Weimar Germany 191833

1
Weimar Germany 1918-33

• Democracy
• Republic

Rule by the People the People decide upon who
runs the country through elections.
Political system that allows the People to decide
on the Head of State (e.g. President).
2
The Weimar Republic

• When the allies offered Germany peace at the end
  of World War One, it was on the condition that
  Germany become more democratic.
• The Kaiser refused but was soon faced with
  uprisings around the country.
• On 9th November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated and ran
  away to Holland.
• The following day the leader of the German
  Socialist Party, Friedrich Ebert became the new
  leader of the Republic of Germany.
• Armistice signed on 11th November 1918.
• In January 1919 free elections took place in
  Germany. Ebert won but had to base his Government
  in the small town of Weimar.
• Berlin had become a dangerously unstable place.
  Not all Germans were happy with democracy.

3
Problems facing the new Republic

• Political instability. There are uprisings
  against the fledging republic even before it is
  properly formed.
• Economic ruin. The war has devastated the economy
  and further problems occur as a result of the
  Peace settlement.
• Unemployment. Millions of soldiers have returned
  home to find no jobs available.

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Spartacist Revolt Jan 1919

• Disagreement between the groups in power over how
  the country should be run
• Majority Social Democrats (want democratic
  election where everyone rich and poor can
  vote)
• Vs
• Independent Socialist/Spartacists (want
  Communist state with workers and soldiers in
  control).
• Jan 1919 Spartacists try to take power in
  Berlin
• Majority Social Democrats need to put down this
  revolt they use right-wing armed volunteers
  (Freikorps) who hate Socialism ? Bloodbath.

6
Source Question

• Read sources B and D on pages 4 and 5.
• How does each source feel about the new republic?
• What do they have in common?
• How do they differ?
• Answer question 1 on page 5.

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Spartacist Revolt Jan 1919

• Effect - two groups now opposed the new republic
• Communists/Spartacists felt betrayed by the
  Majority Social Democrats
• Right-wing extremists (want monarchy back) saw
  the new republic as weak because it had relied on
  them to put down the Spartacist revolt.