Germany- 1
The abdication of the Kaiser and revolution of 1918-19
November 1918- Britain, USA, France offered Germany peace if they became more democratic and that the kaiser abdicate
Kaiser refused at first causing sailors to mutiny in northern Germany
This triggered other revolts in Hamburg and Hanover
They started to form workers' and soldiers' councils to replace the existing authorities
In Bavaria, a socialist republic was declared
In Berlin, communists armed themselves intending to take over the capital
9 November 1918- Kaiser abdicated and left for the Netherlands
10 November 1918- Ebert, socialist party leader, became the new leader of the republic of Germany
He signed an agreement with Groener, the head of the military, who pledged the support of the military to the new leader in return of no communists in government and the army would keep its special position in Germany
He announced that Germany had a new form of government- a republic
He appointed a Council of People's Representatives to run Germany until a constitution was written and elections
could be held
Strengths and weaknesses of the new Republic and its Constitution
Strengths | Weaknesses |
It had proportional representation Very democratic Most views had a say in the Reichstag | Proportional representation led to many parties Even some who opposed democracy could gain seats |
It had a system of checks and balances Reichstag had to approve laws Chancellor could not just push them through | It was hard for one party to gain a majority Most governments were coalitions that could be unstable |
Had article 48 as a last resort in case of crisis | No tradition of democracy in Germany |
Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles
Humiliated by the terms of the agreement
Forced Germans to live in newly created countries they lost
War guilt clause- accept complete responsibility of the war
Extortionate reparations- 6600 million
Loss of land- 13% of its territory 10% of population
Army reduced by 100k
November criminals
Right wing nationalist belief that Germany was betrayed by politicians who signed the treaty
Politicians got the blame- population felt 'stabbed in the back'
War could have been continued in Germany's favour if they didn’t sign the treaty
Anger at politicians not allies
Challenges from the Right
The right was composed of traditionalists who had old fashioned values about family and community could be from any class. Supported capitalist ideas of free enterprise and property. Were nationalists who supported the aristocracy, the church and the army. Resented the treaty of Versailles. Resented new democracy and favoured the Kaiser's rule.
March 1920- Kapp putsch
Kapp led 5000 Freikorps (former soldiers) into Berlin in a rebellion planning to overthrow the Weimar republic and return Germany to an authoritarian system similar to the time of the Kaiser
Army refused to fire on them
German trade unions (12 million) went on a general strike
All civil servants and government officials refused to cooperate with Kapp
Kapp fled the country but was caught and died awaiting trial
Challenges from the Left
Composed of extreme left wing who belied in state ownership of industry and felt it was only possible through revolution
1919-the Spartacist Uprising
Communists led by Liebknecht and Luxemberg
Wanted a Germany led by workers' councils like the Bolsheviks
Earlier in 1919, they set up soviets in many towns to try and win power
Anti communist former soldiers had set up vigilante groups called Freikorps
Ebert made an agreement with them to put down the rebellion
Freikorps won and Liebknecht and Luxembery were killed
French occupation of the Ruhr
None of the first instalment of 50million of reparations was paid
French and Belgian troops entered Germany's most industrial region, Ruhr valley
Took what was owed to them in the form of raw materials and goods- legal under Treaty of Versailles
German Government ordered workers to go on strike and refuse to cooperate
French reacted by killing 100 of the workers and expelled 100k from the region
Halt in industrial production led to collapse of the German currency
Cause and effects of hyperinflation
Government printed more money
Was able to pay off debts in worthless currency- reparations and ordinary Germans to loaned the government money during war
Prices and wages skyrocketed because there was so much money but not enough goods being traded- hyperinflation
Middle class most affected because their savings became worthless
Savings which bought a house could not even buy a loaf of bread
Money was fluctuating at extreme speeds
Wages had to be paid on the same day
Government lost support from the middle class who felt Weimar Germany favoured politicians, industrialists and workers but not them
Right wing blamed them for doing this as a result of the Treaty- having to pay reparations
