Primary Documents - 1918
This page of the Primary
Documents section of the website collects together archive source documents
originating in 1918.
This, the final year of the war, saw the Allies triumph over the Central Powers, and the collapse of monarchies throughout Europe.
Included among the following documents is the text of U.S. President Wilson's famed Fourteen Points outlining the basis for peace. Also available is the text of the annexationist Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which Germany imposed against Russia; and Kaiser Wilhelm II's abdication proclamation.
The list presented below - with each entry accompanied by a brief summary of its significance - is sorted by date, with earlier documents listed first.
Document | Description |
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January - U.S. President's formula for peace |
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January - Vinichenko's plea for seat at peace conference |
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January - Government announcement protesting terms |
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January - German Chancellor's conciliatory response |
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February - Text of peace treaty agreed by Ukraine |
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February - Reaction of Brest-Litovsk Conference chairman |
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February - Reaction of Ukraine government |
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February - Leon Trotsky's announcement of Russia's act |
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February - U.S. President's explanation of certain clauses |
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February - Reaction of Austro-Hungarian Emperor |
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February - British Commander-in-Chief's report |
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February - Lenin's appeal in support of Brest-Litovsk peace |
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February - German Chancellor's follow-up re: 14 Points |
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February - British Foreign Secretary's critique of Hertling |
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February - Belgian Prime Minister's position re: peace |
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March - Germany's treaty with Russia |
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March - German Chancellor's speech to Reichstag |
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March - U.S. law giving government control of railways |
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March - German Chief of Staff's account of the offensive |
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March - Ludendorff's official report |
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March - U.S. C-in-C's address to Ferdinand Foch |
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March - British Prime Minister on rationale for decision |
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April - Austro-Hungarian C-in-C's official statement |
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April - Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister's view |
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April - William G Sharp's account of its early use |
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April - Official Allied documentation appointing Foch |
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April - British Prime Minister's repeated appeal |
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April - German Chief of Staff's account of the offensive |
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April - Commander-in-Chief's 'Backs to the Walls' call |
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April - Admiralty statement trumpeting raid's success |
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April - Alfred von Tirpitz's official report |
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April - Canadian Corps Commander's appeal for courage |
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May - Germany's treaty with Romania |
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May - Admiralty account of raid upon Ostend |
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May - Modification of act initially passed in June 1917 |
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May - U.S. C-in-C's surprise at German approach to battle |
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June - Brief French military report praising U.S. forces |
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June - Account of its use and significance |
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June - U.S. C-in-C's account of European calls for troops |
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June - Urgent appeal issued by France, Italy and Britain |
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June - U.S. C-in-C's brief summary of crucial U.S. battle |
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June - U.S. Secretary of the Navy's account |
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June - British press report praising U.S. efforts |
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June - Austro-Hungarian commander's pre-battle address |
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June - Official French observer's report |
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June - Official German observer's report |
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June - Account by head of British Red Cross in Italy |
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June - Official report by British commander in Italy |
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July - Allied Supreme Commander's optimism for victory |
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July - French General's appeal to his forces at onset |
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July - Tomas Masaryk on rationale for fighting in Russia |
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July - Semi-official German press statement |
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August - German strategist's view of Allied counterattack |
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August - French General's praise of U.S. efforts |
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August - German Chief of Staff's post-war reflections |
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August - French General's praise of U.S. role |
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August - U.S. C-in-C's summary of U.S. participation |
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August - Semi-official German statement on outcome |
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August - U.S. Commander's praise of U.S. conduct |
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August - Official British journalist's newspaper account |
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August - French General's view of battle's turning point |
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August - News reporter's account of Kaiser's reaction |
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September - U.S. Secretary of State's statement |
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September - Wilhelm's views on U.S. troops |
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September - German Chief of Staff's warning to soldiers |
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September - Account from Wilhelm's post-war memoirs |
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September - Local German commander's account |
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September - British Commander-in-Chief's report |
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September - British commander's praise of Greek troops |
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September - Government request pending an armistice |
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September - British General's summary of battle |
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September - Summary by Greek Military Attaché in London |
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September - Telegram to Greek Prime Minister |
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September - Terms dictating surrender of Bulgaria |
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September - Commander-in-Chief's official report |
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September - British regional commander's official report |
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September - Statement issued to Greek Army commanders |
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September - Bulgarian Tsar's forced abdication |
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September - Account of Allenby's victory at Megiddo |
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September - Address by local German commander |
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October - German military's address to Reichstag |
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October - Army Chief of Staff's urgent call |
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October - Wilhelm II's appeal for renewed vigour |
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October - Wilhelm II's statement of urgency |
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October - Provisional Government's declaration |
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October - Kaiser's proclamation to Chancellor |
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October - Official German observer's account |
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November - German revolutionary's appeal |
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November - Italian Army Chief of Staff's proclamation |
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November - Account by head of British Red Cross |
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November - Telegram series between Hindenburg and Foch |
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November - French Captain's account of armistice |
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November - British account of German delegate's arrival |
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November - Telegram from Allied Supreme Commander |
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November - German Chancellor's announcement |
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November - Kaiser's rationale in letter to Crown Prince |
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November - War journalist's account |
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November - Official British observer's account |
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November - Ebert's appeal for public calm |
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November - Allied demands from Germany |
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November - Austro-Hungarian Emperor's abdication |
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November - U.S. President's summary to U.S. Congress |
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November - Account by member of Kaiser's personal staff |
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November - Crown Prince Wilhelm's request to Ebert |
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November - Polish governing body's appointment |
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November - Polish governing body's announcement |
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November - Newly appointed Polish leader's statement |
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November - Crown Prince's letter to von Hindenburg |
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November - Ante Trumbic-led council's aspirations |
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November - Serbian Regent's reply to Yugoslav Committee |
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November - German Kaiser's reluctant abdication |
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November - U.S. Naval Secretary's account of war role |
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November - Charles C. Gill's account of troop transports |
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December - Declaration of new Greater Serbian state |
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December - British war journalist's account |
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December - Sultan's regret for illegal Turkish acts |
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December - Official recognition for U.S. efforts |
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December - Czecho-Slovak President's emotional speech |
A "biff" was a Bristol fighter plane.
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