Although the Allies ask that they be recalled, they help to secure the independence of Finland and the Baltic states before degenerating into undisciplined marauding units. In Bavaria and other South German states strong separatist strivings surface. In the big cities and the industrial areas shootings between restive workers and army units occur almost daily. Right-wing paramilitary units gather and attack workers. The workers', soldiers', and farmers' councils often cannot preserve order.
Authority is unclear.
Determined sailors or workers occupy government buildings and the Imperial castle in Berlin whenever they want. Politics assume a shrill and nervous pitch. In this situation the tensions between the more radical socialists and the SPD came to a head. They believed that the capitalists had unleashed and prolonged the war for selfish reasons, and they wanted to make sure this would not happen again. State control over the industry or socialization of German enterprises were demands often voiced by the radical workers.