Politcal Threats To WR 1919-23 Flashcards
Aims of the Spartacus Uprising
Against Weimar Republic and parliamentary democracy (not participate in elections)
- wanted to improve workers conditions
- not support demo elected parliaments. Want workers’ councils (soviets) to run G
Leaders of the Sprtacist Uprising
Led by USPD and Spartacus league. Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg
What happened during the Spartacist Uprising (6)
- 5 Jan 1919 Spartacist launch armed uprising 1000 strong in Berlin to try overthrow Eberts provisional govt
- occupied public buildings, called for general strike and formed revolutionary committee
- 3 days savage street fighting
- govt brutally put down uprising w help of Freikorps
- Gustav Noske (SPD defence minister) ordered army to put down rising
- 1000s killed incl Liebknecht and Luxembourg
Why did the Spartacist uprising fail
- leaders badly divided over aims
- no real strategy
Layton says leaders “detached from political realities”
Impact of the Spartacist Uprising (5)
- use of freikorps, who despised repub, showed weakness of govt and caused bitter recriminations within the left
- govt had to relocate in Weimar Saxony
- Spartacists (later KPD) never forgave govt and relations between SPD and KPD remained poisoned for years to come. Left wing divided
- KPD kept challenging govt, secured 10-15% vote 1919-23
- put military elite in a v good position as needed by govt
Why did the Bavarian Soviet Republic formed?
Inspired and modelled on communist govt in Russia, 18mts after Bolshevik revolution
How was the Bavarian Soviet Republic formed?
- Bavarian monarchy collapsed and taken over by USPD leader Eisner on 7 Nov 1918
- Soviet republic proclaimed March
- made own Red Army and workers councils by Levine
- lasted several weeks until 1 May 1919 when govt troops and Freikorps suppressed it
How many died in the suppression of the Bavarian Soviet Republic?
Over 600 killed by Freikorps and over 1000 govt volunteers killed
Impact of the Bavarian Soviet Republic
Spartacist uprising and this proved G in split between extreme LW and RW.
Moderates and govt had lil power unless side w RW and Army
Why did the Red Ruhr Rising happen?
Hoped to exploit fact that helped govt put down Kapp Putsch 2 days before. Hoped to force govt concessions
What happened in the Red Ruhr rising?
A ‘Red Army’ formed by 50 000 socialist workers
Ironically, rising suppressed by Freikorps
How many deaths occurred from the Red Ruhr rising?
Over 1000 workers and 250 policeman and soldiers killed
Impact of Red Ruhr Rising
Showed firm action if govt against LW via immediate action, brutality and numerous on the spot executions
Weak govt as still rely on Freikorps
What was the German October of 1923?
A wave of communist uprisings in Saxony, Thuringia and Hamburg
Why did the German October happen?
- happened against a background of financial instability provoked by reparations crisis
- Comintern (Russian revolutionary org to spread communism) wanted to org German October inspired by Bolshevik revolution of October 1917
What happened in the German October? (6)
- SPD and KPD formed coalition in Saxony and communists pledged to use ‘Proletarian hundreds’ (paramilitary units)
- Reich troops overthrew govt and suppressed strikers
- Saxony and Thuringia uprising s crushed before off ground
- Hamburg, army used to suppress uprising.
- Saxony’s SPD prime minister Zeigner resisted and art 48 used to remove govt
- All SPD govt then put in Saxony
Why did German October fail?
- missed opportunity for communists
- KPD’s approach hesitant and foolish