WW1 loss and revolutions Flashcards
What was the Burgfrieden?
Peace in the fortress
At the start of the war the parties agreed to a truce
When and why was the USPD created?
1917, split from the SPD as they rejected war policy
What was the OHL?
Army dictatorship of Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
Hindenburg made the decision to continue the U boat campaign, which eventually brought the US into the war
Ludendorff offensive in March 1918 failed due to America joining the war
How many German casualties were there in WW1
2 million soldiers killed or 6.3 million casualties- 54% of the army
How was Germany’s true motive showed?
Many socialists only joined the war against ‘Russian barbarism’, but after Brest-Litovsk, Germany’s imperialistic aims were exposed
What were some of the hardships in WW1?
Major food shortages- turnip winter
Shortage of fuel, coal (for heat), leather (for clothes), soap and metals
Mark lost 75% of its value and inflation occured
Why were people resentful towards the rich during WW1?
A black market was created for Rich people to buy food
Industry made large profits off the war
How many Berliners were on strike in January 1918?
400,000
What happened in the Reichstag peace vote, 1917?
Voted for peace, 212:126
What happened at the end of the war?
The Ludendorff offensive failed to break through the allies, and soldiers were loosing motivation and had little supplies.
Germany’s allies started collapsing in September- eg Bulgaria 30th
It became clear to the OHL they were going to lose and they declared bankruptcy on 29th Sep
What was the stab-in-the-back-myth?
The OHL were keen to shift blame, and so Ludendorff placed the blame on the new civilian gov who signed the armistice. He claimed the army could have kept fighting and the ‘November criminals’ were traitors
This made the gov get a lot of criticism, and the RW blamed the LW for the loss.
Were the public aware they were losing?
No, the army updates had been censored and false
What did Hindenburg and Ludendorff recommend on the 29th September 1918?
A new civilian government to be set up ( to get better peace terms and to pass the blame) as well as an armistice
When was the new civilian government set up?
It was set up on the 3rd October 1918, headed by Max of Baden as chancellor (appointed by the Kaiser)
Max was then asked to approach the allies about an armistice- and fought against the plan but eventually agreed
Was a government of socialists and liberals
What was the parliamentary system before the revolution?
The Kaiser had almost all the power
It was very traditional
When was the OHL sidelined?
26th October 1918
What was said in the exchange between Wilson Woodrow and Baden?
On October 3rd Baden sent Woodrow a note requesting an immediate armistice based on the 14 points.
At first Wilson offered peace of Germany agreed to become more democratic, but after the Kaiser/OHL continued the war, Wilson wrote if he had to deal with them there would be no peace, only surrender
What were Wilson’s 14 points?
A statement for how peace should occur, set out during Jan 1918
Mentioned the restoration of Belgium, an independent Poland, the league of the nations, the Liberation of France, a decline in weapons and open treaties and trading
What were the main reasons for the revolution from above?
Stopping a potential revolution
Political divide
Appeasing the allies
Shifting the blame
What happened at Kiel?
On the 28th of October Admiral Schneer ordered the fleet to give ‘one last blow’
Seeing the task as a suicide mission, the crew of two boats mutiny, raising red flags
The mutiny spread to 20,000 sailers at Kiel
What happened after Kiel?
There was soviets and councils set up which then spread to cities, where strikes and riots occurred (Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin)
When did Constitutional reform occur?
On the 28th October, after Wilson had stated the changes Germany had made were not enough, the constitution was changed to give power to the Reichstag.
What happened in Bavaria?
Kurt Eisner, part of USPD, led a socialist revolt which ended in the proclaim action of a new republic in Bavaria. King Ludwig III fled to Austria
Lasted until February 1919
What happened on 9th November?
The SPD pulled out of Baden’s government and Ebert demanded leadership be given to him.
The Kaiser abdicated and fled to Holland
Karl Liebknecht announced a new soviet Republic
Who announced a new soviet republic?
Karl Liebknecht, leader of the Spartakists, announced a Soviet republic in Germany once the Kaiser abdicated
Schiedemann (Ebert’s right hand man) announced a new republic without consulting Ebert, who was angry a new republic had been declared early
When was the Armistice singed?
11th November 1918