political crisis

• germans believed accepting the treaty was incompatible, bo with german pride and honour, but people believed better terms could be negotiated
• political divide was present as Schiedemann and many ministers wanted to reject the treaty whereas the majority of the cabinet and the SPD believed germany had no other choice
• schiedemann formed a new coalition cabinet led by Gustav Bauer, and some high ranking army officers with Hindenburg's support wanted to resist the treaty through military action.
• President Ebert told General Groener he would only support military resistance if it had the potential to succeed, but the realist Groener said that military action would be futile, so the Bauer cabinet bowed to the inevitable and the treaty was signed
• military interference was only suggested following the rejection of extensive changes, meaning germany were peaceful at first