German workers' and soldiers' councils 1918–1919

The German workers' and soldiers' councils of 1918–1919 were short-lived revolutionary bodies that carried the German revolution to cities across the German Empire during the final days of World War I. Meeting little to no resistance, they formed quickly, took over city governments and key buildings and caused most of the locally stationed military to flee or stand down. In the face of the revolution being spread by the councils, all of Germany's ruling monarchs, including Emperor Wilhelm II, abdicated by the end of November 1918.