Wilhelm II viewed Poles as ungrateful despite economic benefits from Reich. German policy offered Poles only national suicide via germanization. Repression strengthened Polish national solidarity and self-organization. Poles remained loyal in WWI hoping to disprove German threats. 90% of Poles favored Entente by summer 1918. Germans planned to annex Polish buffer zones post-war. Germanization failed against Polish network society of organizations. Internal German chaos prevented preparation for Polish revolt. Weak demobilized German forces faced determined Poles. Germans accepted self-determination principle for Polish-majority areas. Paderewski's arrival sparked uncontrollable uprising. Allies forced ceasefire preventing German counteroffensive. Uprising demonstrated Polish will securing region for Poland. Diplomats confirmed Greater Poland as unambiguously Polish.