creation of republic Flashcards
political + governmental change
When did Prince Max and his gov ask the allies for an armistice?
When did Prince Max and his gov ask the allies for an armistice?
what happened with the Navy on the 28th oct 1918?
refused to sail against British fleet, went on strike
What did the Navy strike set off across Germany?
more strikes and mutinies
what made the Kaiser finally abdicate?
Bavaria breaking from Germany and declaring itself a republic
when did the kaiser abdicate?
9th Oct 1918
How long did Prince Max’s gov last?
less than a month
when was the new democratic gov formed?
10th Nov 1918
what were the two main parties in the new democratic gov?
Social Democrats (SPD) + Independent Social Democrats (USPD)
who was the first chancellor of the Weimar republic, what was his party?
Ebert, SPD leader
what was the new gov originally called when set up?
Council of Peoples Representatives
what was the Ebert-Groener pact?
army would support gov as long as gov opposed more left wing ideas of parties in Reichstag
what happened on 11th Oct 1918?
signing of the Armistice
what was humiliating for the Germans, what did this cause (parties)?
germany could not take part in treaty negotiations - diktat
parties formed + reformed trying to get votes to have voice in Reichstag
what immediate social reforms did the new gov make?
8hr working day, independent trade unions, help for ex-soldiers to find work, widened wealth + unemployment benefits
why was a new constitution necessary?
military defeat meant political, economic + cultural crisis
what was imperial Germany/ 2nd Reich like politically?
authoritarian, kaiser huge amount of power, no protection of civil rights
What was the SPD, who did it represent etc?
Social Democrats, socialist party, acted legally through reform to achieve Marxist aims
what was the ZP who did it represent etc?
Centre party, protect rights of Catholics, supported Weimar Republic, end of 1920s more authoritarian
why did army leaders accept a democratic gov ending the war?
they dint have to take responsibility for ending the war, protected themselves from blame
what did germany’s military defeat lead to? (£)
economic collapse - reparation
which parties had the largest influence over the new constitution?
SPD + ZP
what were the key democratic elements of the new constitution?
universal suffrage, president elected every 7 yrs, president appoints chancellor, chancellor accountable to Reichstag, proportional representation, plebiscites - people pass laws directly
what were the key liberal elements of the new constitution?
civil rights enshrined - protected to ensure people protected from gov
what were the socialists key on ensuring the constitution upheld?
social rights - workers guaranteed right to work or right to welfare
what was the key authoritarian aspect of the new constitution that highlighted distrust of democracy?
Article 48 - presidents emergency gov, suspend constitution + rule by decree
what happened at the 19th Jan 1919 elections (before constitution written)?
82.7% turnout, SPD no majority - formed coalition with ZP and DDP
what was the DNVP, what did it stand for etc?
German Nationalist People’s Party - conservative, nationalist + monarchist party, didnt want social reform, disliked republic, supported army
what was the DVP, what did it stand for?
German People’s Party- moderately conservative, Stresemann leader, wealthy middle class, no social reform, economy quickly fixed, nationalist
what type of parties were the DNVP and DVP?
right wing, conservative and nationalist parties , opposed? didn’t support republic
What was the DDP?
German Democrats, liberal educated professionals, supported Republic, social reform + reform of army
what was the USPD?
Split from SPD, more radical system wanted, Liebknecht + Luxembourg members before Spartacists
what was the KPD?
German Communist party - wanted workers revolution, communist state, attracted young, poor + unemplyed
How many seats did each party get in the 1919 election?
DNVP = 44, DVP = 19, ZP = 91, DDP = 75, SPD = 165, USPD = 28, KPD = none
What were the results of Ebert’s presidential election success?
elected as President by 277 votes to 51
when was the Weimar constitution finally passed?
31st July 1919
What was the political spectrum present in Germany?
Left
KPD
USPD
SPD
ZP
DVP
DNVP
Right
when was the Ebert - Groener pact?
10th Nov 1918
why were political coalitions seen as unstable + weak?
caused disagreements, party arguments over key issues, could cause quick changes in gov, no decisive strong leader
