 The state secretaries (the heads of the governmental departments, similar to ministers in other countries) stayed in office or were replaced by the Council.During this period, the main achievements of the Council were the organization of the armistice with the Allies on November 11, 1918, the "Reichsrätekongress" (General Convention) from 16 to 20 December 1918, and the preparation for the elections for the National Assembly (Nationalversammlung) on 19 January 1919.The Council also reformed the system of suffrage and extended the right to vote to German women for the first time.