The November Revolution Flashcards

1
Q

What is a mutiny?

A

A rebellion, especially by sailors or soldiers

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2
Q

When did the German Supreme Naval Command decide to launch an attack on the British navy?

A

November 1918

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3
Q

How did sailors in Wilhelmshaven respond to the order to attack the British?

A

They refused to follow orders from their commanders

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4
Q

Where did the mutiny at Wilhelmshaven spread to?

A

The German town of Kiel, where sailors and workers began to protest. The event became known as the Kiel Mutiny

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5
Q

What type of council was first established in Kiel?

A

Workers’ and Soldiers’ Council, which took control of the town. These councils soon spread all over Germany

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6
Q

What political idea did the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils support?

A

Socialism

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7
Q

What did the leaders of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils want?

A

Freedom of speech, removal of the Kaiser and an end to WWI

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8
Q

What happened in the German state of Bavaria

A

A Workers’ and Soldiers’ Council was set up and Bavaria declared itself as an independent republic

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9
Q

When did the Kaiser abdicate?

A

10th November 1918, even though it was announced the day before

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10
Q

Why did the Kaiser abdicate?

A

He no longer had the support of the army or the people of Germany

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11
Q

Who became German Chancellor (leader) on 9th November 1918?

A

Friedrich Ebert

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12
Q

Which political party did Ebert belong to?

A

Social Democratic Party (SPD)

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13
Q

What is the German parliament called?

A

The Reichstag

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14
Q

When did Germany become a democratic republic?

A

9th November 1918

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15
Q

When was the armistice to end WWI signed?

A

11th November 1918

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16
Q

What were the aims of the SPD?

A

Greater rights for workers and an increased level of democracy

17
Q

What was the biggest challenge for Ebert once he became chancellor?

A

Establishing control and order - he had not been prepared to take on this role

18
Q

What improvements did Ebert’s government make as soon as it took power?

A

Freedom of speech, political prisoners were freed, an 8 hour working day was introduced and unemployment benefits (payments) were introduced

19
Q

Why did Ebert want to hold elections in 1918?

A

To create a new National Assembly (parliament) to solve problems in Germany

20
Q

Who was General Groener?

A

A German army leader who offered to support Ebert’s new government

21
Q

Why was the Ebert-Groener Pact important?

A

The pact (agreement) meant that the German army would support Ebert and his government

22
Q

What problems did Germany face at the end of WWI?

A

3 million soldiers returned to Germany and many of them were unemployed. Food shortages were severe

23
Q

How many people were unemployed in Berlin in January 1919?

A

250 000

24
Q

Who were the Spartacists?

A

German communists

25
Q

What was the aim of the Spartacists?

A

To lead a communist revolution in Germany

26
Q

The Spartacists wanted a counter-revolution. Who did they want to overthrow?

A

Ebert

27
Q

What did the Spartacists become known as?

A

The Communist Party of Germany (KPD)

28
Q

Where and when did the Spartacists try to hold a revolution?

A

Berlin, January 1919

29
Q

Who were the Freikorps?

A

Ex-soldiers who formed themselves into military units/groups. They were not part of the German army

30
Q

How could the Freikorps have been a danger for Ebert’s government?

A

They were not part of the regular army and could not be controlled easily

31
Q

How did the Freikorps help Ebert during the communist uprising?

A

They fought the communists and removed the threat of a revolution

32
Q

Besides Berlin, where else did the communists try to take power?

A

Bavaria. The Freikorps were used to crush the communists in this state