Weimar Germany

• It was quickly announced that the Kaiser had gone and that there was a new German Republic
• There was a call for peace in Germany while this change happened
• Social Democratic Party (SDP)


  The biggest political party at the time
• It was decided that the SDP leader, Friedrich Erbert should be put in charge of the new German Republic
• Ebert promised to take care of Germany until a new constitution could be agreed
• Germany calmed down and the threat of having any extreme groups such as the communists taking over reduced
• Marks


  The name of the German currency
• Kaiser


  German for Emperor or King
• Strike


  When workers refuse to work
• Abdicate


  To stand down from power
• Exile


  To move to safety away from Germany
• Constitution


  A new set of rules about how a country is run
• Republic


  A country without an emperor or royal family
• Communist


  A different form of government with close links to Germany's enemy Russia
• Reichstag


  The Germany government building (like the Houses of Parliament in the UK)
• Anarchy


  A time without rule or anyone in power
• Democracy


  A country which allows its people to vote
• Kaiser Wilhelm was under pressure to abdicate by the army and government
• Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated and went into exile to Holland


  9th November, 1918
• On hearing the news, the streets of Berlin were full of people. Some gathered peacefully outside the German Parliament - a building known as the Reichstag. Others however, collected guns left over from the war and took over parts of the city. Germany was on the brink of anarchy and chaos.
• Erbert signed the armistice


  11th November
• The armistice was the official and formal agreement between Germany and the allies (the countries it was fighting) to end the First World War. It was the first official document that declared that Germany had lost the First World War.
• It was Ebert's Weimar Government who also agreed to a treaty called the Treaty of Versailles. Here again, Germany had to admit defeat and guilt for the war. Signing the armistice was hugely unpopular with the German public and the German army.
• Between 11th November 1918 to July 1919, a new German Republic was created. It was called the Weimar Republic after the town where the new government was formed.
• Erbert knew he had to make sure Germany stayed peaceful and to re-gain the confidence of the German people after signing the hated armistice.
• The German people were used to the strong and hard, leadership of a Kaiser but things were very different now under Erbert's democratic control.
• Ebert made sure the Kaiser's old officials who knew how to run the country stayed in their jobs. This way, Germany could keep running and supporters of the Kaiser would be much happier.
• Ebert kept the Germany army on side by promising the head of the German army, General Groener, that the army would be safe from change. This way, the army would support the government and help keep control over Germany.
• Ebert promised the leaders of big industries such as coal, iron and steel that the Government would not interfere in their business and that the new government would protect them from any communist take over.
• Erbert promised the trade unions who represented the workers of Germany that he would try to achieve an 8 hour working day to improve living and working conditions after years of war.
• 11 million Germans had fought in the war. 2 million German troops had been killed. 4 million German troops were wounded. 55% of Germany's troops were casualties (wounded or killed).
• Germany's debt rose to 150 billion German marks
• Over 750,000 Germans died from starvation
• There was unrest with protests and strikes in most major towns such as Munich aimed at their government. Workers went on strike and demonstrated on the streets. German soldiers refused to follow orders to control the rioting and instead joined in with the demonstrations.
• In October 1918, the German navy mutinied when they refused to follow orders.
• In Berlin, it was clear that the Kaiser of Germany Kaiser Wilhelm II and his ministers had lost control of Germany. Many people wanted him gone.
• Despite all of Ebert's promises, there were still many extreme political parties and people who were not happy. Demonstrations and riots continued in many major towns and cities. Many German people, as well as the German army still felt the government was wrong for admitting defeat after the war.
• Erbert did however, manage to keep enough control to create a new German Constitution.
• Kaiser Wilhelm and his government had no control over the strikes and protests. In most towns and cities workers and soldiers had even set up their own unofficial government to replace the official government of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
• Erbert announced to the country that he wanted to have an election where the German people would vote for who they wanted to decide what the new constitution (set of rules about running Germany) should be like.