Turbulent Germany:

• Attempt to form a liberal government
• Worker & soldier rebellions spread (November Revolution)
• Kaiser fled to Netherlands/November 1918: Armistice (cease-fire)
• Attempted communist power seizures in Berlin and Munich
• Middle class German fear of communism due to violent bloodshed

Peace Aims: "Fourteen Points"

• End to secret diplomacy/arms reductions
• Self-determination of nations/democratic governments
  (Austria-Hungary: Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia)
• Creation of League of Nations (prevent future wars)
• Britain/France: wanted punishment/reparations from Germany

The Treaty of Versailles: Harsh Peace

• Article 231: War Guilt Clause (humiliating blame)
• Reparations to Allied nations affected by aggression
• Return of Alsace & Lorraine/part of Prussia to Poland
• Rhineland demilitarized (buffer zone for France)