IGCSE History: the establishment of the Weimar Republic and early problems

IGCSE History: the establishment of the Weimar Republic and early problems

The German Revolution [1918]

• Situation by August 1918:
• Germans being starved out of the war by British blockades
• July: the Spring Offensive had failed, and a counter attack by the Allies brought them to the brink of defeat
• August: Public suffering increased by an influenza sweeping through Europe

* 29th Oct: German sailors refuse to set sail

-> Influenced by the Russian revolutions in 1917

-> German revolution begins

* Nov 4th: 40,000 join, setting up a worker and soldier s’ council, who take over the dockyard

-> Revolutions across Germany

* Nov 7th: thousands, led by Kurt Eisner, march into Bavaria’s state capital

~Local ruler flees

~Workers and peasants’ council set up

~Bavaria declared a people’s state

~Other parts of Germany – monarchy fled

* Nov 9th: Germany nears defeat in war. The Allies call for the Kaiser to leave

* Nov 10th: Kaiser abdicates

~The largest political party, the Social Democrats (SDP), form a new government

~Chancellor: Friedrich Ebert

* 11pm, Nov 11th: Armistice. Germany withdraws from al land conquered

The Weimar Republic [1918-33]

* Feb 1919: set up in the town of Weimar, because of social unrest in Berlin

* How it was set up:

~Council of People’s Representatives – temporary government formed by six social democrats

~Organized elections for a national assembly

~Aug 1919: drew up a new constitution

* Terms of the new constitution

~Local government run by the 18 regions of Germany, with local parliaments

~Central government given more power than before

~Reichstag: dominating house in parliament

• Members elected every 4 years

* Proportional representation: political parties given Reichstag seats in accordance to the percentage of votes received

* Laws could only be passed with two thirds of votes in favor from the Reichstag

* Chancellor: head of the government

~Chose ministers and ran the country

~Appointed by president

~Needed majority support from the Reichstag to pass laws

* President: elected every seven years

~ Did not take part in political activity

~ Was a powerful figure

~ Could dismiss Reichstag and call new elections

~ Article 48 enabled the president to suspend constitution and pass laws by decree

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