how did Ebert get confidence in the WR

• November 1918 - July 1919 = write constitution, 9 months - uneasy as republic was put in place - Ebert took several steps to increase confidence
• the civil servants who helped the Kaiser kept their jobs and were told to cooperate with the new workers and soldiers councils which people had set up - this ensured that the state kept running, eg wages were paid, taxes were collected and schools stayed open
• Ebert reassured General Groener that the army would not be reformed - officers were worried they'd loose their jobs - they kept their rank - in return Groener agreed to use the German army to keep the republic at peace
• Ebert reassured the leaders of industries that the new republic would not take the land or factories and that no nationalism would take place - helped ensure that business and economy continued running
• Ebert promised the trade unions leader that the new Republic would try to achieve an 8 hour working day - this meant trade unions (who represented many workers) were happy