The Impact of war and the political crisis of October to November 1918 Flashcards
The Peace Note: How it impacted the people?
On 3 Oct Prince Max wrote to President Wilson asking for an armistice. Wilson replied demanding that Germany evacuate all occupied territory, call an end to submarine warfare and fully democratise the political system. Effectively asking for a German surrender and kaiser abdication. Ludendorff attempted to resist In a military effort but failed and fled to Sweden. This admission of defeat undermined the Germans respect for the Kaiser, military and political leaders. On oct 28th Germany naval high command resisted in the form of sending an attack on British ships. This naval mutiny was the beginning of a larger revolutionary movement.
November Revolution of 1918:
On 3rd Nov 1918 sailors mutinied against officers taking control of the base the next day revolt spread to the city and worker and soldier councils were established.
On 9th Nov SPD called workers in Berlin to strike for the Kaisers abdication threatening withdrawing support of Prince Max if he didn’t abdicate within the next 24 hours. The kaiser still refused and Max was forced to release a statement of abdication without the Kaisers knowledge. The next day Prince Max resigned and handed the position of chancellor to Friedrich Ebert SPD leader. Kaiser lack of support from army gave him no choice but accept his fate.
Who is Friedrich Ebert?
A member of the SPD party and the first chancellor in the new German Republic in Nov 1918 and first President in 1919.
Who is Prince Max of Baden?
Former army officer who had widespread respect due to his work improving conditions for prisoners of war. He was also Chancellor under the last months of the Kaisers reign
What were Eberts biggest concerns when chosen for Chancellor?
As he came to power through a revolutionary movement he was aware his gov lacked legitimacy. for this reason he was determined to for a new constitution quickly ,right after the armistice on 11th Nov, he then organised elections for a constitutional assembly. And urged germans to maintain law and order, avoid street demonstrations and keep essential services running
The Spartacist League (later KPD) in 1918:
- Led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
- Aims included: republican gov controlled by workers and soldiers councils, welfare benefits, nationalisation, workers control of major industries, disbanding of army and creation of local workers militias.
- supported by workers on rallies and street demonstrations
- membership of 5,000 people
When was the armistice?
11 November
Pressure from the left:
- worker and soldier councils the USPD and Spartacist League founded established a foothold.
November 22nd agreement between government and councils:
the gov accepted that it only exercised power in the name of these councils - temporary council
Why was there a pressure from the right?
because most army officers came from an aristocratic background and had been loyal to kaiser - did not want to see Germany become a republic
What is the Ebert-Groener Pact?
On Nov 10th Groener telephoned Ebert to assure him the army would support the gov . In return Groener demanded that Ebert should resist the demands of the soldiers’ councils to democratise the army and defend Germany against a communist revolution.
What are additional struggles for power after the Ebert-Groener Pact:
- 6 Dec there was a Spartacist demonstration in Berlin which killed 16 civilians
- 23-24 Dec - sailors revolt put down by army - in protest 3 USPD government ministers resigned
- 6 Jan spartacists launched a full revolt in Berlin that lasted a week
When were the elections for the Constituent Assembly?
19 Jan 1919
Who had the largest percentage of the vote in the 1919 constituent assembly ?
SPD
in coalition with the centre and German Democratic parites
Who was the first president of the Republic ?
Ebert
Who was the new government led by ?
Philip Scheidemann
What is proportional representation ?
a system of elections in which parties are allocated seats in parliament according to the proportion of votes they receive
Strengths of the constitution ?
- provided a larger right to vote than in other countries - women could vote
- proportional representation enabled small parties to gain seats in the Reichstag and influence gov decisions
- full democracy
- it set out rights of the individual such as freedom and personal liberty
- referendums could be called upon by the president or at peoples demand
Weaknesses of the constitution:
- proportional representation had two clear consequences
- it allowed smaller parties to exploit system to gain publicity
- coalition governments
What is autocracy ?
a system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of one person
What institutions are originally autocratic ?
- army
- civil service
- judiciary
Problems present in the army during this time:
General Seeckt, commander-in-Chief of the army in 1920 believed he owed loyalty not to the republic but German nationalism and a Reich which presents this
What were civil servants given under the Weimar constitution ?
the guarantee of ‘well-earned rights’ and freedom of political opinion as long as this did not conflict with their loyalty to the state
What did keeping the civil service result in?
government administration being left in the hands of the anti-democratic
