offensive German army counter-offensive revolution Kaiser Wilhelm II armistice three days later Paris Peace Conference Treaty of Versailles Poland Finland Czechoslovakia Yugoslavia Allies Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Russia Ottoman Empire
Germany launched an offensive in the west in March 1918, but despite initial success, it left the German army exhausted and demoralised. A successful Allied counter-offensive later that year caused a collapse of the German frontline. By the end of 1918, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary agreed to armistices with the Allies, leaving Germany isolated. Facing revolution at home and with his army on the verge of mutiny, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on 9 November. An armistice three days later ended the fighting, and the Paris Peace Conference imposed various settlements on the defeated powers, notably the Treaty of Versailles. The dissolution of the Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman Empires resulted in the creation of new independent states, including Poland, Finland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
