Sailors of the German High Seas Fleet, angered by an order from Scheer(and not approved by the government) to make a suicidal sortie against the British Grand Fleet, forced its cancellation. The unrest quickly spread to the entire fleet and by November 4 had spread to workers ashore. Sailors ashore spread the unrest across Germany and the Kaiser was forced to abdicate. The navy Wilhelm had built was a key element of his demise.