Ludendorff and Hindenburg explained to the Kaiser that the problem was not only the German soldiers' will and ability to fight, but also President Wilson's deep reluctance to negotiate in any way with the Kaiser himself or his military chiefs. Grasping not only the nettle of military defeat, but also that of political democratisation, the Kaiser signed a proclamation establishing a Parliamentary regime. In the space of a single day, Germany's militarism and autocracy were all but over.
Ludendorff and Hindenburg conveyed to Kaiser Wilhelm II that Germany's predicament stemmed not only from the soldiers' will to fight but also from President Wilson's strong opposition to negotiating with the German leadership. This realization highlighted the broader issues Germany faced, including the loss of military resolve and the need for political reform.
In response to these challenges, the Kaiser took a decisive step by signing a proclamation to establish a Parliamentary regime. This act marked a significant shift in Germany’s structure, effectively diminishing its militaristic and autocratic governance within a single day, indicating the profound impact of both military defeat and the push towards democracy.
