The end of WWI and the fall of Kaiser Wilhelm II Flashcards
Revolution and unrest in Germany
1) The Ludendorff Offensive failed, there was and allied breakthrough on the Hindenburg line along with the impact of the British Naval Blockade and Spanish Flu
2) The German revolution began when sailors in Wilhelmshaven and Kiel rose up to form a socialist revolution in Bavaria led by Eisner.
3) Kaiser Wilhelm II then abdicated and was exiled to Holland for the rest of his life.
4) Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) became Chancellor
Formation of the Weimar Republic
1) A new government called the Weimar republic was named under the chancellorship of the social democrat Friedrich Ebert
2) The armistice was signed and came into effect on 11/11/11/1918
Why did the Germans hope the allies wouldn’t be too harsh on them?
1) The war was started when the Serbian Mafia assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914
2) Their leader, Kaiser Wilhelm II had been overthrown by them
3) Germany would never recover if harsh economic terms were imposed
4) Wilson’s 14 points stated that Germany should not be treated too harshly
Where did the stab-in-the-back idea come from?
It was a common view among German conservatives that the army had been betrayed by civilians
Who were the November Criminals?
The group of people who started the revolution in Germany in 1918. This view which shifted blame from the German army was very popular and widely accepted, weakening the Weimar Republic which would rise from the ashes of post-war Germany.
