The German Revolution 1918-1919

1. THE GERMAN REVOLUTION The German Revolution 1918-1919 1918-1919

2. THE BIRTH OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC PART 1:‘Revolution from Above’ • By late September 1918, after four years of bloody war, Germany faced military defeat – WHY? FAILURE OF FINAL OFFENSIVE MARCH 1918 FAILURE OF RAPID VICTORY REASONS FOR FAILURE LIMITATIONS OF WAR ECONOMY STALEMATE STRENGTHS OF ALLIES

3. Learning Intention: To gain an understanding of how the war affected the living and working conditions of the people? • In 1914 the vast majority of Germans supported the war and there were no signs of the country’s morale and unity breaking down until the winter months of early 1917. From then on however social discontent grew markedly because of: • Food and Fuel shortages • Civilian deaths • Infant mortality • The Spanish flu • Inflation • Casualties Considerable anger was expressed against the so-called ‘sharks of industry’ who made vast profits from the war. Resentment grew in the minds of many of the middle classes as they felt their social status had been lowered as their income declined. Above all, opposition began to grow against the political leaders, who had urged total war. Faced with a worsening situation Generals Ludendorff and Hindenburg recognised the seriousness of Germany’s problems and decided to seek peace with the allies.

4. The Creation of a Democracy • Faced with the threat of invasion and defeat Ludendorff persuaded the Kaiser, Wilhelm II, to transform the Second Reich into a parliamentary democracy by handing over power to a civilian government that had the support of the Reichstag. Germany was to be transformed from AUTOCRACY CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY LUDENDORFF’S MOTIVES He hoped the new Civilian government Would be able to get Better peace terms He hoped the new civilian government would be blamed for Germany’s defeat As it would Have to end the war. THUS WAS BORN THE STAB IN THE BACK MYTH

5. THE BIRTH OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLICPART IIFrom monarchy to democratic republic in six weeks! • In October 1918 a new government based on the Reichstag was formed. This was the revolution from above, as this great change was initiated by the ruling class itself. • The new gov’t under Prince Max of Baden passed some reforms, but these were not sufficient in these turbulent days. • Economic discontent and war weariness caused growing popular unrest. The German people had been promised, and expected, a great victory. • When it was clear the war was lost Germany erupted in a wave of unrest, this is often described as the Revolution from Below.

6. Revolution from BelowKEY DATES NOV 2nd – THE KIEL MUTINY NOV 9th – ABDICATION OF KAISER NOV 11th – ARMISTICE SIGNED NOV 9th – GERMANY DECLARED A REPUBLIC FEB 6th – NEW CONSTITUTION DRAWN UP IN WEIMAR JAN 1919 – SPARTICIST UPRISING

7. Summary Diagram: The Collapse of Imperial Germany Germany’s Military defeat Reasons for: Failure of rapid recovery Stalemate Strength of Allies Limitations of German War economy Failure of the final offensive, March 1918 • Socio-economic effects • Including: • Food and fuel shortages • Civilian deaths • Infant mortality • Influenza • Inflation • Causalities October Reform The motives of Ludendorff The constitutional changes ‘A revolution from above’?