The Kiel Mutiny

What was the Kiel Mutiny?

The Kiel mutiny was a major revolt by sailors of the German High Seas Fleet.

When was the Kiel Mutiny?

The Kiel mutiny took place from the 28th October to the 4th November 1918.

Where did the Kiel Mutiny take place?

The mutiny took place at two locations. Wilhelmshaven where the High Seas Fleet was anchored and the Kiel naval base.

What were the causes of the Kiel Mutiny in the First World War?

There were 5 main reasons for the Kiel Mutiny in 1918:

• ❖ The morale of the sailors in the High Seas Fleet had fallen due to the fact they had been in port since the Battle of Jutland.
• ❖ Socialist ideas had influenced many of the sailors who no longer trusted their officers.
• ❖ The High Seas Fleet was ordered on one last mission to take on the Royal Navy in the North Sea. This was in late October 1918 and it was clear the war was over.
• ❖ German officers looked forward to this last ditch suicide mission to save the kaiser's honour.
• ❖ Regular German sailors disagreed with this and revolted, taking control of their ships and the Kiel naval yard.

What was the significance of the Kiel Mutiny?

The Kiel Mutiny was significant for 4 key reasons:

• ❖ The mutiny forced the navy to call off the final attack and the High Seas Fleet remained in Kiel.
• ❖ The sailors were quickly joined by workers from the city of Kiel and they quickly rounded up their officers and took control of their battleships.
• ❖ The sailors formed sailors' and workers' councils similar to the soviets that appeared in Russia during the 1917 revolution.
• ❖ Within days the mutineers made demands for political freedom and their influence had spread across Germany, sparking the German Revolution of 1918.