The Spartacist Revolt and Kapp Putsch Flashcards
Which political party was set up in Germany in December 1918 and backed by the Soviet Union?
The German Communist Party (KPD)
How many members did the KPD have in Germany?
400,000
Who were the Spartacist League?
Extreme socialists from the Independent Socialist Party based in Berlin
Who were the Spartacist League named after?
Spartacus, the head of a slaves’ revolt in Ancient Rome
Who were the Spartacists’ two leaders?
Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Liebknecht
Who was sacked on 4 January 1919, triggering a protest from thousands of workers?
Emil Eichhorn, the Berlin police chief
What did the Spartacists call for following the sacking of Emil Eichhorn?
An uprising and a general strike in Berlin
How many workers took to the streets of Berlin on 6 January?
Over 100,000
What did the workers do in Berlin when they took to the streets on 6 January to undermine the government?
Seized the government’s newspaper and telegraph offices
Why did Ebert struggle to put down the Spartacist Revolt?
After the First World War, the army was in no shape to put down the revolt
Who did Ebert turn to to put down the Spartacist Uprising?
The Freikorps - right-wing soldiers who strongly opposed the Communists
How many Freikorps were there by March 1919?
250,000
How long did it take after the general strike began for the workers to be driven off the streets?
One week (by 13 January)
When were Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht arrested and killed?
16 January
What did Freikorps units near Berlin do in March 1920 and why?
Started to organise against the Weimar Republic
They feared being disbanded and becoming unemployed
What was the head of the army’s response to Ebert’s instructions to put down the Freikorps?
“Reichswehr does not fire upon Reichswehr” (German soldiers do not shoot their own)
Who did the Freikorps choose as their figurehead leader?
Wolfgang Kapp
Who did the Freikorps invite to return from exile?
The Kaiser
How did the Weimar government respond to the Kapp Putsch?
They fled to Weimar and then to Stuttgart
How did the Weimar government try to put down the Kapp Putsch?
Urged people to go on strike
What happened when workers went on strike against the Kapp Putsch?
Gas, electricity, water and transport stopped and Berlin ground to a halt
How long did it take for Wolfgang Kapp to realise he could not govern?
Four days
What happened to Wolfgang Kapp after the Kapp Putsch?
He was arrested and put in prison
Give two examples of Weimar politicians who were assassinated between 1918 and 1923
Hugo Hasse, part of the Council of People’s Representatives (1919)
Matthias Erzberger, who signed the armistice (killed in August 1921)
Walter Rathenau, the popular Weimar foreign minister (June 1922)
How many political murders were there between 1919 and 1922?
376
Did Weimar judges sympathise more with right-wing extremism or left-wing extremism?
Right-wing
What was the name of the private army of the KPD, set up to guard their meetings?
The Red Front Fighters
What was the name of the private army of the DNVP?
Steel Helmets
What was the name of the private army of the SPD?
The Black Red Gold Flag
