End of Old Germany

• Autumn 1918


  Germany had clearly lost the war

  Germany was in chaos and peace was only offered in strict conditions

  Become more democratic

  Kaiser should abdicate
• Kaiser refused - German Revolution of 1918


  Sailors in northern Germany mutinied and took over the town of Kiel

  Triggered other revolts

  Kaiser’s old enemies (Socialists) led uprisings of workers and soldiers in other German ports

  Other German cities followed

  Bavaria

  Independent Socialist Republic was declared
• 9th November 1918

  Kaiser abdicated and left Germany for the Netherlands
• 10th November 1918


  Socialist leader - Friedrich Ebert

  New chancellor of Germany
• 11th November 1918

  Cooperation of the German army, Ebert signed an armistice with the allies

  Often referred to by the right wing as the ‘November Criminals’

  War was over, a new government was announced (Republic)

  Ebert introduced many reforms including 8 hour working day, improved benefits for the sick, elderly and unemployed
• January 1919

  A new Constitution was drawn up and free elections (first in German history) for the new parliament took place
• February 1919

  Ebert was elected the first President of the new German Republic

  New government met in Weimar rather than in Berlin (too violent and unstable)
• Success of government depends on 2 factors

  The Constitution

  Would it provide a practical, workable solution to German ruling challenges

  Designed to be as democratic as possible and to represent the many different groups

  German people

  Would the people accept a change from traditional, autocratic German system of government to a new democratic system
• Prospects did not look good

  Right Wing

  Nearly all Kaiser’s former advisers remained in their positions (army, judiciary, civil service and industry)

  Restricted what the new government could do

  Many hoped for the return of the Kaiser

  Powerful myth that Ebert ‘Stabbed Germany in the Back’ and caused the defeat of the war

  Left Wing

  Many communists who believed that at this stage, Germany needed a communist revolution just like Russia’s in 1917