HISTORY- The challenges facing the Weimar Republic 1918-1923

• • 1918- Germany ruled by kaiser Wilhelm II
  • End of war- Country was led by army leaders.
  • Generals Ludendorff + Hindenburg.
  • Ludendorff realised Germany was going to lose war- Anxious to avoid taking responsibility.
• • Keiser persuaded to turn Germany into democratic republic + transferring power to Reichstag. "Revolution from above"
  • Ludendorff- new government would bear responsibility of organising peace. Also want military influence to continue- 'Generals responsibility losing war'
  • This led to Dolschtoss theory- weak politicians had caused Germany to lose war. 'November criminals'.
  • 'German army was stabbed in the back'- Army NOT to be blamed
• Condition of Germany 1918

  • People expected victory- Discontent had increased. 'German Revolution/ 'Revolution from below'.
  • October 1918- Prince max of budain was appointed + Ludendorff sacked.
  • End October 1918- Kiel sailors refused an order to fight against British Navy.
  • Protest spread- Government afraid of Bolshevik revolution
• • Prince max announced kaiser resigned- Now power to Fredrich Ebert= Moderate Socialist leader.
  • Philip Scheidemann, SPD (Socialist) Leader announced Germany now a republic.
  • Karl Liebknecht the spartacist leader, announced a soviet republic in Germany.
• Freidrich Ebert- SPD leader and weimar's first president. Problems he faced.

  • Economy- Famine, Inflation, shortage because of allies' blockade.
  • Left wing (socialist communist threat)- Protests and strikes KPD workers' councils wanted a revolution.
  • The army- Bitterness for losing the war.
  • Right wing- Elite opposition, Freikorps Generals' power.