Impact of the First World War Flashcards
What was the result when the British used their large navies to stop German food supplies?
As a result there were:
- terrible shortages of food, medicines and
clothing
In 1915, what did the woman do?
In 1915, 500 women gathered in front of Parliament and said they wanted their men back
In 1916, what did the workers do?
In 1916, 10,000 workers assembled in Berlin to shout, ‘Down with war, down with the government’
In 1918, why was Germany so close to collapse
The German people were surviving on turnips and bread and a deadly flu epidemic was sweeping the country
What was General Ludendorff’s advise?
He told the politicians that they could never win the war and advised the Kaiser make Germany more democratic i.e share his power with parliament in order for fair treatment
Did Kaiser make Germany more democratic?
The changes were too late to satisfy the German people
Describe the mutiny and revolution in 1918
- 28th October 1918 - German navy were ordered to attack British ships
- Sailors on the ship refused to follow orders and they no longer wanted to fight
- News of the mutiny began to spread
- Sailors, workers, soldiers refused to follow orders
- In six days, soldiers and sailors were governing cities all over Germany - Hamburg, Munich
- 9th November 1918 - Kaiser abdicated and left Germany
Who took over after the Kaiser?
Friedrich Ebert - leader of the SPD - took over on temporary basis and promised an election to decide who to be the leader of Germany
When did Germany surrender in WW1?
11th November 1918
Why was Germany virtually bankrupt?
- Germany had borrowed money from abroad to pay for war; this would need baying back
- Germany had lent money, don’t know if they will ever be paid back
- 60,000 war widows and 2 million children without fathers - war pension would cost the government a fortune
- German factories have been producing guns rather than goods to sell abroad
Why did the war divide German society further?
- Factory owners made a fortune during the war, while worker’s wages have been restricted
- Women worked in factories; they believed that family traditions have been damaged
How has Germany become more politically unstable?
- mutiny and revolution
- many ex-soldiers and civilians felt that Germany could have won - felt they had been betrayed by the November criminals
What did Ebert do after signing the armistice?
- improved working conditions
- help for unemployed
- improved housing
- more food supplies
- guaranteed freedom of speech and freedom of religion
What did the Spartacists believe?
- communism
- wanted Germany to be run by small councils of soldiers and workers rather than a large parliament
Describe the Spartacist revolt
- 6th January 1919 - they tried to take over Berlin
- Thousands roamed the streets, firing guns and tried to take over important building
- Ebert’s response - sent a group of Free corps to attack them
- After three days of brutal fighting, the Free corps recaptured the buildings and arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebnacht, who were murdered
