Revolution Fact Test Flashcards
Who did Wilhelm ask to form a govt on 1 Oct 1918?
. Prince Max von Baden
A moderate conservative
What was the main obstacle for peace after the chancellor had sought an armistice w President Wilson?
The removal of the Kaiser
What were the main constitutional reforms that turned Germany into a parliamentary democracy?
. 3 class franchise abolished in Prussia
. Kaisers power over military curtailed
. Chancellor became accountable to the Reichstag
What happened when Ludendorff recovered the nerve on the front line?
He ordered army commanders to resist surrender after realising many on the front line hadn’t lost morale + the Allied advance was slowing. Von Baden was appalled + gave Kaiser an ultimatum to choose between him or Ludendorff.
L resigned, fled to Sweden, armistice continued to be pursued
What was the peaceful transfer of powers from the Kaiser to the Reichstag known as?
A revolution from above
Despite the changes, why was there a revolutionary situation in existence by Oct 1918?
The reforms had been ill-publicised + public became aware that Wilhelm was a block to Wilson’s peace negotiations. Pressure mounted on Kaiser to abdicate, southern Germans blamed Prussia for the situation + some in Bavaria called for independence
What was the Kiel mutiny?
.29 Oct: rumours spread that a final ‘do or die’ assault would be launched against the British navy.
. Discontent from sailors spread from Wilhelmshaven to Kiel n workers n soldiers councils were set up based upon the Soviet model.
. But there was no full scale anti govt mutiny n govt sent a Majority Socialist rep to reassure sailors there’d be no ‘suicide offensive’
What was the impact of the Kiel mutiny?
.Spread discontent across Germany.
.By 8 Nov soviet style councils had been set up across most major cities.
.Peace was demanded and councils took control of local food supplies n services.
.In Bavaria, Kurt Eisner declared an independent socialist republic w little resistance.
How was Wilhelm forced into abdication?
.7 Nov: Majority Socialists threatened a general strike unless W abdicate n socialists given more power in govt.
.Von Baden failed to persuade W to abdicate n a general strike went ahead on 9 Nov.
.Socialist leaders Ebert n Scheidemann notified Von Baden they had support of army n so chancellor had no choice but to announce W abdication.
.Von B then resigned n E formed new govt.
What were Ebert’s main aims as new Imperial Chancellor?
He wanted to secure an armistice to end the war n prevent Germany’s descent into civil strife
How did Ebert attempt to ease tensions between left n revolutionary left?
. He was aware that the Revolutionary Shop Stewards aimed to set up provisional govt based upon the Russian model
. He offered USPD seats in the govt which they finally accepted w 21 votes in favour n 19 against
What conditions did the USPD demand in order for them to accept Ebert’s deal?
. Only socialists should be included in the govt n National Assembly elections should be delayed til ‘revolution’ was complete
. Ebert accepted conditions n 10 Nov, the Council of People’s Commissars was formed
What were the Allied conditions for armistice?
The change in govt wasn’t enough. They instead on:
- withdrawal of German troops beyond the Rhine
- a surrender of u-boats, surface fleets n airforce
- repudiation of Brest-Litovsk treaty which given Germany extra territory
- an acceptance of the blockade continuing til final peace treaty was signed
When was the armistice finally signed?
11 Nov 1918
How badly had Germany suffered by the time the armistice had been signed?
Over 6mil military casualties of which over 2mil had died
A further 624k civilians deaths could be attributed to the war
What was the Ebert-Groener pact?
General Groener asked for Ebert’s resistance against Bolshevism n preservation of army officers power in exchange for army’s support of govt.
For radical left, this was seen as Ebert’s betrayal of revolution
What was the Stinnes-Legien agreement?
. Trade unions led by Carl Legien agreed that they’d not interfere w private ownership if they were guaranteed full legal recognition n workers councils would help regulate pay n conditions
. The agreement was agreed by industrialists led by Hugo Stinnes n settled workers’ grievances n also strengthened Ebert’s position
Why did 3 Independent Socialists resign from govt on 29 Dec 1918?
. Disgruntled sailors had occupied the former royal palace in a protest against non-payment of back pay
. Ebert ordered troops in to remove the sailors without the knowledge/approval of the Independent Socialists in cabinet which incensed the left
. Led to ministers resignation n growing opposition towards Ebert on the streets
Who were the initial leaders of the German Communist Party?
Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
How did Ebert respond to the Spartacist rising?
. 1st tried to negotiate w Sparticists but failed
. Then turned to Groener n the army, which included newly recruited right wing ex-soldiers organised into Freikorps to crush the revolt.
. Karl n Rosa were shot in police custody n Ebert’s action led to the Independent Socialists agreeing w the Communists that Ebert had sold out to the conservative forces of imperial Germany
