The Weimar Republic

Question 1

Who became Chancellor of the first Weimar Republic and which two parties were in coalition?

Answer 1

-Friedrich Ebert

-SPD and USPD, making it a left wing government

Question 2

When was the Ebert-Groener agreement signed and what did it entail

Answer 2

-10th November 1918
-supreme army command agreed to support new government and ensure stability and security of new republic.
-In return Ebert promised to appose spread of revolutionary socialism and preserve authority of army officers

Question 3

When was the Stinnes-Legien agreement signed and what did it entail?

Answer 3

-signed 15th November
-trade unions made commitment not to interfere with private ownership and free market.
-this was in return for workers committees, an 8 hour work day and full recognition.
-endorsed by Ebert as trade unions were a powerful movement and traditionally closely tied with SPD

Question 4

What were the new governments key tasks?

Answer 4

-hold first parliamentary elections
-design a constitution
-deal with a formal end to WW1
-transition Germany from war to peace

Question 5

What did the high turnout from January 19th 1919 parliamentary elections suggest (83%)

Answer 5

Faith in new German government and idea of democracy

Question 6

Why was it simple to set up a coalition government?

Answer 6

76.1% of the electorate voted for pro-democratic parties and the main parties voted for where the SPD, ZP and DDP

Question 7

Problems facing the new government

Answer 7

-Some German parties did not support the new government (DNVP, KPD, and NSDAP) were all anti republican in nature.

-Proportional Representation: A President is elected every 7 years who can appoint a Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the armed forces

Question 8

What was the unrevolutionary revolution

Answer 8

Kaiser abdicating while elite workers who advised him retain their jobs but now work for the LW government