Impacts of the war on the Republic (CH1)

Question 1

What did the Kaiser do on the 9th of November 1918?

Answer 1

He abdicated and flew to the Netherlands

Question 2

What choice did Germany have by 1918?

Answer 2

• To continue fighting and risk total defeat
• Make peace now on reasonable terms

Question 3

What did Wilson want?

Answer 3

He wanted Germany to be made more democratic

Question 4

What leads to the abdication of the Kaiser?

Answer 4

• The kaiser refused to make Germany more democratic but the people wanted the war to end
• On 28 Oct, the navy chiefs refused to carry out orders
• Workers and soldiers joined the sailors and took control of the town of Kiel
• They set up their own councils
• Kaiser couldn’t do anything and lost the support of the army

Question 5

When was the November armistice signed and by who?

Answer 5

Ebert signed the armistice on the 11th of November 1918
The politicians were called the ‘November criminals’

Question 6

Give 4 economic impacts on the Republic

Answer 6

• The British blockade prevented important supplies from entering
• Germany spent 3.9 billion on the war and still had to pay the allies back, the economy was in ruins
• National income was a third lower
• Industrial production was much lower than in 1918

Question 7

Give 4 social impacts on the Republic

Answer 7

-The British blockade created severe food shortages and left thousands starving
- Many died because of a disease (influenza)
- 1.8 million soldiers lost their life
- 600,000 widows and 2 million children without their father
- Huge gaps between the living standards of rich and poor