Revolution or military defeat?

[Tower of Bebel]

Fall 1918, the German army is retreating from the famous Hindenburg line on the North-Western front. By 11 November the frontline went through the city of Gent. The German army was retreating and the German borugeoisie was ready to sign a humiliating peace treaty. During Spring one million American soldiers were thrown in the battle, trying to break through the German lines, by fall 1918 the succeeded. Meanwhile in occupied Brussels, some German batalions went over to the revolution and were seen with the red flag in the streets.

My question is, what caused the Germans to retreat? Was it the combined effort of allied armies after the costly defeat of operation Michael, which was the last attempt of the German staff to end the war before the Americans would arrive. Or was it the German revolution which made an end to the war, just like the Russian revolution one year earlier?

[Comrade Rage]

I believe it was revolution, since strategically the Germans could have lasted until 1919, or 1920. It was only due to anti-war sentiment, that had spread, even to the petty bourgeoise, against a war that was having no clear victories.

By 1917 the German anti-war movement in the proletariat had developed strong class-conscious tendencies, which had spread to the soldiers and sailors.

It was revolution

That's my opinion.

Even if you don't buy that the soldiers/sailors mutiny was revolution minded, there was still a good revolution in Germany.

Munich Soviet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavarian_Soviet_Republic)

[Tower of Bebel]

The German retreat was still slow, which means the Allies were inable to hit the Germans hard. But the haste with which the Germans signed a peace treaty shows us there was another factor: revolution.

Where and when did the revolution actually start?