WW1 and Defeat

• Patriotism


  In 1914 most Germans were patriotic. They supported the war believing Germany would win it.
• War Weariness


  By 195-16, as the war continued, protests began with around 500 people but increased to 10,000 wanting an end to the war
• Russian Revolution


  In 1917 a communist Revolution led to the Kaiser's cousin, Tsar Nicholas being overthrown
• Political Instability


  By 1918 Germans were fed up with the war. Many blamed the Kaiser and his government for the hardships they suffered causing political unrest
• Losing


  By 1918 the German generals believed they could not win the war. General Ludendorff advised the Kaiser to make the country more democratic so they would be treated less harshly by the victors
• Democratic Measures


  The Kaiser gave the Reichstag some of his powers and allowed the main political parties to form a new government but protests continued.
• Mutiny


  On 28th October 1918 the Germany navy refused to follow orders and go to sea.
• Worker's Councils


  Soldiers sent to deal with the mutiny joined the sailors, as did workers. Within 6 days the workers were ruling towns and cities all over Germany
• Abdication


  On 9th November, the Kaiser gave up his throne and left Germany taking all of his wealth with him
• Friedrich Ebert


  Was the leader of the SPD, the largest party, he formed a government which promised to hold elections and end the war
• Naval Blockade


  The British navy had blockaded the German ports preventing food from getting in. The Germans were starving.
• The Armistice


  On 11th November 1918 the war ended when the Germans surrendered.
• November Criminals


  Many Germans refused to believe that they had been defeated as the allied armies had not marched through berlin. They blamed the new government for surrendering unnecessarily