The November Revolution Flashcards
What is a mutiny?
A rebellion, especially by sailors or soldiers
When did the German Supreme Naval Command decide to launch an attack on the British navy?
November 1918
How did sailors in Wilhelmshaven respond to the order to attack the British?
They refused to follow orders from their commanders
Where did the mutiny at Wilhelmshaven spread to?
The German town of Kiel, where sailors and workers began to protest. The event became known as the Kiel Mutiny
What type of council was first established in Kiel?
Workers’ and Soldiers’ Council, which took control of the town. These councils soon spread all over Germany
What political idea did the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils support?
Socialism
What did the leaders of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils want?
Freedom of speech, removal of the Kaiser and an end to WWI
What happened in the German state of Bavaria
A Workers’ and Soldiers’ Council was set up and Bavaria declared itself as an independent republic
When did the Kaiser abdicate?
10th November 1918, even though it was announced the day before
Why did the Kaiser abdicate?
He no longer had the support of the army or the people of Germany
Who became German Chancellor (leader) on 9th November 1918?
Friedrich Ebert
Which political party did Ebert belong to?
Social Democratic Party (SPD)
What is the German parliament called?
The Reichstag
When did Germany become a democratic republic?
9th November 1918
When was the armistice to end WWI signed?
11th November 1918
What were the aims of the SPD?
Greater rights for workers and an increased level of democracy
What was the biggest challenge for Ebert once he became chancellor?
Establishing control and order - he had not been prepared to take on this role
What improvements did Ebert’s government make as soon as it took power?
Freedom of speech, political prisoners were freed, an 8 hour working day was introduced and unemployment benefits (payments) were introduced
Why did Ebert want to hold elections in 1918?
To create a new National Assembly (parliament) to solve problems in Germany
Who was General Groener?
A German army leader who offered to support Ebert’s new government
Why was the Ebert-Groener Pact important?
The pact (agreement) meant that the German army would support Ebert and his government
What problems did Germany face at the end of WWI?
3 million soldiers returned to Germany and many of them were unemployed. Food shortages were severe
How many people were unemployed in Berlin in January 1919?
250 000
Who were the Spartacists?
German communists
What was the aim of the Spartacists?
To lead a communist revolution in Germany
The Spartacists wanted a counter-revolution. Who did they want to overthrow?
Ebert
What did the Spartacists become known as?
The Communist Party of Germany (KPD)
Where and when did the Spartacists try to hold a revolution?
Berlin, January 1919
Who were the Freikorps?
Ex-soldiers who formed themselves into military units/groups. They were not part of the German army
How could the Freikorps have been a danger for Ebert’s government?
They were not part of the regular army and could not be controlled easily
How did the Freikorps help Ebert during the communist uprising?
They fought the communists and removed the threat of a revolution
Besides Berlin, where else did the communists try to take power?
Bavaria. The Freikorps were used to crush the communists in this state
