1.7 Challenges from the Right and Left Flashcards
Why was there left wing opposition
In 1917 left-wing revolutionary activity in Russia led to the overthrow of the Tsar and many saw poverty and unhappiness in Europe as a way to spread communism.
The Kaiser’s abdication in 1918 was brought about partly by uprisings against his rule in the armed forces.
What were left-wing views?
- Workers should hold political power and all should be treated as equals
- Promoted the interests of workers and argued that workers should own the land and businesses themselves
- The main left-wing party was the Communist Party (KPD)
They were inspired by the Russian Revolution and wanted a similar one in Germany.
Why was there right-wing opposition?
There were strong feelings from many Germans with right wing views.
They did not approve of the new ‘liberal and democratic’ way of governing the country and wanted a return to the political system where a powerful individual ruler led the country.
Many people with these views held influential positions in German society such as army leaders and judges.
What were right-wing views?
Wanted a strong authoritarian government headed by a powerful leader; sought the return of the Kaiser and the previous system of government.
Believed in capitalism and protecting the interests of private business and landowners.
The main right-wing party was the National Party (DNVP)
They hated Communists who had opposed the Tsar and mutinied at the end of WWI
When was the Spartacist Uprising?
January 1919
Who was the Spartacist Uprising led by?
Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
What happened during the Spartacist Uprising?
The Spartacist Leage, a Communist party, tried to set up a Communist government in Berlin. On the 5th January they organised a revolt. They occupied the HQ of the government newspaper and telephone offices and attempted to bring a general strike.
The government found it very difficult to put down the revolt because the troops were limited within the army. Instead the government turned to units of volunteer soldiers known as Freikorps who hated communism.
The revolt ended and Rosa and Karl were shot by Freikorps fighters.
Who were Freikorps?
The Freikorps (Free Corps) was a general name for about 200 paramilitary groups, largely recruited from demobilised soldiers and officers. They were dominated by right-wing nationalists. They saw themselves as the protectors of Germany from Bolshevism and as the kernel of a new German army. The Freikorps helped the new government forcibly suppress left-wing revolts even though many of them were hostile to the Weimar regime. They were similar to the fascist squads in Italy; many members of the Freikorps later joined Hitler’s SA.
What other communist threats were there to the Weimar government?
Although the Spartacist Uprising had failed it did not mean the end of communism in Germany.
During the 1920s the German Communist Party was the largest in Europe, outside of Russia, and regularly won at least 10% of vote in national elections. In November 1932 it won 100 seats.
When was the Kapp Putsch?
March 1920
Who was the Kapp Putsch led by?
Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Luttwitz
What happened during the Kapp Putsch?
Nationalists were amongst the biggest opponents of the Treaty of Versailles. Many ex-soldiers felt unable to adjust to civilian life after the First World War. These were the men that joined the Freikorps units. Ebert tried to disband 2 units. About 12,000 men.
One of the leaders, Luttwitz, refused. Along with other officers, Kapp included. They planned to overthrow the government.
On 12th March 1920, 12,000 Freikorps marched on Berlin where the army refused to support the government. The government fled. The new government, led by Kapp failed to gain support.
Ebert encouraged people to strike. The left organised a general strike on Berlin which stopped it running. Essential supplies such as gas, water and electricity were disrupted. Kapp realised he did not have support and fled to Sweden.
Why was the Kapp Putsch important?
It showed that the government had little military power and could not control its own capital. However, the government did seem to have the support of the majority of the people in Berlin.
Explain the problem of assassinations during this time period?
During 1919 to 1923, many Weimar politicians lived in fear of assassination. The political struggles had led to some right-wing Germans to resort to murder. Judges were lenient towards this. The Republic lost hundreds of devoted servants through assassinations including Walter Ruthenheim in 1922.
