Discussion  How does Wilson try to encourage a sense of outrage among people in the United States for the actions taken by Germany? He calls Germany's submarine attacks "warfare against mankind" and "nothing less than war against the government and people of the United States."

The Tide Turns Against Germany A new opponent for Germany: Although the withdrawal of Russia from the war gave Germany new hope and the chance to focus on the Western Front, the entry of the United States into the war provided the Allies with fresh troops and increased supplies. Germany's final gamble: In a last-ditch attempt to break the continuing military stalemate, the Germans initiated a final major offensive on the Western Front during the month of March, 1918. Germany's decisive defeat: After the German army lost two crucial battles, and as large numbers of U.S. troops began pouring into France, German General Erich Ludendorff told his country's leaders that the war was lost and that they should sue for peace.

Discussion  Why do you think Ludendorff took the gamble of throwing all of his resources into a single effort at this point in time? The entry of the United States into the war could have quickly turned the advantage to the Allies. Ludendorff may have thought that if he could take Paris before the Americans had time to fully enter the war, the Germans would have a chance at victory.

Abdication, Armistice, and Postwar Unrest The fighting ends: With the Allies unwilling to make peace with the imperial government of Germany, the Germans forced William II to leave the country. Councils of workers and soldiers took over civilian and military offices in the northern part of the country. The Social Democrats announced the creation of a democratic republic and signed an armistice that put an end to the fighting. Attempted Communist takeovers in Germany: Unhappy with the Social Democrats' policies, radical socialists formed the German Communist Party and tried to seize power. The Social Democrats crushed the rebellion. Disintegration of Austro-Hungarian Empire: As ethnic groups within the Austro-Hungarian Empire sought independence, the empire broke up into the nations of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Discussion  Why do you think the German people acted quickly to remove William II? The Allies would not negotiate with him, and the people wanted a quick end to the war.