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 became so great that 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, ending the kaiser's influence on government policy. Using an innovative set of strategies, Ludendorff launched a great offensive in France in March 1918.

Hindenburg and [[Erich Ludendorff|Ludendorff]] became national heroes after their victory over the Russians at Tannenburg in August 1914. After the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, Wilhelm replaced Moltke with Falkenhayen as chief of staff. Falkenhayen's nuanced and defensive strategy could not compete with the calls for an all-out offensive and total victory made by Ludendorff. Bowing to public pressure, Wilhelm ousted Falkenhayen in favor of Hindenburg and Ludendorff in August 1916. 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, ending the kaiser's influence on government policy. Using an innovative set of strategies, 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. To spur them on, the soldiers had been told that Ludendorff's offensive would be decisive. That decision had gone against them. As the soldiers realized that victory was no longer possible, the front collapsed.

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. To spur them on, the soldiers had been told that Ludendorff's offensive would be decisive. That decision had gone against them. As the soldiers realized that victory was no longer possible, the front collapsed.