The Kiel Mutiny

The Kiel mutiny began the German Revolution of 1918.

Towns across Germany had been forming Soviet style workers councils, with sailors participating.

The Admiralty wanted a glorious last stand against the US, French, and British fleets.

The sailors saw this was suicide and the war was doomed anyway, so they mutinied.

The Kiel mutiny started on October 29, 1918.

This mutiny spread to civilian workers and soldiers.

Munich, capital of Bavaria became controlled by a workers council.

The Bavarian King Ludwig was forced to flee.

The Kiel mutiny resembled the way the Russian revolutions started, with the navy.

Meanwhile, at the Kaiser's,

Prince Max von Baden was appointed by the Kaiser as Chancellor in October 1918.

Von Baden was to negotiate a ceasefire, preferably with Americans as they would give better terms.

The British and French did not allow Woodrow Wilson's plan, and demanded unconditional surrender.

Kaiser Wilhelm signed the 11/11/1918 armistice to end hostilities.

Then the Kaiser abdicated.

Chancellor Von Baden quit also, asking Friedrich Ebert, head of the SPD socialist party, to replace him as Chancellor.

The appointment of Friedrich Ebert by the resigning Chancellor had no legal basis.

Ebert, a trade union socialist, non Marxist, wanted parliamentary reforms without revolution, and a restoration of monarchy.

“I hate the revolution like sin” Ebert had said.

Followed by infighting among socialist factions.

Back to Kiel,

The Kiel mutineers were part of a faction of Socialists, the USDP.

"However, even at this moment of success, the seeds of the German revolution’s destruction were being sown. The leader of the Socialist Party, and member of the new government, Gustav Noske, was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in Kiel. Although unknown to many who still looked to the Socialists as the natural leaders of the workers’ movement, he had received secret orders from the government to bring down the mutiny and the developing revolution." (ref 1)

The SPD socialists and the friekorps went on to fight against the 1918 Revolution, and the Wiemar Republic eventually emerged.

Timeline wholly from secondary sources.

(ref 1) The Kiel Mutiny http://www.onthisdeity.com/?s=Kiel+mutiny

1918 revolution https://alphahistory.com/weimarrepublic/german-revolution/

Kiel mutiny https://alphahistory.com/weimarrepublic/kiel-mutiny/

Friedrich Ebert https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Ebert

The Treaty of Versailles https://www.thoughtco.com/the-treaty-of-versailles-an-overview-1221958