The End of Monarchy

The revolutionary events of November 1918 put an end to monarchical rule throughout the German Reich. Both the German imperial crown and the crowns of the other German princes were literally washed away by the revolutionary tide, as depicted by Arnold Schütz in his caricature. With the revolution of 7 November 1918, the 738-year reign of the Wittelsbachs, the first monarchy in the German Empire, came to an end in Bavaria.

After the Bavarian royal couple fled during the night of the revolution, the Eisner government tried to obtain an official resignation from the monarch. Such an abdication was to make it easier for the officials and officers, who were sworn in by the king, to participate in the new state structure. After a first failed attempt, Otto von Dandl (1868-1942), former Bavarian Chairman of the Ministerrat (Council of Ministers), was invited to Anif Castle near Salzburg. On 12 November 1918, Ludwig III (1845-1921) declared there in writing the release of officials, soldiers and officers from their oath of allegiance (the so-called "Anifer declaration").

The Anifer Declaration was interpreted by the Eisner government as a renunciation of the throne by King Ludwig III and announced as such on 13 November 1918. However, the wording of the declaration only permitted such an interpretation to a limited extent. Neither Ludwig III nor Crown Prince Rupprecht (1869-1955) ever made a clear renunciation of the Bavarian throne. To the contrary, on 10 November 1918, Crown Prince Rupprecht demanded by telegram to have the question of Bavaria's form of government clarified by a National Assembly.