Revolution or Not Essay

Question 1

Introduction

Background Sentences

Answer 1

Between 1918 and the end of 1919, Germany underwent a series of events that became known as the German Revolution. This resulted in Germany changing from a monarchy with Kaiser Wilhelm, into a democratic nation with a civilian government.

Question 2

Introduction

Factors

Answer 2

This essay will discuss the possibility that there was a full-blown revolution or if there was none at all. It will also discuss the argument that there was only a revolutionary situation in Germany.

Question 3

Introduction

Line of Argument

Answer 3

This essay will argue that there was a revolutionary situation in Germany in 1918-1919. Due to the defeat in WWI, many Germans were angered by this and seeked out new leadership, and to demostrate their feelings towards the new system through strikes and the forming of soviets.

Question 4

Introduction

Historiography

Answer 4

This view is backed up by Kolb while others such as Wietz emphasises the role of naval mutinies in pushing their argument that there was only a revolutionary situation.

Question 5

Revolutionary Situation

What is Burgfrieden?

Answer 5

Agreed in 1914, Burgfrieden was a declaration where political parties agreed to be peaceful with one another for the duration of the war. However, in 1917 Burgfrieden broke down and different political parties came out as against continuing the war. In July 1917 the Reichstag voted for peace.

Question 6

Revolutionary Situation

What was the Spring Offensive?

Answer 6

The Spring Offensive was Germany’s first chance of getting closer to winning the war in 1918, as in late 1917 Russia surrendered and Germany could now fight on one front only. However, Germany couldn’t hold out for much longer and was forced to play offensive as they were lacking in resources and supplies.

Question 7

Revolutionary Situation

Analysis - morale

Answer 7

This significantly contributed to the argument that there was a revolutionary situation in Germany as due to the military defeats of the army in WWI which caused morale within Germany to start to decrease after the many failures of the German army, proving the incompetence of Germany leaders and turning many towards revolutionary groups.

Question 8

Revolutionary Situation

Analysis

Answer 8

Similarly, due to the lack of resources from having to fight on two fronts the German army was slowly losing their fight in the war. This caused the German public to lose hope in the army and its leadership as they didn’t believe that the army was going to be strong enough to win the war, even after Russia had surrendered, causing a revolutionary situation to emerge.

Question 9

Revolutionary Situation

Historiography

Answer 9

Kolb argues that the defeat in WWI was the most important reason for the German revolution, therefore Kolb argues that there was a revolutionary situation. Kolb believes that the revolution began to gain support and recognition once the war was lost and the public started to lose faith in the Kaiser’s leadership.

Question 10

Revolutionary Situation

Evaluation

Answer 10

Therefore, it was shown that there was a revolutionary situation occurring in Germany because the defeat in WWI was the starting point for the thought of a revolution as many Germans were angered at the government’s decision in regards to the end of the war and decided to revolt against the government in hopes of a change in power/leadership.

Question 11

No Revolution

What happened in November with Kudendorff and the Kaiser?

Answer 11

In November 1918, Ludendorff persuaded the Kaiser to abdicate and to hand over power to a new civilian government as many political parties were starting to withdraw their support. He elected Prince Max Von Baden into the position of leading the new civilian government, in which he introduced the October Reforms, in hopes that this action would prevent a revolution from taking place.

Question 12

No Revolution

What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?

Answer 12

On the 7th November 1918, Friedrich Ebert and General Groener secretly made a deal which ensured that the army would lend its support to the new civilian government, and in return that the new civilian government would maintain the army’s current command structure, ensuring that they remained in power and control of the important sectors in Germany’s society.

Question 13

No Revolution

Analysis

Answer 13

On the one hand, people like Ludendorff and Ebert, who were already in charge of the army and government, were responsible for the major political decisions at this time, not the people of Germany, causing there to be no change in power during this time proving there to be no revolution taking place.

Question 14

No Revolution

Analysis +

Answer 14

On the other hand, Max Von Baden, under increasing pressure from the armed forces due to the October Reforms, was forced to hand power over to a new civilian government, showing that those from above were acting in response to the pressure from below, therefore those from below held a strong level of influence, showing that some form of a revolution had taken place due to the change in influence.

Question 15

No Revolution

Evaluation

Answer 15

While it is true that there was very limited change in power in 1918-1919 however there was still a revolutionary situation as those who are consider above, due to the increasing pressure from the German citizens, a change in power had taken place, since a new civilian government was put into place wthout the leadership of Prince Max von Baden.

Question 16

Full-blown Revolution

What happened in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven?

Answer 16

In Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, sailors erupted into widespread mutinies after the German admiralty gave orders for one last major North Sea battle. On November 3rd, the sailors at Kiel, joined by workers from the nearby city and took control of their ships as well as formed elected councils.

Question 17

Full-blown Revolution

What happened in the Spartacist Revolt?

Answer 17

On the 6th January, a general strike was called where 100,000 workers went on strike and targeted important buildings for the government. The Friekorps, called upon by Ebert, came to put a stop to the strike, which ended in the assisination of the leaders of the Spartacists, and where the remaining members were forced to go underground along with the party.

Question 18

Full-blown Revolution

Analysis

Answer 18

As a result of these small revolutions, the leaders were able to see the vast amount of support they were receiving, which gave them the confidence to continue to strike in hopes of finally having their voices heard. From these strikes, this gave the inspiration from the Spartacist Revolt to take place in January 1919.

Question 19

Full-blown Revolution

Analysis +

Answer 19

However, on the other hand, the anger seen across the country from within Germany’s troops was directed towards the war. The armed forces returned to relatively high levels of obedience to the state after the end of the war, which was shown when SPD deputy Gustav Noske arrived at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven and managed to take control over the soviets uprising, under the orders of the new government, showing there to be a revolutionary situation, but no real revolution taking place.

Question 20

Full-blown Revolution

Historiography

Answer 20

Wietz differs from Kolb’s view when he argues that the revolution started after the events at Kiel as the soviets formed took action and were challenging those in power. In Wietz’s view, the spark of the revolution was the mutinies, and that a full-blown revolution had taken place.

Question 21

Full-blown Revolution

Evaluation

Answer 21

Therefore, it can be shown that there was a revolutionary situation in 1918-19 because the soldiers involved with the mutinies wouldn’t have joined if they weren’t wronged by the politicians who signed the armistice therfore, invalidating all the effort the soldiers put into the war.

Question 22

Conclusion

Line of Argument

Answer 22

This essay will argue that there was a revolutionary situations in Germany in 1918-1919. Due to the defeat in WWI, many Germans were angered by this and seeked out new leadership, and to demostrate their feelings towards the new system through strikes and the forming of soviets.

Question 23

Conclusion

Revolutionary Situation

Answer 23

Due to the many defeats of the army during the war, the German public started to lose hope in the leadership of the Kaiser and seeked out a new form of governance which they hoped would provide the German public with more opportunities for them to have their say.This supports the argument that as this provided the background for all the decisions that were being made in Germany after the war.

Question 24

Conclusion

No Revolution

Answer 24

After the war was finished, those who were in power remained in power and therefore were responsible for any political action that was to be taken. There was no share of the responsibilities to the public, which caused the public to put pressure on the government, specifically Max Von Baden in hopes of allowing the public to have more say in political decisions. However, it can be argued further that there was a revolutionary situation as those who are considered as above were only reacting to the army’s defeat in the war, which was spearheaded by the Kaiser, however if the Kaiser proved to be a competent leader then there would be no need to have a change in leadership.

Question 25

Conclusion

Full-blown Conclusion

Answer 25

Due to the vast amount of support that the small strikes were receiving, many of the leaders like Luxemburg and Liebknecht decided to take a step further and planned the more extreme strikes in order to get their opinions heard. However, much of the anger that the soldiers and strikers had was directed towards the war and their failures in it. This meant that after the war their loyalty remained within the state and didn’t show any form of defiance in terms of the new form of leadership, showing that there was a revolutionary situation starting in Germany after the many defeats in the war. However, there was only a revolutionary situation because the soldiers involved with the mutinies wouldn’t have joined if they weren’t wronged by the politicians who signed the armistice.