Threats from L&R + Assasinations

• Who led the new Weimar democracy?

  President Friedrich Ebert of the Socialist SPD
• What were the main sources of opposition to the Weimar democracy?


  Enemies from the political extremes of both the far left and far right
• What did the extreme left in Germany aspire to achieve?


  A Communist government that would take over ownership of businesses
• What event inspired the far left groups in Germany?

  The Russian Revolution of November 1917
• Who primarily supported the extreme left in Germany?


  The industrial working classes, such as factory workers
• Why did the wealthy and middle classes dread a Communist Germany?


  They feared the loss of their wealth and power
• What did the Communists believe about Ebert's actions after the November revolution?


  They felt he had betrayed the revolution by allowing the old elite to retain power
• What was the Spartacist Uprising and when did it occur?


  • Armed uprising in Berlin
  • Led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
  • Occurred on 5th January 1919
• What were the goals of the Spartacist Uprising?


  To seize power from Ebert’s government and establish state control over large farms and industries
• How was the Spartacist Uprising defeated?


  It was crushed by the Freikorps on Ebert's orders
• What happened to Liebknecht and Luxemburg after the Spartacist Uprising?


  Both were killed
• What occurred in Bavaria in 1919?


  • Radicals overthrew the Bavarian monarchy
  • Declared an independent Soviet republic
  • Created a Red Guard to protect the revolution
• How did the government respond to the Communist uprising in Bavaria?

  The army and Freikorps stormed into Bavaria, resulting in 700 deaths
• What were the strikes in the Ruhr in 1919 about?


  • Workers demanded shorter hours and better pay
  • Some called for state-owned industry and rule through Soviets
• How were the strikes in the Ruhr ultimately resolved?

  Through the use of the army, Freikorps, and government concessions
• What were the weaknesses of the radical left in Germany?


  • Lack of coordination among factions
  • No strong leader like Lenin
  • Support for SPD among the working class
  • The army remained disciplined
• Why did Ebert face criticism from historians regarding his response to threats?


  He was so fearful of a Communist revolution that he overlooked the greater threat from the right
• Who were the main opponents of the Weimar democracy from the extreme right?


  • Rich and powerful elites who benefited from Kaiser’s rule
  • Those who wanted to restore the monarchy or find a new dictator
• What was the Kapp Putsch and when did it occur?


  A right-wing coup attempt in February 1920
• What triggered the Kapp Putsch?


  The order to disband two brigades of the Freikorps by Defence Minister Gustav Noske
• How did the government respond to the Kapp Putsch?


  Ebert's government fled to Dresden when the army refused to act against the Freikorps
• What role did the trade unions play during the Kapp Putsch?


  They called for a strike and urged workers not to cooperate with the putsch
• What was the outcome of the Kapp Putsch?


  The putsch collapsed within four days
• What happened to Walther Rathenau in 1922?


  • He was assassinated while driving to work
  • He was involved in signing the Versailles Treaty
• What was the public reaction to Rathenau's assassination?


  Over 700,000 people demonstrated in Berlin against his killing
• What was the average sentence received by Rathenau's assassins?


  Four years in prison
• What was the Munich Putsch and when did it occur?


  • Attempted revolution by the NSDAP (Nazi Party)
  • Occurred in November 1923
• What financial crisis was Germany facing during the Munich Putsch?

  Germany was struggling with hyperinflation and failed to meet reparation payments
• How did Hitler attempt to gain support during the Munich Putsch?


  He interrupted a speech by Bavarian leader Gustav von Kahr and forced him to support the revolution
• What was the response of the army to the Munich Putsch?


  The army was ordered not to cooperate and to resist the putsch
• What was the outcome of the Munich Putsch?


  Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison and the Nazi Party was banned
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the extreme right in Germany?


  Strengths:

  • Better armed than the left
  • Sympathy from powerful elites

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Little support from the working class
  • Lack of unity in vision for replacing Weimar