WEIMAR REPUBLIC CREATION Flashcards
Explain why the Weimar Republic was created in 1918. (12) 1st Paragraph
P1: ABDICATION OF THE KAISER
E1: By November 1918, unrest and anger at the conditions in Germany grew into a revolution that called for the Kaiser to step down and abdicate. In Stuttgart and Hanover, workers went on strike and demonstrated in the streets calling for an end to the war and the abdication of the Kaiser. In October 1918, the German Navy mutinied and refused to follow orders from the Kaiser. Finally, in November 1918, after increasing unrest among the army and German population, workers in Munich declared a general strike and took control of the Government.
A1: Consequently, this was significant as with increasing fears that a communist revolution was imminent and the Kaiser being told that the army no longer supported him, the Kaiser agreed to abdicate and on the 9th November 1918, the Kaiser fled Germany.
Explain why the Weimar Republic was created in 1918. (12) 2nd Paragraph
P2: DECLARATION OF A REPUBLIC/FEAR OF A COMMUNIST REVOLUTION
E2: With the Kaiser now gone, hundreds of thousands of people began to gather in Berlin outside the Reichstag - while some were peaceful, others began to gather guns and weapons, taking over parts of the city. The politicians in the Reichstag feared that the workers would soon take control of the Government by force and announce a communist revolution. The Kaiser’s chancellor (Prince Max Von Baden) handed his power to Friedrich Ebert, the leader of the SPD - who became the new Chancellor. Ebert took action quickly, firstly appealing to crowds for peace and declaring that a new Democratic Republic would be created. Secondly, he made an agreement with the army that they would work together in order to prevent a communist uprising. Thirdly, he appointed a council of representatives - made up of moderate politicians - who would govern temporarily until elections could be held.
A2: Consequently, this was significant as with increasing instability within Germany, and the appointment of Friedrich Ebert as new Chancellor, further steps were taken towards establishing a new Weimar Republic.
Explain why the Weimar Republic was created in 1918. (12) 3rd Paragraph
P3: CREATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
E3: Ebert arranged for a national election to be held in January 1919. Over 80% of the German people voted and the moderate parties won the most seats: the SPD won 40% and the Centre Party won 20%. The new National Assembly met for the first time (in the town of Weimar due to unrest in Berlin) and began to write the new Weimar constitution. After 6 months, the National Assembly announced that the new Weimar Constitution was finished.
A3: Consequently, this was significant as with the creation of the National Assembly and support for the more moderate parties growing, the Weimar Constitution was constructed, leading to the creation of the Weimar Republic.
