Kaiser Wilhelm II

1
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Chancellor Ebert
2
At the most difficult moment of the war, the long
prepared revolution attacked our rear... I do not
know of any revolution in history that has been
undertaken in such a cowardly manner... It was
the poison of the people in the rear, most of
whom have never heard a shot...
A German Army Officer, quoted in F.L. Carsten,
The Reichswehr and Politics 1918 - 1933
3
At the most difficult moment of the war, the long
prepared revolution attacked our rear... I do not
know of any revolution in history that has been
undertaken in such a cowardly manner... It was
the poison of the people in the rear, most of
whom have never heard a shot...
A German Army Officer, quoted in F.L. Carsten,
The Reichswehr and Politics 1918 - 1933
4
At the most difficult moment of the war, the long
prepared revolution attacked our rear... I do not
know of any revolution in history that has been
undertaken in such a cowardly manner... It was
the poison of the people in the rear, most of
whom have never heard a shot...
A German Army Officer, quoted in F.L. Carsten,
The Reichswehr and Politics 1918 - 1933
5
At the most difficult moment of the war, the long
prepared revolution attacked our rear... I do not
know of any revolution in history that has been
undertaken in such a cowardly manner... It was
the poison of the people in the rear, most of
whom have never heard a shot...
A German Army Officer, quoted in F.L. Carsten,
The Reichswehr and Politics 1918 - 1933
6

• What was the stab in the back theory?
• What opposition did Ebert face when he became
  Chancellor?
• Who were the Spartacists and how did they try
  to take control?
• How was the Spartacist uprising crushed?
• What caused stability in Germany in 1919?

7
What caused stability in 1919?
Support for German nationalism
Strong industrial leaders and middle classes
Continuity in civil service and judiciary
Strong and intact class structure
8
What were the problems faced by Chancellor Ebert
and his government immediately after the collapse
of Imperial Germany?