Abdication and Armistice

Question 1

When was WWI?

Answer 1

1914-1918

Question 2

How many German troops were killed and wounded in WWI?

Answer 2

2 million killed, 4 million wounded

Question 3

How did Germany’s debt increase because of the war?

Answer 3

debt in 1918 3x debt in 1914

Question 4

What did the British navy do in 1918 and what were the effects?

Answer 4

British navy blockaded German trade routes- prevented delivery of food.
Led to severe food shortages- 750,000 died from hunger

Question 5

What happened in Munich due to shortages?

Answer 5

Workers declared a general strike on 7th November 1918. Led by Jewish communist Kurt Eisner and announced they would separate from the rest of Germany.

Question 6

When and where did some members of the German navy mutiny due to shortages?

Answer 6

October 1918 in Keil and Hamburg. Refused to follow orders and fight the British. Final nail in coffin for Kaiser.

Question 7

Where did people protest and riot in the streets?

Answer 7

Stuttgart and Hanover

Question 8

What happened on the 9th November 1918?

Answer 8

Ministers told Kaiser Wilhelm II only way to restore order is to abdicate- refused at first.
Convinced to abdicate when lost support of senior military leaders (e.g. General Groener)

Question 9

Where did the Kaiser go the day after abdicating?

Answer 9

10th November- went into exile in Holland

Question 10

Who made an announcement on 9th Nov 1918?

Answer 10

Leading member of the SDP, Philip Scheidemann.
Told protestors outside Reichstag in Berlin that the Kaiser had abdicated and that a new republic would be set up.

Question 11

Why did Philip Scheidemann make his announcement?

Answer 11

He was told that armed rioters wanted to proclaim a communist government- was desperate to keep the peace and promote a more moderate government.

Question 12

What happened as soon as the Kaiser abdicated?

Answer 12

Role of chancellor passed from Max von Baden to Freidrich Ebert (leader of SDP)

Question 13

What did Ebert do the day after he was appointed chancellor? (2)

Answer 13

10th November
agreed with General Groener for the army and government to work together.
Ebert suspended the old Reichstag and formed the ‘Council of People’s Representatives’ - 6 moderate politicians to lead until a new constitution was agreed- avoid a communist revolution.

Question 14

What happened on the 11th November 1918?

Answer 14

Matthias Erzberger (representative of the new government) met with the leaders of the allied nations in a train carriage in France.
At 11am on the 11th November, he signed the armistice, the agreement to end WWI.

Question 15

How did some Germans respond to the signing of the armistice?

Answer 15

• betrayal of men who sacrificed their lives
• betrayal of Germany that had not lost in battle

Question 16

What steps did Ebert take to keep order and prevent uprising Nov 1918- July 1919? (4)

Answer 16

• Negotiated with trade unions- agreed to changes in working conditions to keep them on side
• Kept civil servants- ordered to work with soldiers and workers’ councils to keep collecting taxes, and running schools and public services
• Worked with industry- assured business leaders (e.g. coal and shipping) that he wouldn’t nationalise any industry (bring under state control)- allowed economy to recover
• Communicated with leaders of army- assured Groener that army would not be reformed and officers could keep ranks in return for support in keeping order

Question 17

What effect did Ebert’s efforts have on Germany’s stability?

Answer 17

He managed to get control of Germany in months following the armistice, although his control was weak. There was threat from extreme parties and public unrest.