Editing Georges Clemenceau (section)

====1918: German spring offensive====
On 21 March 1918, the Germans began their great [[German spring offensive|spring offensive]]. The allies were caught off guard and a gap was created in the British and French lines that risked handing over access to Paris to the Germans. This defeat cemented Clemenceau's belief, and that of the other allies, that a coordinated, unified command was the best option. It was decided that [[Ferdinand Foch]] would be appointed as "[[generalissimo]]".<ref>John McGroarty : The Gray Man of Christ: Generalissimo Foch (1919) Los Angeles, Walter A Abbott.</ref>

The German line continued to advance and Clemenceau believed that the fall of Paris could not be ruled out. Public opinions arose that if "the Tiger", as well as Foch and [[Philippe Pétain]] stayed in power for even another week, France would be lost and that a government headed by [[Aristide Briand]] would be beneficial to France, because he would make peace with Germany on advantageous terms.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Clemenceau adamantly opposed these opinions and he gave an inspirational speech in the Chamber of Deputies; the chamber subsequently voted their confidence in him by 377 votes to 110.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

As the [[Hundred Days Offensive|allied counter-offensives]] began to push the Germans back, it became clear that the Germans could no longer win the war. Although they still occupied vast amounts of French territory, they did not have sufficient resources and manpower to continue their attack. As countries allied to Germany began to ask for an armistice, it was obvious that Germany would soon follow. On 11 November 1918, an armistice with Germany was signed. Clemenceau was embraced in the streets and attracted many admiring crowds.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}