Second Reich collapse 1918-1919 Flashcards
What was the Reichstag ?
Parliment
Who was the Kaiser ?
“King of Germany”
What was the Reichstract ?
The government
Why was imperial Germany so economically developed ?
Many skilled German scientists that were ahead of their time creating products such as fertiliser
Why were working conditions so bad in Germany ?
Extreme industrialisation left workers rights behind
When did the Kaiser hand over his power to the Reichstag ?
September 1918
Who advised the Kaiser to give up his power completely ?
Ludendorff & Hindenburg
Why did Ludendorff & Hindenburg advise the Kaiser to step down completely ?
- could blame loss of WW1 on next people in power
- Lenient treatment from Allies in TOV
- Public frustration due to poor working conditions
- Could have been a revolution risking their lives
When was the Kiel Mutiny ?
November 1918
What happened in the Kiel Mutiny ?
Naval soldiers mutinied against orders and instead set up a soviet in Kiel
What was significant about the Kiel Mutiny ?
Many other important cities followed creating local governments which were more respected than Prince Max’s
Who was Prince Max ?
Leader of the interim government after the Kaiser had handed power to the Reichstag
Why was the Kaiser forced to fully step down from power ?
Because Prince Max tried to open talks with Allies but they wouldn’t comply until the Kaiser had completely gone. Outcry in the streets followed
When did the Kaiser step down ?
9th November 1918
After the Kaiser had stepped down what changed in the interim government ?
It made way for the leaders of the local soviets as they were better respected and had greater power
Who became the leader of the interim government after the soviets had taken control ?
Friedrich Ebert
What was the Ebert-Groener pact of November 1918 ?
Army promised to combat the threat of Bolshevism if the government upheld discipline in the Army
What was the Stinnes-Legien agreement of November1918 ?
A long-term demand of the trade unions, 8 hour day, was agreed
Why was the November armistice important ?
Because the German army became frustrated with the German government and therefore made it difficult to know whether they would serve them . Hence why the German government formed the Freikorps
What was the Freikorps ?
A privately organised military to maintain order in Germany as the Army were unreliable
Why did people join the Freikorps ?
Mercenary reasons & Fear of Marxism
Why did the socialists now in charge split apart ?
Because they all realised that Germany’s future was now in their hands and they all wanted to change it their way precisely
How many soldiers were in the Freikorps ?
400,000
What were now the 3 different types of socialist party ?
SPD
KPD
Independent socialists
What did the SPD want ?
Socialism with democratic principles
What did he KPD want ?
Hardcore Marxism
What did the Independent Socialists want ?
Hardcore Marxism
What was agreed between all 3 socialist groups ?
A National Assembly would be held to decide the new government or committee which would be expected to create the new Weimar constitution
Which type of parties did the best in the National Assembly ?
Democratic favoured
What % did democratic parties win in the National Assembly ?
76.9%
What was the belief many held why democratic parties did so well ?
Democratic parties favoured by the Allies which would result in more lenient treatment from them in the TOV
What were the 3 most influential and important parts of the Weimar constitution ?
Article 48
Proportional representation
Citizens rights
