Changes

When Antwerp fell in October 1914, Wilhelm made a speech in which he stated that the city must remain German.<ref name=rohl142>Röhl, p. 11</ref> He wanted Belgians to be evacuated from Belgium and replaced with German military colonists.<ref name=rohl142 /> Wilhelm insisted on retaining control of the Belgian coastline in the hope that a German naval base could eventually be built there. This position was an obstacle to peace negotiations throughout the war.<ref name=rohl142 />  

When Antwerp fell in October 1914, Wilhelm made a speech in which he stated that the city must remain German.<ref name=rohl142>Röhl, p. 11</ref> He wanted Belgians to be evacuated from Belgium and replaced with German military colonists.<ref name=rohl142 /> Wilhelm insisted on retaining control of the Belgian coastline in the hope that a German naval base could eventually be built there. This position was an obstacle to peace negotiations throughout the war.<ref name=rohl142 />  

Wilhelm appointed generals [[Erich Ludendorff|Ludendorff]] and Hindenburg to head the army in August 1916. Promising victory, their prestige grew so great they could boss the imperial government around. On Ludendorff's initiative, Germany adopted "unrestricted" submarine warfare in January 1917. In April, the United States responded with a declaration of war. In July, Ludendorff forced Bethmann to resign. Ludendorff launched a great offensive in France in March 1918. By August, the Allies had learned to counter Ludendorff's strategies and his offensive sputtered to a close. With American forces on the way, there would be no second chance. As the soldiers realized victory was no longer possible, the front collapsed. Wilhelm refused to abdicate, but fled to the Netherlands on November 9, 1918.

Wilhelm appointed generals [[Erich Ludendorff|Ludendorff]] and Hindenburg to head the army in August 1916. Promising victory, their prestige grew so great they could boss the imperial government around. On Ludendorff's initiative, Germany adopted "unrestricted" submarine warfare in January 1917. In April, the United States responded with a declaration of war. In July, Ludendorff forced Bethmann to resign. Ludendorff launched a great offensive in France in March 1918.

 

By August 1918, the Allies had learned to counter Ludendorff's strategies and his offensive sputtered to a close. With American forces on the way, there would be no second chance. As the soldiers realized victory was no longer possible, the front collapsed. On November 7, sailors in Kiel rejected an order to take the fleet on a final suicide mission. It was a signal for revolution across Germany. On November 9, the divisional commanders were summoned to Spa and asked about the attitudes of soldiers. They answered that few were willing fight on, either for the emperor or for Germany.  Wilhelm refused to abdicate, but fled to the Netherlands later that day.<ref>Röhl, pp. 1184-1186.</ref>

==Life in exile (1918-1941)==

==Life in exile (1918-1941)==