How did WWI end?

The war ended after a bruising war of attrition and
virtual stalemate. Two events changed the picture. First, Russia withdrew from the War
following its Revolution and virtually surrendered to Germany under the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk. Secondly, the infusion of fresh troops from America together with the
full resources of the American military was too much for the war weary axis
powers.

Germany gained a brief respite after the surrender
of Russia at Brest-Litovsk. Shortly thereafter, the Germans launched a major offensive
against French lines, but the offensive was turned back within 35 miles of Paris at the
Second Battle of the Marne. Allied success was largely the result of the infusion of
fresh American troops who did not suffer from the war weariness that plagued the other
forces. Both sides were weary of the war, but it was the Germans who cracked
first.

After the Russian Revolution, a series of major
strikes broke out in Germany, mostly led by Socialists and Communists. In July, 1918, a
coalition of moderates in the Reichstag passed a peace resolution calling for peace
without territorial annexation. In response, the German military cracked down with a
virtual dictatorship of the homeland. With the Allies advancing on all fronts, General
Ludendorff realized that the war was lost; but insisted on blaming moderate politicians
in the Reichstag for the defeat. On October 4, 1918, a new liberal government met to sue
for peace; however President Woodrow Wilson responded that he would only negotiate with
the democratically elected government of the German people. The German people had had
enough, and rose up in rebellion. Soldiers and workers began to establish revolutionary
councils on the models of the Russian  Soviets. On November 3, sailors in Kiel mutinied
and on the same day Austria Hungary surrendered to the Allies. Masses of workmen in
Germany struck and demonstrated for peace. Faced with unrest and with army discipline
collapsing, Wilhelm II abdicated and fled to Holland, where he remained to the end of
his days. A German Republic was proclaimed on November 9, and agreed to the Allied terms
of surrender, which were NOT generous. Allied and German representatives met at
Compiegne near Aix-la-Chappelle, (present day Aachen) in a Railroad Car where the
Armistice was signed at eleven a.m. on November 11, 1918. The War was
over.