1. The Impact of War and the Political Crises of October to November 1918 (S1)

Question 1

What were the October Reforms? Name 2 ideas created.

Answer 1

• Recommendations by Ludendorff that ended autocratic rule
• Appointed Max of Baden as Chancellor
• Armed forces put under government’s control

Question 2

What was the Peace Note?

Answer 2

A letter Prince Max wrote to President Wilson in October asking for an armistice.

Question 3

What impact did the Peace Note have on soldiers and sailors?

Answer 3

Many soldiers and sailors lost respect for their officers and the beginning of naval mutiny.

Question 4

What actions did the SPD take during the November Revolution? Name 1.

Answer 4

• 9th November, SPD called for workers to join a strike against the Kaiser
• SPD threatened to withdraw support from Prince Max’s government unless the Kaiser abdicated

Question 5

What actions did Prince Max take in reaction to the SPD?

Answer 5

Prince Max had announced the abdication and resigned himself.

Question 6

Who gained the role of Chancellor from Prince Max and when?

Answer 6

Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SPD, on the 9th November – the day it was announced that Germany was a republic.

Question 7

What is the Reichstrat?

Answer 7

The second chamber of German parliament, each state represented in proportion to its population and could provide advice on laws but overridden by Reichstag.

Question 8

What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?

Answer 8

Groener told Ebert that the army leadership would support the government in return Ebert should resist demands of soldier’s councils to democratise the army.

Question 9

Name 3 strengths of the constitution

Answer 9

• Provided a wider right to vote (women can vote)
• System of proportional representation
• Full democracy in local government
• Clearly set out rights of the individual
• Referendums could be called by the president, reichstrat or by people’s request.

Question 10

Name 3 weakness of the constitution

Answer 10

• System of proportional representation (small parties)
• Coalition governments
• Presidential decrees
• Survival of undemocratic institutions
• The existence of Article 48

Question 11

Who became the new Commander in Chief of the army in 1920?

Answer 11

General Hans von Seeckt.

Question 12

What was Article 48?

Answer 12

The power of the President to rule by decree in exceptional circumstances.