Source question- Erzberger peace revolution

Question 1

What was Erzberger’s concerns with Germany during 1917?

Answer 1

• realised Germany were not capable of winning the war, especially with 2 million US soldiers being drafted in within 2 years
• the submarine warfare was not working and their allies in the Austro-hungary war were preparing to withdraw

Question 2

What was Germanys domestic situation like in 1917?

Answer 2

-The rise of the working classes in 1917 saw them face a political crisis, as they were beginning to strike, with 1.5 million workers striking in 1917 as they lost morale and questioned the armies ability to win the war

Question 3

How did Erzberger try to use to reichstag to end the war?

Answer 3

-he presented a peace revolution to the recichstag, with members of the Z party, NL and SPD drafted it up. This was to be an alternative to the Kreuznach meeting and was approved in July 1917 by 86 votes, calling for lasting peace

Question 4

What was the military reaction to Erzbergers resolution??

Answer 4

• Ludendorff and Hindenburg hated the resolution but used it to drive Bethmann out of office in 1917, claiming they couldnt work with him and threatening to resign if he didnt go
• replaced by Michaelis who was a completely weak leader and was even easier for the silent dictatorship to control over
• the military used its power to get one million people in support of overruling the peace resolution and undermining the powers of reichstag; shows the extent to which the military held considerable political power, especially under the silent dictatorship