The legacy of the First World War

• Who was Friedrich Ebert


  Leader of Social Democratic Party

  Became Germany’s first president

  Declared Germany as a republic
• impact of WWI on Germany?


  2 million German troops died, and over 4 million were wounded (11 million in total fought in the war)

  government debts increased from 50 billion marks to 150 billion marks

  more than 750 000 Germans died due to food shortages
• the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II


  9 November 1918:

  the Kaiser visited army headquarters in Spa

  ministers tried to persuade the Kaiser to abdicate

  the Kaiser refused

  army officers refused to support the Kaiser

  the Kaiser had no option but to abdicate

  10 November 1918: Kaiser fled to Holland
• when was Germany declared a republic


  9 November 1918
• how long did the revolutionary period last

  Until August 1919

  • When the Weimar Republic was finally established
• What did Ebert do on 10 November


  On 10 November, Friedrich Ebert suspended the old Reichstag and formed the Council of the People’s Representatives as a temporary measure
• why were Berlin’s streets crowded

  some people were armed, hoping to take over parts of the city
• who was Philipp Scheidemann, and what did he do


  of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the largest party in the German government, declared the new Republic to the Crowds. He was fearful that armed rioters were preparing to declare a communist government in Berlin, and , keen to prevent this, he promoted a peaceful transition
• when was the Treaty of Versailles signed 


  11 November

  it was the first major decision of Ebert’s new Republic