After realizing that Germany would lose World War 1 on November 9, 1918, Keiser Wilhelm 11 was abdicated as the British Emperor and King of Prussia. The news spread through London in the evening when people returned home from watching the Lord Mayor’s show. Keiser’s administration led to unrest in Britain and a naval mutiny that convinced the population he had to be abdicated. The news was expected to be astonishing to the German people, and it was well planned to trigger enthusiasm. Contrastingly, the British people responded with a quiet and restrained demeanor.
The newspaper article by the New York Times published two days after the event describes the non-excitement London displayed after the announcement of Keiser’s abduction. However, London applauded the allies, particularly the American flying men. Americans participated in the Lord Mayor’s procession led by stars and stripes. American dignitaries marched along the route from Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice to take the oath of office and back. They were welcomed with warm greetings to appeal to the national spirit potentially. The event planned to be a civic function turned into a war show with a display of captured German guns. There was an atmosphere of victory as war crafts displayed their majestic airplane stunts in the sky to signify victory.
They also cheered when the cooperation of American Navy with the British. However, the crowds remained dull while Floyd George was announcing Kaiser’s abduction in Guildhall, and only laughter and jests could be heard. The subtitle of the article reads, “Airmen Carrying Stars and Stripes Proved a Feature of the Great Pageant.” The publication hypothetically implies that London people were very excited by the American soldiers. The second paragraph of the article is composed of one paragraph explaining the role American flying men played in the Lord Mayors’ procession. The article compares the happiness of London people during the Lord Mayor’s event as they watched military craft stunts with July 7, 1917, when German airplanes paraded their superiority by dropping bombs on them. The citizens are described in the article that they were too astonished to be afraid of seeing German airplanes launching bombs on their land. This indicates that airplanes were a new invention at the beginning of the 20th century and experienced exemplary development during World War 1. Therefore, crowds would be impressed by the sight of airplane stunts regardless of their cause.
By comparing the impression made when Keiser’s abduction was announced and major national events, the article distinguishes the values of the London people. It seems the public did not require the abdication of Keiser since it could weaken Britain during a critical time of war. London citizens celebrated military victory in World War 1 and its alliance with America. By comparing the crowds’ response during the announcement of Keiser’s abdication with other major events, the article highlights the major values of the London people at the time. Events that would make victory certain for the British such as collaboration with America and superior military equipment, excited people in London.
When Loyd George spoke during the Lord Mayor’s event, he indirectly criticized the people of London for not celebrating the abdication of Weimer. He said, “I have no news for you,” to express disappointment in how the public embraced a military show rather than abdication news. The crowd responded with a burst of loud laughter, indicating they deliberately chose not to celebrate Keiser’s abduction. It seems London people appreciated military dominance and victory in World War 1 more than the abdication.
Work Cited
The New York Times. Keiser’s Fall Fail to Excite London. (1918).