Russia began to consider making a separate treaty with
The Germans and for this reason Lvov began to contact the Germans to find out the terms and in agreement with the Duma and the Tsar
They decided that if the terms were moderate, then they would agree to peace, despite the anger of some generals and Minister of War Kresinski that now they could use their entire army against the Germans.
But at the request of Lvov, the Tsar convinced them that he
Even if they could finally use their full army, yet they had no chance against the Germans, so they had to at least win the peace, even if they lost the war, so it was agreed that the peace would be signed.
Through Sweden, as a neutral country, the German and Russian governments communicated to find out the terms of peace, and they were as follows
1- The Russians will lose Poland and Lithuania, and they will become independent kingdoms
2- The Russians will lose Bessarabia to the Kingdom of Romania
3- It will be agreed to give the Germans preferential trade treatment and to buy Russian agricultural exports at a reduced price to the Germans, with relatively huge compensation payments.
The Russians accepted the treaty, especially since the aforementioned lands were not ethnically Russian. As a result, the Stockholm Treaty was signed
declaring the Russian Empire’s exit from the war.
The Russians happily received the news of the exit from the war and restored some prestige to the monarchy, even though the socialists (including the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks) were calling for a revolution and the overthrow of tsarism.
After this, it was decided that Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach, would become King of Lithuania under the name Mindogas II of Lithuania, while it was decided that Poland would be a kingdom with Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony as augstus iv King of Poland.
As for Germany, despite their victory in the eastern front
However, the situation in the West was not good, as with the exit of the Ottomans, the Bulgarians and the Austrians from the war, the Concord began to focus on the Germans.
This led to the Battle of Arras, in which the French succeeded in pushing the Germans to the border
The victory also led to the Neville attack, which was a great and decisive success for the Entente. The number of German casualties was very large, and among the victims were Eric Ludendorff and Prince Wilhelm, the German Crown Prince.
Prince Wilhelm, the German Crown Prince. (1882-1917)
, Emperor Wilhelm II was devastated and deeply saddened by the death of his son, and Heidenburg was sacked due to this disaster.
The Kaiser began in earnest to try to make peace at any cost as he seemed to realize that there was no hope of a German victory, and at least if he lost, he would at least try to keep Germany in the sun and be proud of it.
That is why the emperor gave Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Holwig the absolute hand to try for peace, as the German government began
In an attempt to communicate with the reconciliation governments and make an offer they could not refuse, it stipulated the following:
Alsace and Lorraine will be returned to France
Germany will withdraw from Belgium and guarantee its independence
and signed a treaty with the United Kingdom relating to the navy
, but it will be under conditions in which the German position is strong, namely:
1-The return of parts of the German colonial empire with the Germans obtaining some other colonies while accepting the loss of some to the Entente
2- The forces of reconciliation will recognize and accept the German gains on the eastern front of the war
3- France is prohibited, if Alsace-Lorraine is restored, arming it or building any military fortresses there for a period of not less than thirty years, as well as prohibiting the Germans from building any military fortresses for the same period
4- Germany will accept the other gains of reconciliation
5- France shall not receive any compensation from Germany in return for Germany's recognition of the final cession of Alsace-Lorraine and any claims to these territories.
The treaty was somewhat generous compared to what the British and the French expected, so the French and British delegations met with the Reich delegations at Versailles, and after discussions the following was agreed upon.
1- Germany would cede Alsace-Lorraine to France without Germany paying any compensation to the French and preventing the French and Germans from building defenses there for thirty years.
2- Germany will withdraw from Belgium and its unity and territorial integrity will be preserved, with compensation being paid to the Belgians.
3- The Germans will regain German East Africa, and Cameroon and will gain Belgian Congo and French Gabon.
In return for giving up German East West Africa and parts of the Belgian Congo and German Guinea to the British, and Togo to the French
4- The Imperial German Sea Fleet will be reduced by agreement to be determined by both the British and German governments
Thus, officially the Great War ended in a tie and in a negotiated peace, but with honorable gains for entente and the Germans, and no one knows whether it will be peace or just a truce.
end of chapter
