political challanges

• Who led the Weimar Government in January 1919?

  President Friedrich Ebert
• What group challenged the Weimar Government in January 1919?

  The Sportacists
• What were the main aims of the Sportacists?


  To have Germany run by the working classes and share power and wealth equally
• What revolution did the Sportacists want to replicate?


  The Russian Revolution of 1917
• What methods did the Sportacists plan to use to achieve their aims?


  • Overthrow the central government
  • Establish soviets in German towns and cities
  • Use violent methods
• Who were the leaders of the Sportacists?

  Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
• What happened in Berlin in January 1919 involving 100,000 workers?


  They went on strike and demonstrated
• What actions did the Spartacist leadership take during the demonstration?


  They seized newspaper and communication buildings and armed the demonstrators
• Why did many protesters return home frustrated during the demonstration?

  Due to the lack of planning by the Spartacists
• What was the role of the Freikorps during the Spartacist Revolt?


  They were employed by the government to suppress the uprising
• What was the outcome of the violence during the Spartacist Revolt?


  Over 100 workers were killed
• What happened to Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg after the revolt?


  They were arrested and brutally murdered by the Freikorps
• How did the Spartacist Revolt affect the relationship between the communists and the Social Democrats?


  It led to a hatred between the two groups
• What were the repercussions of the Spartacist Revolt for the Weimar Government?


  • Threatened by the growing Nazi Party
  • Inability of Communist and Social Democrat parties to unite
• Why were many Germans unhappy after the Treaty of Versailles was signed?


  They felt betrayed by the government and objected to the terms of the Treaty
• What was the reaction of the army to the disbanding of the Freikorps?


  They refused to attack the Freikorps
• Who led the Kapp Putsch?


  Wolfgang Kapp
• What was the outcome of the Kapp Putsch?


  It failed within four days due to lack of support
• What were the political murders in Weimar Germany between 1919 and 1922?


  • 376 politicians were killed, mainly by right-wing groups
  • Ebert’s close allies were among the victims
  • No right-wing assassin was convicted
• What was the general attitude of the police and judges towards right-wing assassins?


  They supported their actions and let them off
• What were the political extremes that challenged the Weimar government?


  Extreme left and extreme right
• How many political assassinations occurred between 1919 and 1923?


  376 political assassinations
• Who primarily committed the political assassinations during this period?

  The vast majority were committed by those on the extreme right
• What was the public reaction to the political assassinations?


  There was public anxiety due to the fear of assassination
• What was the response of judges to those caught for political assassinations?


  They often gave light sentences
• When did the Spartacist Uprising occur?


  On January 12, 1919
• What was the goal of the Spartacist Uprising?

  To create a communist state
• What actions did the Spartacists take during their uprising?

  They seized newspaper and communication buildings
• How did the Weimar government respond to the Spartacist Uprising?


  They called on military tactics and the Freikorps
• What was the outcome of the Spartacist Uprising?

  It was put down violently, resulting in many deaths
• What was the Kapp Putsch in response to?

  It was in response to the perceived betrayal of Germany in the Treaty of Versailles
• Who organized the Kapp Putsch?

  Wolfgang Kapp
• What did the Kapp Putsch proclaim?


  A new right-of-center nationalist government
• What was the public response to the Kapp Putsch?


  The government received support from the people
• What action did President Ebert take during the Kapp Putsch?


  He called for a general strike of workers
• What was the result of the general strike during the Kapp Putsch?


  The Kapp Putsch failed
• When did Wolfgang Kapp flee Berlin?


  On March 17, 1920
• What were the consequences of the Spartacist Uprising for the Weimar government?


  • Created hatred of social democrats by communists
  • Highlighted instability of the Weimar government
  • Increased fear of left-wing uprisings
• What were the consequences of the Kapp Putsch for the Weimar government?


  • Demonstrated public support for the Weimar government
  • Showed the effectiveness of a general strike
  • Highlighted the threat from the right