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The German Kaiser's Abdication: Reasons and Consequences

This lesson explores the events surrounding Kaiser Wilhelm II's abdication at the end of WWI. It examines the reasons behind his decision and the consequences it had for Germany. Students will complete questions related to the topic.

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The German Kaiser's Abdication: Reasons and Consequences

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  1. Starter Take scissors and glue from the front of the class Cut out & glue in the mandatory content table (on your desk)

  2. Why did the German Kaiser abdicate at the end of WWI? Germany 1918-39

  3. Today we will… • Describe the events of Kaiser’s abdication • Identify the reasons behind the abdication and its consequences

  4. I can… • Complete two n5 questions on the events of the Kaiser’s abdication

  5. Kaiser Wilhelm II • German Emperor 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918 • Queen Victoria’s grandson • Aggressive, authoritarian

  6. Events • On 9 November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated (gave up the throne) • On 11 November the armistice was signed by the new politicians who had little experience of running Germany • Germany had become a very violent place at the end of WWI – people were fighting over how the country should be run

  7. If you won’t abdicate, the best thing for you to do is shoot yourself! General Groener and other leading army men persuaded the Kaiser to step down. They thought Britain would be kinder to them without the Kaiser. General Groener

  8. Why did he abdicate? • Britain, France and America would not negotiate a peace with the hated Kaiser. He would have to go. • The German Navy mutinied (went on strike) at Kiel Naval Base • This started revolutionary activity, where workers and sailors took control of other naval bases • Many German people blamed the Kaiser for Germany’s military defeats in WWI • Many people had died of starvation (750,000) due to shortages and they blamed him • He had lost the support of the German people and feared for his life

  9. Mutiny at Wilmshaven Naval base

  10. The Kaiser became an exile in the neutral Netherlands • David Lloyd George had proposed to ‘hang the Kaiser!’ • The Kaiser hoped the Nazis might reinstate him when they were becoming more powerful • He died in 1941 from a blocked artery

  11. Friedrich Ebert was the leader of the new government after the Kaiser abdicated • He would be very unpopular due to surrendering ‘too soon’ and signing the Treaty of Versailles • They were the ‘November criminals’

  12. What did it mean for Germany? • It meant lots of violence and unrest as Germany as different groups tried to take power • It left Germany without a leader so elections had to be called and a new government elected (The Weimar Government) • German people had never had elections and politicians before – they were very confused by democracy • Some German people were loyal to the Kaiser - whoever replaced him would probably be unpopular

  13. Source A describes the reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated. The Kaiser fled at night to the Netherlands where he lived until his death in 1941. The Kaiser had to go because the victors of the Great war were unwilling to negotiate with someone they believed to be an undemocratic dictator. Many Germans blamed him for Germany’s military defeats in the war and thought he was a poor leader of the army. Of course, many German conservatives remained loyal to him. There were around 750,000 starving Germans in 1918 who believed he had not managed the country well during the war years. How Fully does Source A describe the reasons for the Kaiser’s abdication? 5 marks

  14. Homework – The Kaiser’s Abdication for Fri 25th Oct 1. Why did the Kaiser abdicate in 1918? 5 marks 2.What problems did his abdication create for Germany? 5 marks IN YOUR OWN WORDS NO BULLET POINTS

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