The October Crisis/November Revolution (1918)

Question 1

Define Republic.

Answer 1

A government system with no monarch and a Head of State instead.

Question 2

Define Armistice.

Answer 2

An agreement that fighting will stop so they can negotiate a peace treaty.

Question 3

Define constitution.

Answer 3

A set of principles which, when established, govern a state.

Question 4

Define Revolution from above.

Answer 4

Large social and political changes imposed on a population by elites.

Question 5

Revolution from below.

Answer 5

When people overthrow social order or a government by force.

Question 6

Mutiny.

Answer 6

When sailors or soldiers revolt.

Question 7

Soviets.

Answer 7

Soldiers’ and workers’ councils established in the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Question 8

Name some key information about Hindenburg and Ludendorff.

Answer 8

Hindenburg - Professional landowner and an aristocratic landowner who defeated the Russians in the 1915 battle of Tannenberg. he became Chief of the General staff in 1916.

Ludendorff - He helped defeat the Russian army as well. Joined with Hindenburg in 1916 in engineering the Chancellor’s overthrow before becoming a military committee member.

Question 9

When was the Kaiser’s abdication announced?

Answer 9

9th November 1918 at 1:30pm.

Question 10

How did Wilhelm react to his abdication?

Answer 10

He was unsure at first but on November 10th 10 cars were removed (some with royal insignia). He claimed to be a broken man and moved into a new apartment, alone on Armistice (11th November).

Question 11

What did Ludendorff conclude about Germany’s defeat?

Answer 11

Asking for armistice would be less humiliating.

Question 12

How did Ludendorff react to Wilson’s Fourteen Points?

Answer 12

Advocated for partial democratisation.

Question 13

What were the Fourteen Points?

Answer 13

A way to fairly deal with the war’s aftermath.
France to receive Alsace Lorraine.
Establish a League of Nations.

Question 14

Why did Ludendorff want virtual parliamentary democracy?

Answer 14

A better peace term.
Prevent disturbances of revolutions.
He could blame defeat on the government - Doltchstoss and the armistice signers deemed November criminals.

Question 15

The Kaiser’s October Reforms.

Answer 15

1. Chancellor - Prince max of Baden.
2. New government based on Reichstag parties (now under Chancellor’s control).
3. Armed forces under government control.

Question 16

What happened with the Peace Note?

Answer 16

Wilson was suspicious and demanded Germany to evacuate territory, end warfare with submarines, surrender, get the Kaiser to abdicate and full democracy to which Ludendorff refused and ran to Sweden The people striked on 22n October and the Navy mutinied on 28th October.

Question 17

What happened in the November Revolution?

Answer 17

3rd - Kiel Navy base mutiny.
4th - Soviets established.
6th - revolts in cities and ports.
8th - Prince Max decided he had lost power and Bavaria a republic.
9th - SPD called a general strike, Max overruled the Kaiser, abdicated and Ebert became Chancellor. Scheidemann declared Germany a Republic, Groener said the army no longer supported the Kaiser and he abdicated.

Question 18

What is the ‘Stab in the Back’?

Answer 18

It was weak and unpatriotic politicians’ fault and the government failed to support the military. As well it was the fault of unrest and the revolution’s fault. This criticised the Weimar Republic.