The Origins of the Republic, 1918-19 Flashcards
Describe the Impact of the First World War on Germany
-Fighting had lasted four years, from 1914 to 1918.
-Eleven million Germans fought in the war. Almost two million German troops died and over four million were wounded- so 55% of German troops became casualties.
-The cost of the war meant that the German government’s debts trebled between 1914 and 1918, from 50 billion marks to 150 billion marks.
Describe the Impact of the First World War on the German People
-The British navy had blockaded German ports, preventing German ships bringing food into the country. Over 750,000 Germans died because of food shortages during the War.
-As a result of this suffering, Germany started to crumble from within before it was ever defeated on the battlefield. There was great unrest in Germany before the surrender.
-In Berlin, it was clear that Kaiser Wilhelm and his ministers had lost control of Germany.
Describe the Unrest in Germany at the End of the First World War
-In Stuttgart, at the Daimler plant, workers went on strike and demonstrated in the streets. In Hanover, soldiers refused to control people rioting in the streets.
-In many places, local people set up workers’ and soldiers’ councils to take over their cities.
-In October 1918, some crews in the German navy mutinied (refused to follow orders) in the ports of Kiel and Hamburg.
-On 7 November, in Munich, the capital of the south German state of Bavaria, workers declared a general strike and protested in the streets.
-Led by a Jewish communist, Kurt Eisner, they announced that they were separate from the rest of Germany.
Describe the Abdication of the Kaiser
-On 9 November 1918, the Kaiser was at the army headquarters in Spa, 700km away from Berlin.
-His ministers told him that the only way to restore order in Germany was for him to abdicate. At first, he refused.
-However, the Kaiser had lost the support of the German army. The officers at army headquarters refused to support him.
-When told this news by General Wilhelm Groener, the army’s second in command, the kaiser had no choice.
-On 9 November, he abdicated and in the early hours of 10 November, went into exile in the Netherlands.
Describe the Declaration of the German Republic
-On 9 November, the streets of Berlin were full of people. Some gathered peacefully outside of the Reichstag while others collected guns and took over parts of the city.
-Inside the Reichstag, was Philipp Scheidemann, a leading member of the Social Democratic Party, the biggest party in the German parliament.
-He was told that armed rioters were preparing to announce a communist government. Scheidemann was keen to retain control of events and keep a moderate form of government.
-He proclaimed to the crowds that the Kaiser had gone and that there was a new German Republic. He appealed for a peaceful transition to the new regime.
Describe the Work of the SDP to Establish the New Republic
-On 9 November, the Kaiser’s chancellor max von Baden handed over his office to Friedrich Ebert, the leader of the SDP.
-On 10 November, Ebert made an agreement with General Groener for the army to work with the government to keep the communists out of power.
-Also on 10 November, Ebert suspended the old Reichstag and named six moderate politicians who would form the Council of People’s Representatives.
-This council would head the government but only until a new constitution could be agreed.
-By taking these steps, moderates in the SDP were able to take control of Germany preventing anarchy or a communist takeover.
Describe the Signing of the Armistice
-On 11 November, Ebert’s representative, Matthias Erzberger, signed the armistice. This was the formal agreement between Germany and the Allies to end the First World War.
-There was little alternative. By November 1918,Germany was torn apart by social and political unrest and its money and troops were running out.
-The entry of two million US troops into the war in 1917 had made the Allies much stronger. From August 1918, the German army was in retreat and the Hindenburg line was breached.
-This was the first major decision of the government. The terms of the peace were to become a permanent burden to the new Republic. Beginning it with a surrender was not a strong start.
Describe Ebert’s Steps to Increase Economic Confidence in the New Republic
-Ebert arranged for the civil servants to stay in office. They were instructed to work alongside soldiers’ and workers’ councils, where local people had set these up.
-This ensured that the state would keep running, for example collecting taxes and running public services.
-Ebert reassured leaders of industry such as the coal and shipping entrepreneur Hugo Stinnes, that the new Republic would not confiscate land or factories.
-He also said that there would be no nationalisation of private industries. This ensured that business and the economy continued to operate.
Describe Ebert’s Social Steps to Increase Social Confidence in the New Republic
-Ebert reassured General Groener that the army would not be reformed. Officers kept their ranks.
-In return, Groener agreed to use the German army to help keep the new Republic in power.
-Ebert also won the support of the trade unions. He promised their leader, Carl Legien that the new Republic would try to achieve an eight hour working day.
Describe the Opposition Which Initially Challenged the New Republic
-The nine months from November 1918 to July 1919 were uneasy for the New Republic whilst a new government was put in place.
-Despite Ebert’s best efforts to increase confidence in the new Republic, some extreme political parties were still dissatisfied.
-Demonstrations and riots were common in the major cities. Germany was still on the edge of anarchy.
-Still, Ebert had achieved a fragile control, which lasted long enough to agree a new constitution for the new Republic.
Describe the Creation of the National Assembly
-The Council of People’s Representatives took control of Germany in November 1918 but was only temporary. Ebert announced there would be national elections to select a National Assembly.
-The job of the National Assembly would be to create a new constitution for Germany.
-The elections took place on 19 January 1919. They were a success- 82% of the electorates voted. The electorate was made up of all men and women of 21 years old or over.
-Moderates gained most of the seats: the SPD won 40% and the Centre Party won 20%.
Describe the Creation of the Weimar Republic’s Constitution
The National Assembly met for the first time in February 1919. However, it took six months to reach an agreement.
-Because there was so much unrest and violence in Berlin, they had to meet in the more peaceful town of Weimar about 250km away.
-On 31 July, the National Assembly agreed a new constitution, by 262 votes to 75.
-The new Republic, now governed by the constitution agreed in Weimar, became known as the Weimar Republic.
Describe the Head of State in the Constitution of the Weimar Republic
-A new president would be the head of the Weimar Republic.
-Elected by the people every seven years.
-Played no part in day-to-day politics.
-Had some important political powers. For example, the president chose the chancellor.
Describe the Government in the Constitution of the Weimar Republic
-The government was made up of the Chancellor and the Cabinet.
-The chancellor was the head of government in the Weimar Republic and chose all government ministers.
-The cabinet was made up of the most important ministers. They worked closely with the chancellor in the cabinet, the main decision-making body of the government.
Describe the Parliament in the Constitution of the Weimar Republic
-The parliament was made up of two houses: the Reichstag and the Reichsrat. Normally, all laws had to pass through both houses.
-The Reichstag was the more powerful of the two houses. It controlled taxation and was directly elected by the people at least once every four years.
-The Reichsrat was also elected every four years however it represented the regions of Germany. Each region sent a certain number of representatives depending on its size.
