Impact Of War, The Political Crises Of October To November 1918, And Ghe Establishment Of The Weimar Constitution

Question 1

When was Kaiser Whilhelm II announced abdicated?

Answer 1

In Berlin, 9th November 1980 at 1:30pm

Question 2

By what time on the day Wilhelm’s abdication was announced was he forced to accept the abdication?

Answer 2

5pm

Question 3

What were Wilhelm’s 3 next steps after being forced to abdicate?

Answer 3

. Advised to travel north into Holland (neutral during WW1) for safety
. Just before dawn on 10th Nov, convoy of 10 cars (including Kaiser’s) set off to the Dutch border at Eysen.
. Royal party was kept waiting for 6 hours at border but then continued into Holland via a special train

Question 4

What did Wilhelm say when he met the German ambassador after his advocation?

Answer 4

‘I am a broken man. How can I begin life again? My prospects are hopeless. I have nothing left to believe in.’

Question 5

Despite Kaiser saying he was ‘broken’, what shows that he actually settled in fine after being abdicated?

Answer 5

He enjoyed a ‘good cup of English tea’ during Europe’s celebration of the armistice of 11th November 1918

Question 6

What was Germany’s state in WW1 by the end of 1918?

Answer 6

Allied armies hadn’t yet entered German territory but German forces were retreating along the Western Front

Question 7

What did Ludendorff have to do to avoid a humiliating surrender in WW1?

Answer 7

Had to ask the allies for an armistice

Question 8

What did Wilson’s 14 points offer and how did Ludendorff view them?

Answer 8

A basis for peace after WW1 but Ludendorff knew Germany’s autocratic political system wouldn’t work with this.

Question 9

What did Ludendorff do in response to Wilson’s proposed points and to get better peace terms?

Answer 9

He advocated a partial democratisation of the German political system.

Question 10

When was Germany created?

Answer 10

1871

Question 11

What were the democratic elements of the original German empire?

Answer 11

Reichstag:
. Members (deputies) elected by universal male suffrage.
. Could agree/reject laws proposed by Kaiser/government
. Couldn’t remove chancellor/ government
Electorate:
. Men over 25 voted in Reichstag elections every 3 years
. Voted for local state assemblies
Multi-party system:
. Reichstrat (ambassadors for all state governments)

Question 12

What were the undemocratic elements of the original German empire?

Answer 12

Kaiser(emperor):
. Hereditary monarch (kind of Prussia)
. Anointed/dismissed government
. Could dissolve Reichstag
. Controlled foreign policy and armed forces
Government - chancellor and other ministers:
. Anointed/dismissed by Kaiser
. Proposed new laws to Reichstag
. Not dependent upon support in Reichstag
Electorate:
. Women couldn’t vote (still not as bad as in Britain)
. Written constitution but no statement of individual rights

Question 13

How can the government of the original German empire be described?

Answer 13

Authoritarian government

Question 14

What are 4 features of democracy?

Answer 14

. Government chosen by the people
. Frequent free and fair elections
. Every adult has the right to vote
. People have basic civil liberties such as being able to criticise leaders

Question 15

What were the political parties during the Second Reich?

Answer 15

. Conservatives
. National liberals (moderate conservatives)
. Progressives (liberals)
. SPD (socialists)
. Z or centre party

Question 16

Which country did Germany have a rivalry with for a long time and which resentment was more recent?

Answer 16

France, Britain more recently

Question 17

Who do the roots of WW1 in Germany lead back to?

Answer 17

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Question 18

How did Kaiser Wilhelm II want to be viewed?

Answer 18

. As a strong leader (this meant the army was important to Germany)

Question 19

What did Kaiser Wilhelm II want for Germany?

Answer 19

For it to be seen as a respected world power

Question 20

What kind of man was Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Answer 20

Unstable and unpredictable, always felt the need to prove himself

Question 21

What happened at Kaiser Wilhelm II’s birth?

Answer 21

Had an accident which left him with a withered arm, partly deaf and poor balance

Question 22

How did Kaiser’s parents treat his disabilities?

Answer 22

They tried electric shocks and a special brace because weakness wasn’t an option for a future Kaiser. These treatments didn’t physically help the Kaiser but changed his personality

Question 23

How did Kaiser’s parents treat him?

Answer 23

They were strict to him - his tutor was told to make no allowances when Kaiser was being taught to ride, even when he was only 8

Question 24

How did Kaiser’s riding tutor treat him?

Answer 24

Compelled Wilhelm to keep learning to ride despite his poor balance. Weeks later, Kaiser got his balance

Question 25

What was Wilhelm’s relationship with his mother like?

Answer 25

Strange, wrote letters like you would with your partner

Question 26

How was Kaiser Wilhelm II involved in England?

Answer 26

. Was sent to visit Queen Victoria on holidays (her grandson) and would have playground trenches and miniature forts
. Jealous of Britains empire, especially their navy, and wanted his own

Question 27

When did Wilhelm join the army and how did it make him feel?

Answer 27

When he was 18, felt at home despite problems with his arm

Question 28

When did Wilhelm become the Kaiser of Germany?

Answer 28

1888

Question 29

What century was the Industrial Revolution in Britain?

Answer 29

19th century

Question 30

By the start of the 20th century, how had Germany and USA led industrial developments?

Answer 30

. Motor vehicles
. Electricity (lights)
. Aircraft’s
. New guns
.

Question 31

How did the naval arms race between Britain and Germany arise?

Answer 31

In 1905, huge fleets of warships came about due to industrial developments. In 1906, Britain created the Dreadnaught battleship. As Wilhelm was jealous of this powerful navy, he decided to announce that Germany would be building 4 Dreadnaught’s.

Question 32

What did the Kaiser and his generals believe in?

Answer 32

German supremacy: wanted an empire to rival British and French empires

Question 33

How did Berlin population grow under new Kaiser?

Answer 33

In 30 years, Berlin went to a town of 700,000 to a city over 2 million

Question 34

What did industrial development of factories attract in Germany and how was this a problem for the Kaiser?

Answer 34

Attracted workers, however these workers weren’t interested in Empire. They wanted a share in Germany’s wealth and a better standard of living. Wilhelm rejected these calls for reform and talk of war arose - Britain and Europe worried about the tensions with the Kaiser

Question 35

What is foreign policy?

Answer 35

A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations

Question 36

What was the saying to show that the Kaiser wanted an empire?

Answer 36

He wanted a ‘place in the sun’

Question 37

What were the naval laws under the Kaiser called?

Answer 37

Veltpolotik

Question 38

What are four features of socialism?

Answer 38

. Not as far as communism
. Higher taxes on the rich
. Promotes equality
. Suitable for workers as wealth is split

Question 39

How did the rise of socialism occur?

Answer 39

From risen taxes

Question 40

How did the Kaiser view the rise of socialism?

Answer 40

Threat to his power