1.1 The origins of the Republic, 1918-19

Question 1

WWI period

Answer 1

1914 - november 11th, 1918

Question 2

Kaiser abdication

Answer 2

• November 9th, 1918
• Ministers told him the only way to restore Germany was by abdicating
• Refused first, however he had no support
• Went into exile in Holland on the 10th

Question 3

Declaration of Republic

Answer 3

• Philipp Scheidemann, leading member of SPD, proclaimed a new German Republic outside the Reichstag
• Appealed to peaceful transition to new regime

Question 4

Who took power after the Kaiser

Answer 4

Max von Baden handed over his prime minister role to Friedrich Ebert on the 9th of November

Question 5

Council of People’s Representatives

Answer 5

Ebert suspended the Reichstag until a new constitution could be agreed, and names six moderate politicians who would form the Council.

• Through this, moderate politicians in the SPD were able to take control of Germany, preventing anarchy or communist takeover
• Only temporary

Question 6

How did Ebert ensure confidence in the new Republic

Answer 6

• Arranged for civil servants (who had helped the Kaiser stay in office) to ensure the state would keep running (taxing, schools etc.)
• Reassured general Groener the army would not be reformed, but they had to help keep the republic in power
• Reassured leaders of industry he would not confiscate land or factories, and no nationalisation of private industries
• Won support of trade unions; eight-hour working day

Question 7

Ebert setting up Weimar Republic. How successful was it

Answer 7

• Still lots of demonstrations and riots
• Germany still on the edge of anarchy
• However, fragile control was enough to agree on a new constitution

Question 8

Trade Union meaning

Answer 8

Groups of workers formed to protect the rights and interests of workers in various occupations

Question 9

Constitution meaning

Answer 9

The rules which set out how a country is run

Question 10

The National Assembly

Answer 10

Would be elected in a vote on the 19th January 1919 to create a new constitution for Germany.

• Turned out successful
• Moderate parties got most seats (40% SPD, 20% Centre party)
• Met for the first time in on the 6th February 1919 in Weimar, where there was less rioting.
• Agreed on a new constitution after 6 months on the 31st July = Weimar Republic

Question 11

Strengths of the Weimar Constitution

Answer 11

1. Article 1 stated Germany was a democracy. Women and now people above 21 (before 25) could vote. Better than Britain.
2. Reichstag was elected through proportional representation. 1 representative per 60,000 votes
3. Balances of power; president, changed every seven years; chancellor, chosen by president, decided the law; Reichstag (more power) controlled taxation; Reichsrat (could delay stuff from Reichstag; Central government (everything together), got more power after Kaiser;
4. Local governments for 18 regions of Germany with own local parliaments (called a land) controlled police, schools and courts.

Question 12

Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution

Answer 12

• Coalition government: 29 parties in total in the 1920s; Often no clear majority; Coalition partners had to compromise, frequently argued and fell apart.
• Weakness in a crisis: lack of single-party governments was a problem in crisis when clear decisions were needed. Solution was article 48, however could be abused (happened a lot around 1930) and made Republic seem weak.
• Based on division and violence: Always a sense the republic was not really the choice of the people; relied on army to subdue conflict. extremist groups.
• Made out of violence, without real public enthusiasm.