abdication & armistice

• how long did WW1 last?

  1914-1918
• how many German troops were killed during WW1?

  2 million
• how many German troops were wounded during WW1?

  4 million
• WW1 caused germans to be in spiralling debt
• what was the German debt in 1918?

  3 times the debt they had in 1914
• what did the British navy do to German trade routes in 1918?

  blocked German trade routes which prevented German supply ships from delivering food to the ports. this led to serve food shortages in Germany.
• how many people died from hunger as a result of the British navy blocking all German trade routes?

  an estimated 750,000
• what really led to Germany losing the war?

  they were unable to feed their people or troops. resistance at the front began to collapse
• when Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?

  9th November 1918
• why did kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?

  his advisors believed it would be the only way to restore order due to him losing support
• what did the German public want to happen after the kaiser abdicated?

  they wanted the establishment of a communist country in its place
• what does communist mean?

  the absence of social classes and private property.
• who were the SDP?

  social democratic party
• when was the armistice signed?

  11th November 1918
• why did germany decide to sign the armistice?

  • the German public were so longer on their side
  • they couldn't supply the troops
  • they were in great debt
• what was the armistice?

  the agreement to end the war
• when did WW1 end?

  11th November 1918, 11am
• who took the role of chancellor after the Kaiser abdicated?

  Friedrich Ebert
• what was the signing of the armistice seen as to many germans?

  • a betrayal of the men who lost their lives
  • a betrayal of germany since they hadn't lost the war in battle
• what steps did Ebert take to keep order in germany and avoid uprising after the armistice was signed?

  • kept the civil servants who ran the country with the kaiser - this is because they knew what they were doing and understood germanys needs
  • communicated with the army - this is so they would help Ebert keep control
  • worked with industry, like coal and shipping - done to reassure and encourage them to supply germany
  • negotiated with the trade unions - agreed to certain changes to working conditions to keep them on side.