After Bulgaria quit the war, it was clear the Central Powers were finished. By early October 1918, both Germany and Austria were exchanging diplomatic notes with the United States, discussing peace terms.
When the news that Berlin and Vienna were in peace talks with the Allies got out, it led to a rapid collapse of both governments’ domestic political support.
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Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening War Theme
Das Liebesmahl der Apostel
Composed in 1845 by Richard Wagner. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Marine Band. Public domain recording. Source.
Closing War Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
I remember reading somewhere a suggestion that Pershing wanted to keep taking the fight to the Germans so that they would know they were _really_ defeated, with their armies driven from the field and their cities occupied. Otherwise, they could claim they weren’t truly defeated, and sooner or later another war would ensue. In essence he foresaw the rise of the whole “stabbed in the back” legend. Given subsequent events, he may have had a point…
Sorry I can’t remember the actual reference where I saw this!