Weimar Constitution Flashcards
When did the Kaiser abdicate?
November 9th 1918
What were the October reforms?
This was when the Kaiser began a series of reforms that effectively ended his autocratic rule (recommended by Ludendorff) which were:
- Prince Max of Baden was appointed Chancellor
- The Chancellor was to be responsible of the Reichstag
and established a new government based on the majority parties. - The armed forces were put under control of the civil government.
What was the Peace Note?
This was when Prince Max contacted President Wilson and asked for an armistice on the 3rd October.
What was President Wilson’s response to the Peace Note?
He asked:
- for the German army to evacuate all occupied territory
- an end to submarine warfare
- Germany must fully democratise its political system
These terms were essential to surrender but were too much for Ludendorff to accept. He tried to get support for a last offensive but when it failed, he resigned and fled to Sweden.
What happened on the 28th October 1918?
The Kaiser had ordered ships to attack the British navy in the Channel but when the crews of two cruisers refused to obey orders, a naval mutiny had occurred.
When was the November Revolution and what happened?
The revolution took place on the 3rd November 1918 and sailors mutinied against their officers and took control of the base. The revolt quickly spread to the city and workers’ and soldiers’ council were established, similar to the Soviets in Russia in 1917. By 6th November, there were soldiers and workers council springing up all over Germany.
What happened on the 8th November?
A republic was proclaimed in Bavaria and the Bavarian monarchy was deposed.
What event occurred on the 9th November?
In Berlin, the SDP called on workers to join a general strike to force the Kaiser to abdicate. Also, they threatened to withdraw support from Prince Max’s government unless the Kaiser abdicated within 14 hours. He (Max) resigned as Chancellor and gave his position to Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SDP.
What did Ebert believe in?
He believed in evolutionary change through winning a majority in parliamentary elections and then introducing reforms.
What were Ebert’s main priorities?
1) Signing the armistice with the Allies
2) Organise elections for a Constituent Assembly.
What happened on the 22nd November?
An agreement was reached between the new government and the Berlin workers’ and soldiers’ councils whereby the government accepted that it only exercised power in the name of these councils.
What did the USPD believe?
They believed that the autocratic system of government would not finally be abolished unless the aristocratic estate were broken up, the army, civil service and judiciary were democratised.
In late 1918, what occurred?
The political situation in Germany had become increasingly unstable and many officers believed that Germany faced the danger of a Bolshevik revolution leading to civil war and occupation by Allied forces.
Who did General Groener phone on the 10th November?
He phoned Ebert to assure him that the army leadership would support the government and that Ebert should resist the demands of the soldiers’ councils to democratise the army and defend Germany against communist uprisings.
What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?
It was when Ebert assured Groener that the government was determined to resist further revolution and to uphold the existing command structure in the army.
