The Birth of the Weimar Republic

1. Why was it called the Weimar Republic and not the Berlin Republic? 
When the republic was created, Berlin was known as violent and unstable. This wasn't appealing and so the republic met in the small town of Weimar.

2. What new rights did Friedrich Ebert promise the German people?

Friedrich told the people that they would have freedom of speech, freedom to worship and better working conditions. 

3. Hey, a democracy. Sounds great! Why was this a shock to the Germany peoples' systems?

The German people had always been used to a republic with the Kaiser. They were shocked by a democracy because they weren't sure what it would bring, and it was change -- which is scary. They thought that if they stuck to tradition of the Kaiser it would be better.

4. What positions did the opposition on the right hold that restricted Friedrich Ebert's new government?

The Kaiser's former advisors remained in military positions, judiciary positions, civil service positions , and industrial positions, therefore restricting Ebert's new government. The majority of the people who held these positions were right leaning and didn't want Ebert's republic. 

5. What was the name of "powerful myth" that developed and what "evidence" was there to support the myth?

This myth was that Ebert had "stabbed Germany in the back" and caused the loss of the war. This was a point where Ebert's opponents could rally support. They believed that Germany could have kept fighting and that an armistice was not needed. The Treaty of Versailles was so unfair and unpopular to Germans, many felt that the politicians who had signed the treaty on Germany's behalf betrayed their state, in turn, they were stabbed in the back. 


Class explanation: 
The Right Wing Believed:
-German Army did not lose WWI on the battlefield 
-It was lost by the politicians, not the army 
Instead:
-Betrayed by civilians and politicians on the home front 
-Especially those that supported the creation of the Weimar Republic
-Those that signed the Armistice were known as the "November Criminals"
-Betrayal led to TOV humiliation 
-Nazis will later use the myth as a part of their "history" 

6. Study Source 3: What position was Ebert elected to in Jan. 1919? Who elected him?

In January of 1919 Ebert was elected President of the Weimar Republic. He was elected by the people of the state in an election form for the first time in Germany's history. 




7. Study Source 3: How would a Chancellor gain power in the Weimar Republic? (Why you need to know this: By 1933 Hitler will have this job.)
In the Weimar Republic chancellors are appointed by the president. By building a good, solid relationship, you could gain positions in the government. ("Sucking up to the president.")

Impact of WWI on Germany

Make a list of the challenges facing Friedrich Ebert when he became the leader of Germany following the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on Nov. 9, 1918.

Organize the challenges as follows:

Political Challenges

• Many ex-soldiers and civilians despised the new democratic leaders and came to believe that the heroic leader Field Marshal Hindenburg had been betrayed by weak politicians.

Social Challenges

• War left 600,000 widows and 2 million children without fathers -- by 1925 the state was spending about ⅓ of its budget in war pension
• The war had deepened divisions in German Society
• There were huge gaps between the living standards of the rich and the poor
• During the war women were called up to work in factories. Many people saw this as damaging to traditional family values and society as a whole
• Many German workers were bitter at the restrictions placed on their earnings during the war while the factory owners made vast fortunes from the war

Economic Challenges

• National income was about ⅓ of what it had been in 1913
• Germany was virtually bankrupt

The German Revolution

 1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.

-Food shortages
-no coal
-no electricity
-gas power turned down
-Germany experienced one of the coldest, most brutal winters which killed all their potato crops (cause of the food shortage), known as the "Turnip Winter"
In the document, it says “there seems to be no more potatoes -- each of us has been given a half pound of what they call potato-flocken.” This is a letter that a woman named Ethel Cooper wrote to her sister on account of the hard times in Germany.
-Since there was war, many families were split while husbands and fathers were at war.

2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
-The German ports which food was brought in was blockaded by the British
-Much of the attention of the country was based on the war and the problems there rather than the citizens of the country. The men in the war needed supplies too. By 1918, many Germans were sick of war.  Families had husbands at war which meant that not as much food was being brought home, also the soldiers were suffering. It was hard for the government to provide for the soldiers which in turn made it hard for the soldiers to provide for their families.

3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
There was a spark of revolution that was lit on Oct 28 when Germany’s naval ships ordered the warships to put to sea for war with Britain. When the sailors did not agree, there was a mutiny. This spread across Germany with more rebellions and mutinies from workers and sailors. People were taking control of the government and the country was falling apart. Wilhelm’s country was out of control and his army generals refused to support  him. In turn, he had to abdicate. He secretly left the country and went to Holland.

4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
What started as an unexpected mutiny, caused domino effect across Germany. Once people like sailors and workers realized that they had power over what happened in the government, it spread like rapid fire. There were so many food shortages and electrical problems, that the people also saw this as a way to rebel.

5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?
The three socialist groups were the Social Democratic Party, the Independent Socialites, and the Spartacists. All three groups wanted to improve conditions for workers and to give Democratic rights to all Germans such as the right to vote.

6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The three groups had different ideas on how to achieve these goals. The Social Democratic Party wanted to support the government, the Independent Socialites wanted to oppose the government and force it to make reforms and the Spartacists wanted to overthrow the governrnent.

7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919. You should be able to find six events.
1. Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918
2. There is a diagreement between Socialist parties regarding how to address change in Germany. The Spartacists wanted Germany run by a council and the Social Democrats wanted an elected Parliament.
3. There was a demonstration held by the Spartacists where 14 people were killed.
4. Two days before Christmas, hungry and unpaid sailors break into gov’t headquarters and hold Ebert at gunpoint, demanding more pay.
5. The Spartacists renamed themselves to be the German Communist Party on New Year’s Eve.
6. The Spartacists begin a revolution on 9/19/1919. Ebert gets support of the Free Corps and they gain control. They arrest party leaders, Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht and killed them.

8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think that the Communists had their best chance of seizing power during the time of revolution in the country. During a time of revolution there is much confusion and weakness in a country and it would’ve been best to take advantage of that when they could. Weakness is a chance to overthrow.