The Impact of War and the Political Crises of October - November, 1918 Flashcards
What was the economy in the Second Reich like?
Germany became a leading industrial nation by 1900. It was the most urbanised country in Europe, with 60% of the population living in towns. The rapidly expanding number of industrial workers were increasingly discontented with their poor working and living conditions. More joined the SDP and formed unions leading strikes and campaigns for better working conditions. This reinforced conservatism in the middle-class voters and industrialists.
Who were the Junkers?
The Junkers were traditional aristocrats who owned land in East Prussia. They also held the majority of key positions in the Second Reich as army officers, diplomats, senior civil servants and judges. They resented Reichstag, whose members spoke about reform, which they were wholeheartedly against. They were also fearful of a socialist regime.
How was the Second Reich established?
The First Reich was the Holy Roman Empire of the German People, made up of mostly German States. It dissolved in 1506. Many people in German-speaking states wanted to become united by popular consent and democratic elections. In 1871, Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor of Prussia united the German states with a Prussian victory against France in the Franco-Prussian war. The King of Prussia was declared the German Kaiser.
What was the role of the Kaiser in the Second Reich?
The Kaiser was a hereditary monarch who appointed and dismissed the government. He could dissolve Reichstag, and control foreign policy and the armed forces.
What was the role of the government in the Second Reich?
The Chancellor and other ministers were appointed and dismissed by the Kaiser. They proposed new laws to the Reichstag, and weren’t dependant on the Reichstag’s support to stay in office.
What was the role of the Reichstag in the Second Reich?
The members of the Reichstag were elected by universal male suffrage. Although they could not remove the Chancellor or the government, they could agree or reject to laws proposed by the Kaiser or government.
What was the role the Reichscrat?
This was an assembly of ambassadors from the 26 state governments and could veto any legislation passed by the Reichstag.
What was the role of the electorate?
Men over 25 voted in Reichstag elections every three years and for local stated assemblies. Although there was a written constitution, there was no statement of individual rights.
What was the number of deputies of the main political parties in the Reichstag during the Secind Reich?
CONSERVATIVES - 1884: 78, 1898: 56, 1912: 43
PROGRESSIVES - 1884: 67, 1898: 41, 1912: 42
SPD - 1884: 24, 1898: 56, 1912: 110
What was the sense of nationalism like in the Second Reich?
Prussian and other German states united because of their desire to form a strong, united, German state. By the 1890s, some Germans were being influenced by the theory of ‘social Darwinism’ in which only a strong state could prosper. Some Germans were concerned about the biological degeneration of the nation, which was linked with growing anti-semitism as increasing numbers of Orthodox Jewish refugees fled persecution in Russia.
What was the economic impact of the First World War on Germany?
Only 16% of the cost of the war was met by taxation, and the war was generally funded by printing more money which meant inflation rose. The mark lost 75% of its value between 1913 and 1918.
What was the social impact of the First World War on Germany?
Real earnings fell by 20-30%. The British naval blockade meant that there were major food and fuel shortages. Meat consumption fell by 12%. The 1917 was known as the ‘turnip winter’. They had lost more that 2 million soldiers.
What were the deaths from starvation and hypothermia?
1916: 121, 000
1918: 293, 000
142% increase.
What were the political developments during the war?
1914: Many Germans had rallied to war, but by 1917 this unity was breaking down.
1916: Kaiser Wilhelm II gave more political power to top military leaders, General Erich Ludendorff and Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg.
1917: April - Members of the SPD opposed to war formed the USPD.
Why were the October Reforms brought in?
In 1918 following the recommendations of General Ludendorff, the Kaiser introduced constitutional reforms that ended his autocratic rule. Ludendorff knew Germany would lose the war and advocated for partial democratisation so that the Allies would be more inclined to make a compromising peace settlement.
What were the October Reforms?
*A civilian government led by Prince Max of Baden was established.
*The Chancellor was the responsible to the Reichstag.
*Baden’s government was based on the majority parties in the Reichstag, including members of the SPD.
*The armed forces were put under the control of the civil government.
What was the Peace Note?
On the 3rd October, Prince Max wrote to President Woodrow Wilson asking for an abdication. Wilson took 3 weeks to respond largely because he was suspicious this was an attempt to buy time and regroup.
What was Wilson’s response to the Peace Note?
Wilson responded that if Germany wanted an armistice, Germany must evacuate all occupied land, end submarine warfare and fully democratise its political system. Ludendorff tried to gather support for a final military effort which failed, and he fled to Sweden.
ERNST TOLLER - Jewish writer and member of the Independent Socialist Party recalling the events of 1918 in 1933 autobiography:
‘They had no idea of the impending catastrophe. So it was all for nothing - the millions dead, the millions wounded, the starvation at home….why hadn’t they been told the truth?’
