The German Revolution (1918-1919)

Causes:

• German army was collapsing
• Allied blockade of ports   o Food shortages => suffering
• Citizens and soldiers blamed Kaiser Wilhelm for their problems   o He had absolute power in Germany
• Many were influenced by the recent Russian Revolution (1917)   o The Tsar was overthrown and replaced by a government of the people   o They felt the same should happen in Germany

Course:

25th October 1918 – German sailors mutiny instead of following orders to attack the British Navy

6th November 1918 – Government lost control of the country. The main aim of the workers + soldiers was to stop the war but politicians feared there might be a total revolution

7th November 1918 – Social Democrats sent the Kaiser an ultimatum => abdicate or they’d join the revolution

9th November 1918 – General strike => SDP announce the German Republic

10th November 1918 – Kaiser Wilhelm II fled Germany for the Netherlands => power falls into the hands of the SDP

11th November 1918 – Armistice is signed with the Allies

Effects:

• Germany lost WW1   o The new Weimar Republic called for an immediate ceasefire => led to an armistice
• Political Instability   o Extreme groups fought for power   o The new government didn’t take power until 1919

Impact of WW1:

• New Government   o Many were unsure of the new government   o Some wanted the Kaiser to return
• Deaths and Casualties   o Over 7M dead or injured
• Financial Problems   o Almost bankrupt => war cost £37B
• Social Unrest   o Thousands left the army => riots in Germany   o Freikorps (ex-soldiers) refused to give up their arms
• Losing the War   o German population felt they weren’t losing   o The new government ‘stabbed them in the back’ by giving in
• Mass Starvation   o Allied blockade => lack of food supplies   o 500,000 died as a result