Collapse Of Imperial Germany Flashcards
Situation end of 18
• By the end of September 1918, the German army on the Western Front was on the brink of defeat and its High Command, led by General Ludendorff, wanted to negotiate an armistice with the Allies.
Ludendorff understood that the Allied leaders, especially President Wilson of the USA, would not negotiate with an autocratic monarch. There were attempts in early October to reform the German political system by giving the Reichstag more power, but these reforms did not go far enough to satisfy the Allies.
Discontent after new of impending defeat
•News that Germany was on the brink of defeat shattered the morale of the German people, adding to the discontent that had resulted from years of hardship due to the war effort. Workers in large cities began to threaten strike action and, in Munich on 8 November, a Bavarian Republic was declared.
• There was discontent, too, among the German armed forces, as soldiers and sailors lost respect for their officers. On 3 November there was a mutiny at the main naval base in Kiel.
• Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils, similar to those of the Soviets that had been set up in Russia during its 1917 revolution, were established in parts of Germany.
• The threat of a general strike in Berlin led to the collapse of the Kaiser’s government on
9 November. The Chancellor, Prince Max, resigned and the head of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Friedrich Ebert, became the leader of a new government.
• Later, on 9 November, General Groener told the Kaiser that the army would not fight for him. The Kaiser had little choice but to abdicate.
When was the sailors’ revolt in Berlin that was put down by army
23-24 dec 18
Ebert-Groener pact date
10 nov 18
Date of armistice signing
11 Nov
Struggle for power
• Friedrich Ebert, leader of the moderate socialist SPD, did not believe in violent revolution. He wanted to build a democratic, parliamentary system of government, and his first priority was to organise elections for a Constituent Assembly which would draw up a new Constitution.
• In Berlin and other major cities, there was ongoing disorder as unemployed ex-soldiers and discontented workers became embroiled in demonstrations, strikes and violent clashes with the police and army.
• Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils regarded themselves as rival sources of power and demanded radical and immediate change, including the confiscation of land from the aristocracy, the nationalisation of important industries, and democratic control over the army, the civil service and the judicial system. Left-wing political groups, such as the USD and the Spartacists, supported these demands.
• The role of the army was crucial in the struggle for power. The army’s new leader, General Groener, valued order and discipline and was determined to defeat any attempt at a communist revolution. To this end, he agreed a Pact with Ebert to support the government as long as the Chancellor promised to resist radical change to the army.
Sparticist Uprising
• In January 1919 the Spartacists attempted an armed uprising against the government in Berlin.
Led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, the insurgents occupied public buildings and newspaper offices. With limited support, the rising was defeated by the army and the Freikorps (paramilitary organisations made up of former soldiers) in brutal street fighting. Both Liebknecht and Luxemburg were killed after being captured.
Outcome of defeat of sparticists
The defeat of the Spartacists paved the way for elections to the Constituent Assembly later in January.
The Constituent Assembly chose Ebert as President of the new German Republic and a coalition government was formed by the SD, Centre and German Democratic parties. The way was clear for the Assembly to draw up a new Constitution.
Sparticist League info
- A revolutionary and anti-war breakaway group from the SPD, led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
Wanted a republic controlled by workers’ and soldiers councils, nationalisation of industry and replacement of army by workers’ militias.
Some workers joined their rallies and demonstrations but membership was very small c5000.
USPD info
- A radical and anti-war breakaway group from the SPD, led by Hugo Hasse.
Wanted a republic ruled by Reichstag but cooperating with workers’ and soldiers councils, nationalisation of industry, reform of army.
Growing in strength, their membership was c300,000.
SPD info
- A mass socialist party led by Friedrich Ebert and Philipp Scheidemann.
Wanted a republic ruled by Reichstag, with democratic freedoms and welfare rights. Some nationalisation of industry.
Had been the largest party in the Reichstag in 1912 and, with c1 million members in 1918 still appealed to many working-class voters.
