Early Years of the Weimar Republic - The Role of Ebert

Question 1

What did Ebert become in November 1918?

Answer 1

The first Chancellor in the new German Republic

Question 2

When did Ebert become the first President of the German Republic?

Answer 2

1919

Question 3

Why was Ebert keen to establish a new constitution in Germany?

Answer 3

Because he believed the government lacked legitimacy and that evolutionary change could be achieved through winning a majority in parliamentary elections

Question 4

What did Ebert sign with the allies on 11th November 1918?

Answer 4

An armistice

Question 5

What happened directly after the armistice was signed in Germany?

Answer 5

Bands of angry, disillusioned and workless ex-soldiers roamed the streets and street demonstrations, strikes and armed clashes became regular occurrences

Question 6

What happened directly after the armistice was signed?

Answer 6

Band of angry, disillusioned and workless ex-soldiers roamed the streets and street demonstrations, strikes and armed clashes became regular occurrences

Question 7

What threatened Ebert’s efforts to contain a revolution from the left?

Answer 7

More radical changes from the left

Question 8

What did the survival of Ebert’s government depend on?

Answer 8

The support of the army

Question 9

Qualities of most army officers

Answer 9

Many came from aristocratic backgrounds
Many were loyal to the Kaiser
Many significantly opposed democracy
They had no wish to see Germany become a republic

Question 10

Why was the political situation in Germany unstable in late 1918?

Answer 10

Because it was believed that Germany faced a danger of a Bolshevik revolution (similar to communist revolution in Russia), which would lead to civil war and possible occupation from allied forces

Question 11

What was signed on November 10th 1919?

Answer 11

The Ebert-Groener Pact

Question 12

Purpose of the Ebert-Groener Pact

Answer 12

Ebert assured Groener that the government was determined to resist further revolution
General Groener assured Ebert that army leadership would support the government

Question 13

Why was the Ebert-Groener Pact seen as essential by Ebert?

Answer 13

Because he believed that it was necessary to ensure an orderly transition to the new Republic

Question 14

When did the Sparticist uprising occur?

Answer 14

January 1919

Question 15

What happened at the Sparticist uprising?

Answer 15

Spartacists (communists) launched an armed revolt against the government and after a week of heavy fighting in Berlin, it was crushed

Question 16

Ebert’s use of article 48 (3)

Answer 16

Used it 136 times
Some of these were necessary
However he also used this in non-emergency situations when he simply wanted to override Reichstag opposition