The Birth of the Weimar Republic

1. Why was it called the Weimar Republic and not the Berlin Republic?
It was called the Weimar Republic because it was based in Weimar.

2. What new rights did Friedrich Ebert promise the German people?
Freedom of press, religion, speech, and work

3. Hey, a democracy. Sounds great! Why was this a shock to the Germany peoples' systems?
For a long time, they had been ruled by a king, or a Kaiser. Democracy was something new for them.

4. What positions did the opposition on the right hold that restricted Friedrich Ebert's new government?
The opposition on the right held positions in the courts.

5. What was the name of "powerful myth" that developed and what "evidence" was there to support the myth?
this myth was called the

6. Study Source 3: What position was Ebert elected to in Jan. 1919? Who elected him?
Ebert was elected to the position of Chancellor.

7. Study Source 3: How would a Chancellor gain power in the Weimar Republic? (Why you need to know this: By 1933 Hitler will have this job.)
The chancellor must be elected by the people,

Impact of WWI on Germany

Political Challenges
fighting political opposition from both the left and the right.
fighting

Social Challenges

• huge gap bewteen rich and poor
• women working in factories
• opposition from soldiers

Economic Challenges

• worthless currency
• industry at 66% of normal
• income at 33% of normal
• huge gap between rich and poor

The German Revolution

1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.

British Ships had cut off the people from food imports, and due to the cold winter, potatoes were destroyed, forcing people to live off turnips instead. there were many protests, and several were shut down by police brutality.

2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.

British ships had cut off all trade by sea, and there was a coal shortage.

3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.

Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated for several reasons. The first reason was because none of his generals supported him. The second was because the entire nation had gone through a revolution against him.

4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."

Almost every city in Germany underwent a revolution against the established order of Kaiser Wilhelm. It all started in the city of Kiel. It then spread throughout Germany.

5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?

All three groups had the same objectives: improving workers' conditions, and giving democratic rights to all Germans.

6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.

Each of the groups had a different way of completing their objective. The Social Democratic Party wanted to support the government and pass reforms through parliament. The Independent Socialists wanted to oppose the government, forcing it to make reforms through organized strikes. The Spartacists wanted to overthrow the government in a revolution, setting up councils of workers and soldiers.

7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919. You should be able to find six events.

November 10, 1918: Friedrich Ebert takes power.

November 12, 1918: Friedrich Ebert issues a statement promising freedom of speech and religion and an 8 hour work day.

December 23, 1918: Friedrich Ebert is taken hostage by 1000 hungry and underpaid sailors.

December 31, 1918: The Spartacists renamed themselves The German Communist Party and decided to work for a revolution.

January 6, 1919: The German Communist Party begins its revolution.

January 10, 1919: Two thousand members of the Free Corps. attacked the German Communist Party in Berlin.

January 15, 1919: The Free Corps. arrest the leaders of the German Communist Party. They are savagely beaten, then executed.

8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.

I think that the weeks preceding December 23, 1918 were the Communists best chance of seizing power. This is because, even though Friedrich Ebert had issued his statement, the people were still hungry and underpaid. If the Communists had used this anger and turned the people against Friedrich Ebert, they could have used them to orchestrate a successful coup.